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[Ubisoft on offense in novelist lawsuit, files to throw out claims]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/ubisoft-on-offense-in-novelist-lawsuit-files-to-throw-out-claim/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/ubisoft-on-offense-in-novelist-lawsuit-files-to-throw-out-claim/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/ubisoft-on-offense-in-novelist-lawsuit-files-to-throw-out-claim/#comments ImageUbisoft has filed a complaint to prevent novelist John Beiswenger from renewing his claims that the Assassin's Creed universe stole ideas from his novel, Link. Beiswenger first sued Ubisoft in April, but dropped the lawsuit earlier this week because he couldn't handle the expense of litigation.

Beiswenger dismissed the Ubisoft case "without prejudice," meaning he can pick up the charges and pursue litigation at any time, and Ubisoft is looking to have the case found "frivolous and without merit," Gamasutra reports.

Ubisoft's complaint argues that Beiswenger's claims of copyright infringement are based on "patently non-copyrightable elements." His claims include "assassins" and "spiritual and biblical tones."

JoystiqUbisoft on offense in novelist lawsuit, files to throw out claims originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-3copyright-infringementjohn-beiswengerlawsuitmicrosoftpcplaystationps3suedUbisoftxboxThu, 31 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Rabbids get into a Rumble on 3DS in November]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/the-rabbids-get-into-a-rumble-on-3ds-in-november/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/the-rabbids-get-into-a-rumble-on-3ds-in-november/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/the-rabbids-get-into-a-rumble-on-3ds-in-november/#comments ImageUbisoft is gearing up to unleash the Rabbids once again. Rabbids Rumble, a minigame collection with a solo campaign and multiplayer turn-based battles, launches on the 3DS this November.

Using StreetPass, players can discover new Rabbids and train 'em up, unlocking new combat abilities. StreetPass also lets players "share scores, gain training bonuses and compete in battles to unlock new Rabbids and items."

Gallery: Rabbids Rumble (3DS)

Continue reading The Rabbids get into a Rumble on 3DS in November

JoystiqThe Rabbids get into a Rumble on 3DS in November originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsnintendorabbidsrabbids-rumblerelease-dateubisoftThu, 31 May 2012 18:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed 3 Ubiworkshop Edition has 500 pages for $100]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/assassins-creed-3-ubiworkshop-edition-has-500-pages-for-100/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/assassins-creed-3-ubiworkshop-edition-has-500-pages-for-100/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/assassins-creed-3-ubiworkshop-edition-has-500-pages-for-100/#comments ImageThe Assassin's Creed 3 Ubiworkshop Edition will include the Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia Second Edition and Assassin's Creed Subject 4, a compilation of the graphic novels The Fall and The Chain. It will also include the game, but when you have an encyclopedia and some comic books, what self-respecting nerd needs video games?

The Ubiworkshop Edition is for Xbox 360 and PS3 and costs $100 in a special pre-order price, valid through July 4, and $110 following that completely random day, exclusively on Ubiworkshop. Ubisoft promises this edition includes more than 500 pages of narrative content: The encyclopedia alone runs $50 and each comic is $20 separately on Ubiworkshop, so on top of a $60 game, this edition is a steal.

JoystiqAssassin's Creed 3 Ubiworkshop Edition has 500 pages for $100 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-3Assassins-Creed-3-Ubiworkshop-EditionAssassins-Creed-Subject-4assassins-creed-the-chainassassins-creed-the-fallencyclopediagraphic-novelmicrosoftplaystationps3UbisoftUbiworkshopxboxThu, 31 May 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: UK retailers list Assassin's Creed 3 and 'Ghost Recon: Final Mission' for Vita]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/report-uk-retailers-list-assassins-creed-3-and-ghost-recon-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/report-uk-retailers-list-assassins-creed-3-and-ghost-recon-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/report-uk-retailers-list-assassins-creed-3-and-ghost-recon-f/#comments ImageGameSpot reports that UK retailer Play.com posted a listing for an unannounced Vita game called Ghost Recon: Final Mission, which has since been removed.

Concurrently, retailer Zavvi posted a listing for a Vita version of Assassin's Creed 3 - Ubisoft announced an Assassin's Creed game being in the works for Vita last August, alongside games like Dungeon Hunter, Lumines, and Rayman Origins that have all since been released. The Zavvi listing remains active.

We'll check with Ubisoft; however, for an actual status update about these games, we're sure we'll need only to wait for E3.

JoystiqReport: UK retailers list Assassin's Creed 3 and 'Ghost Recon: Final Mission' for Vita originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-3ghost-recon-final-missionplay.complaystationplaystation-vitareportubisoftukvitazavviWed, 30 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lawsuit alleging copyright infringement in Assassin's Creed dropped, Gametrailers settles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/lawsuit-alleging-copyright-infringement-in-assassins-creed-drop/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/lawsuit-alleging-copyright-infringement-in-assassins-creed-drop/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/lawsuit-alleging-copyright-infringement-in-assassins-creed-drop/#comments ImageNovelist John Beiswenger has dropped the lawsuit against Ubisoft, in which he alleged the Assassin's Creed universe stole ideas from one of his books, Link. Gametrailers, whom Beiswenger sued in the same case, settled with the author on May 18 under undisclosed terms.

Beiswenger voluntarily dismissed all action against Ubisoft before any formal adjudication on the validity of his claims could begin - the Internet made up its mind about his claims a while ago. Beiswenger has dropped the case, citing the expense of federal litigation:

"I filed the Complaint and Motion for Preliminary Injunction in federal court because I believe authors should vigorously defend their rights in their creative works; otherwise, the laws protecting them simply have no purpose," Beiswenger's official statement reads. "Regrettably, the resources required to defend those rights are unavailable to many individual creators. As a result, rampant infringement is occurring with impunity."

Beiswenger was seeking $5.25 million in damages and the potential cessation of all Assassin's Creed endeavors, including the third game currently due out in October. Beiswenger filed the dismissal "without prejudice," meaning he can pick up the claims and the case again in the future.

If he ever does, we don't think Ubisoft will sweat it too much; the Internet has already done most of the debunking already, unless Beiswenger can somehow prove that he owns the rights to "spiritual and biblical tones" or "assassinations."

Continue reading Lawsuit alleging copyright infringement in Assassin's Creed dropped, Gametrailers settles

JoystiqLawsuit alleging copyright infringement in Assassin's Creed dropped, Gametrailers settles originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2012 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-3bookscasegametrailersjohn-beiswengerlawsuitmicrosoftnintendonovelistpcplaystationps3suedUbisoftwii-uxboxTue, 29 May 2012 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft addresses lack of split-screen co-op in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/ubisoft-addresses-lack-of-split-screen-co-op-in-ghost-recon-fut/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/ubisoft-addresses-lack-of-split-screen-co-op-in-ghost-recon-fut/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/ubisoft-addresses-lack-of-split-screen-co-op-in-ghost-recon-fut/#comments ImageLiving-room soldiers looking to team up with a real-life buddy for some Ghost Recon: Future Soldier couch co-op may be sorely disappointed once they discover that split-screen multiplayer doesn't exist for the game's campaign mode, despite various online retailers (including Ubisoft's own UbiShop) purporting the game's support of that very feature.

"We've been made aware of the presence of outdated information on UbiShop and several retailer sites stating split screen, cooperative play is available in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier's campaign," Ubisoft forum manager EvilPixieGrr said in an update on the publisher's forums. "We have ensured the information has been updated on the sites affected by this."

Luckily for Ubisoft, Future Soldier's actual retail box art does not sing the praises of local campaign co-op.

[Thanks, Keith!]

JoystiqUbisoft addresses lack of split-screen co-op in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campaignco-opGhost-Recon-Future-Soldierlocal-multiplayermicrosoftpcplaystationps3ubisoftUbisoft-Parisubisoft-red-stormxboxSat, 26 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed: The Chain comic out this summer, sequel to AC: The Fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/assassins-creed-the-chain-comic-out-this-summer-sequel-to-ac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/assassins-creed-the-chain-comic-out-this-summer-sequel-to-ac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/assassins-creed-the-chain-comic-out-this-summer-sequel-to-ac/#comments ImageKarl Kerschl and Cameron Stewart are teaming up again to pen a new Assassin's Creed comic called Assassin's Creed: The Chain. It's a sequel to the duo's previous effort, Assassin's Creed: The Fall; however, The Chain also "sheds a new light on Assassin's Creed 3."

Not much else is known about this new comic right now, but if you want to pre-order it anyway, Ubisoft has unsheathed a pre-order page where you can drop $19.95 right now.

JoystiqAssassin's Creed: The Chain comic out this summer, sequel to AC: The Fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-3assassins-creed-the-chainassassins-creed-the-fallcomicmicrosoftpcplaystationps3ubisoftxboxFri, 25 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mad Riders is a game with races]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/mad-riders-is-a-game-with-races/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/mad-riders-is-a-game-with-races/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/mad-riders-is-a-game-with-races/#comments Image
Techland proves its trailer-making chops once again with this announcement of a teaser trailer for the actual trailer of Mad Riders, touting features like:
  • races (you like games with races, don't you?)
  • trees
  • 74.6FPS
  • VERY HD
Marvel at the motion-captured vehicle wheels! Enjoy the quick in-joke at Techland's own expense! Remember that Mad Riders exists, long after you've seen this.

JoystiqMad Riders is a game with races originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hastemad-ridersmicrosoftpcplaystationps3techlandubisoftxboxFri, 25 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Shootmania Storm trailer simultaneously touts the game and its editing tools [update: beta registrations open]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/shootmania-storm-trailer-simultaneously-touts-the-game-and-its-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/shootmania-storm-trailer-simultaneously-touts-the-game-and-its-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/shootmania-storm-trailer-simultaneously-touts-the-game-and-its-e/#comments Image
Nadeo's Shootmania Storm is part of the "ManiaPlanet" series - basically, it's like Trackmania, but a shooter. That means an emphasis on a powerful, easy-to-use editor, which is evidently powerful enough to create every shot in this trailer.

As for the game itself, the trailer presents a high-speed, arcade-style shooter that substitutes lasers and a cool disintegration effect for bullets and blood, in order to achieve a 12+ rating (and a fun atmosphere) - because making a human body disappear entirely is fine, of course.

Update: Beta registrations are now open.

Continue reading Shootmania Storm trailer simultaneously touts the game and its editing tools [update: beta registrations open]

JoystiqShootmania Storm trailer simultaneously touts the game and its editing tools [update: beta registrations open] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nadeopcshootmaniashootmania-stormubisoftWed, 23 May 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Far Cry 3's 'Insane Edition' contains the best bobblehead, exclusive to Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/far-cry-3s-insane-edition-contains-the-best-bobblehead/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/far-cry-3s-insane-edition-contains-the-best-bobblehead/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/far-cry-3s-insane-edition-contains-the-best-bobblehead/#comments Image
It's official: Europe is getting the coolest version of Far Cry 3, replete with the amazing bobblehead seen in the trailer above. Is that star of stage and screen Michael Mando with a goatee and hula skirt? Sure is!

Beyond the facsimile of Mando, buyers of the so-called "Insane Edition" get "exclusive survival kit packaging" (a cloth book), an "essential island survival guide," and "access to all unlockable content" (which includes the in-game content that pre-orders get in the US). Considering the "Insane Edition" is just £15 more than the standard "Lost Expeditions Edition" at £49.85 (at least in the UK - we're waiting on EU pricing), we're thinking it's worth the dough. Perhaps you haven't looked hard enough at that bobblehead? Really explore that space.

JoystiqFar Cry 3's 'Insane Edition' contains the best bobblehead, exclusive to Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bobbleheadcollectors-editionfar-cry-3insane-editionmicrosoftpcplaystationps3ubisoftxboxWed, 23 May 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon: Future Soldier review: More than just a soldier]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/ghost-recon-future-soldier-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/ghost-recon-future-soldier-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/ghost-recon-future-soldier-review/#comments Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is a game that, at first glance, may seem like an advertisement for 'murica's armed forces circa 20XX. "Sign up. You can rock Pantera in the barracks, blow up helicopters and assassinate evil warlords every day," I imagined the end credits might read.

But between every clichéd cutscene, showing the four members of Ghost squad swilling beer and talking car engines while they wait for their next mission, are a bounty of excellent gameplay scenarios: VIPs to rescue, things to blow up and stealth missions that require diligent adherence to caution and calculation rather than simply making sure you move slowly and stay out of sight. No two missions in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier are the same, and the diversity in locales and armaments means there's always something new to see - and shoot.

Continue reading Ghost Recon: Future Soldier review: More than just a soldier

JoystiqGhost Recon: Future Soldier review: More than just a soldier originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ghost-Recon-Future-Soldiermicrosoftplaystationps3ubisoftubisoft-parisubisoft-red-stormubisoft-romaniaxboxTue, 22 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Babel Rising should've been named 'Babel Falling,' this trailer suggests]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/babel-rising-shouldve-been-named-babel-falling-this-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/babel-rising-shouldve-been-named-babel-falling-this-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/babel-rising-shouldve-been-named-babel-falling-this-trailer/#comments
Image

What would life be like if you could fell entire civilizations with a flick of your wrist, crush hordes of men with a downward swat and destroy worlds with a ridiculous, wide-armed downhill skiing motion? You'd either be Lord Voldemort, or you'd be playing Babel Rising on Kinect, like the stylish young man in the video above.

Babel Rising is set to launch in June for PlayStation Move and Xbox 360's Kinect.

JoystiqBabel Rising should've been named 'Babel Falling,' this trailer suggests originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babel-risingkinectmandomicrosoftmoveplaystationps3UbisoftvoldemortxboxTue, 22 May 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Beyond Good & Evil 2 leaked screens are fishy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/rumor-beyond-good-and-evil-2-leaked-screens-are-fishy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/rumor-beyond-good-and-evil-2-leaked-screens-are-fishy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/rumor-beyond-good-and-evil-2-leaked-screens-are-fishy/#comments ImageOne leaked screenshot of Beyond Good & Evil 2 isn't cool. Do you know what's cool? Try three leaked pictures of the fabled Ubisoft game, found by All Games Beta.

Our rumor gauge is at an appropriate level for this one, especially since Jade is standing unusually close to fresh fish in one of the pictures. Check out the gallery below!

Gallery: Beyond Good & Evil 2 (Rumor)

JoystiqRumor: Beyond Good & Evil 2 leaked screens are fishy originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beyond-good-and-evil-2bge2UbisoftSun, 20 May 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Expiring trademarks suggest trouble for Brothers in Arms: Furious 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/expiring-trademarks-suggest-trouble-for-brothers-in-arms-furiou/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/expiring-trademarks-suggest-trouble-for-brothers-in-arms-furiou/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/expiring-trademarks-suggest-trouble-for-brothers-in-arms-furiou/#comments ImageBrothers in Arms: Furious 4 may be in trouble. Some lapsing trademarks for the its title intimate the Gearbox-developed game is all but abandoned (or the name is changing), and our inquiries into Gearbox Software have yet to be answered. "We don't have anything to share at this point in time," an Ubisoft representative told Joystiq.

Brothers in Arms: Furious 4 was announced at last year's E3 ... and then that was it. We didn't hear a single thing after that preliminary announcement, even though the game was given a tentative 2012 launch window. Right now a cancelation isn't confirmed, but it's looking like these four will have something to be really furious about soon enough.

JoystiqExpiring trademarks suggest trouble for Brothers in Arms: Furious 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brothers-in-arms-the-furious-4gearboxgearbox-softwaremicrosoftpcplaystationps3ubisoftusptoxboxFri, 18 May 2012 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Techland's Mad Riders touches down on PSN May 29, XBLA/PC on May 30]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/techlands-mad-riders-touches-down-on-psn-may-29-xbla-pc-on-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/techlands-mad-riders-touches-down-on-psn-may-29-xbla-pc-on-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/techlands-mad-riders-touches-down-on-psn-may-29-xbla-pc-on-may/#comments Image
If you've somehow managed to get your fill of Trials Evolution's dusty peaks and valleys already, Techland's latest, Mad Riders, may be perfect for you. And hey, the game is set to launch on May 30 according to the latest trailer. That's pretty soon!

Like Trials before it, Mad Riders is a digital-only title, but unlike Trials, it's not limited to a single console (Mad Riders is headed to PSN, XBLA, and PC). It'll be available one day earlier for PSN users on May 29, and May 30 on XBLA and PC, but it'll cost the same on all three: a cool $10. Techland describes that as "an awesome game for the price of a pizza," though we'd warn the studio against devaluing its games as such. What kind of pizza are you gonna get for $10? Terrible pizza, that's what!

JoystiqTechland's Mad Riders touches down on PSN May 29, XBLA/PC on May 30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hastemad-ridersmicrosoftpcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnq2-2012release-datetechlandubisoftxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeFri, 18 May 2012 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Far Cry 3 kicks off a two-week closed beta this summer on PS3, Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/far-cry-3-kicks-off-a-two-week-closed-beta-this-summer-on-ps3-x/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/far-cry-3-kicks-off-a-two-week-closed-beta-this-summer-on-ps3-x/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/far-cry-3-kicks-off-a-two-week-closed-beta-this-summer-on-ps3-x/#comments GameStop PowerUp Rewards members who pick up Ghost Recon: Future Soldier on May 22 at, well, GameStop, will receive a code to participate in a planned closed multiplayer beta for Far Cry 3, Ubisoft announced today. The beta will kick off this summer and last two weeks on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

If you don't want to buy Ghost Recon, Ubisoft will also be giving away 500 codes through Facebook. It sounds like this is going to be a pretty big beta, so best of luck to those looking for entry. Ubisoft will announce the specific window for Far Cry 3's closed beta at a later date.

Gallery: Far Cry 3 (Multiplayer)

Continue reading Far Cry 3 kicks off a two-week closed beta this summer on PS3, Xbox 360

JoystiqFar Cry 3 kicks off a two-week closed beta this summer on PS3, Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 May 2012 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betafar-cry-3far-cry-3-betagamestopgamestop-powerup-rewardsmicrosoftplaystationps3ubisoftxboxThu, 17 May 2012 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Trials Evolution moves half a million in just three weeks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/trials-evolution-moves-half-a-million-in-just-three-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/trials-evolution-moves-half-a-million-in-just-three-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/trials-evolution-moves-half-a-million-in-just-three-weeks/#comments ImageScreaming at monitors while attempting to make just one more crushingly difficult checkpoint is apparently a pastime shared by many, many gamers. This week, Ubisoft revealed that the latest Trials franchise entry - Trials Evolution - sold approximately 500,000 units since its launch in mid-April.

Sure, it's no Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, but half a million sales in less than a month is quite impressive for a title on Xbox Live Arcade. How impressive, you ask? Well, we'd love to tell you, but Microsoft doesn't release sales numbers for XBLA games. Those rascals! For context's sake, though, we'd point out that it took just over a year for the first Trials game on XBLA to hit 1 million units sold. We get the feeling it'll take a bit less time with Evolution.

In the same slide, RedLynx is called out as having many brands with "great multiplatform potential." A quick glance at RedLynx's catalog confirms our suspicion that Trials is indeed the Finnish studio's biggest "brand." How about that!

JoystiqTrials Evolution moves half a million in just three weeks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftredlynxsalestrials-evolutionubisoftxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-sale-on-psn-has-some-big-titles-at-tiny-prices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-sale-on-psn-has-some-big-titles-at-tiny-prices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-sale-on-psn-has-some-big-titles-at-tiny-prices/#comments ImageUbisoft is celebrating the gorgeous, inviting weather of May with a sale on PSN titles designed to keep you indoors for days. Today through May 22, a large Ubisoft lineup is 30 percent off for standard PSN users and 50 percent off for PlayStation Plus members.

Titles include Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Scott Pilgrim, Prince of Persia Classic Trilogy HD and Far Cry 2, among other full games and DLC packs. Check out the full list and prices below, you hermit.

Continue reading Ubisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices

JoystiqUbisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationplaystation-plusps3PSNsalescott-pilgrim-vs-the-worldUbisoftTue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft profits in 2012, 'core gamers' drive rise in sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-profits-in-2012-core-gamers-drive-rise-in-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-profits-in-2012-core-gamers-drive-rise-in-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-profits-in-2012-core-gamers-drive-rise-in-sales/#comments ImageUbisoft ended the 2012 financial year on the up, reporting a gross profit of €718 million ($917 million) and sales up 2.1 percent to €1 billion ($1.4 billion) year-over-year, according to its financial results for 2011-2012.

Ubisoft ended fiscal 2011-12 with net income of €37.3 million ($47.6 million), up from a net loss of €52.1 million ($66.5 million) in the 2011 fiscal year.

Sales from "core gamers" in Assassin's Creed Revelations, Rayman Origins, Driver San Francisco and free-to-play title The Settlers Online generated €578 million ($738.1 million) in revenue, Ubisoft reported. Casual games brought in €483 million ($616.8 million) in revenue, mainly from Just Dance, Rocksmith and free-to-play title Howrse.

Core and casual titles contributed to a 110.8 percent jump in online and digital sales, bringing that figure to €80 million ($102.1 million), Ubisoft reported.

Ubisoft's net cash position is down from €99.2 million ($126.6 million) in 2011 to €84.6 million ($108 million) in 2012, while current operating income rose 90 percent to €56 million ($71.5 million) year-over-year.

JoystiqUbisoft profits in 2012, 'core gamers' drive rise in sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financialsfy-2012kinectmicrosoftmovenintendopcplaystationps3UbisoftwiixboxTue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft expects next-gen consoles to integrate 'item based model']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-expects-next-gen-consoles-to-integrate-item-based-model/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-expects-next-gen-consoles-to-integrate-item-based-model/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-expects-next-gen-consoles-to-integrate-item-based-model/#comments Ubisoft likely knows more about the next generation of consoles than we all do, thanks to working on games for them and stuff, and it sees them going in a social gaming-oriented direction. The company's earnings release features an outlook for the next year, in which Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expects to see an increase of 25-61% in operating income.

Beyond that, Guillemot expects growth due to two trends: first, "the forthcoming arrival of the next generation of consoles which will be increasingly connected and will strongly boost the market thanks to a new qualitative leap and the integration of social games benefits and the item based model," and free-to-play games.

The "item based model" sounds like a trend bleeding over from free-to-play games, in which games are sold for free (or cheap) and microtransactions bring in revenue through the sale of in-game items. We have seen this outside of the free-to-play world in this generation, in the form of costume sales and the occasional weapon unlock; however, if Guillemot expects it to be a significant source of income on consoles, it's likely to be even more emphasized in the next generation.

JoystiqUbisoft expects next-gen consoles to integrate 'item based model' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfree-to-playMicrotransactionsnext-generationubisoftyves-guillemotTue, 15 May 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch the entire Ghost Recon Alpha short film]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/watch-the-entire-ghost-recon-alpha-short-film/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/watch-the-entire-ghost-recon-alpha-short-film/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/watch-the-entire-ghost-recon-alpha-short-film/#comments
Image

If you appreciate violent art in forms other than gaming, you'll probably enjoy the desaturated bullet frenzy of Ghost Recon Alpha. If you think gaming is the only pure way to portray murderous creativity, wait until Ghost Recon: Future Soldier drops May 22 and silence the critique.

JoystiqWatch the entire Ghost Recon Alpha short film originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghost-recon-alphaGhost-Recon-Future-Soldiermicrosoftpcplaystationps3short-filmUbisoftxboxMon, 14 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon: Future Soldier's 'Arctic Strike' DLC due in July]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/ghost-recon-future-soldiers-arctic-strike-dlc-due-in-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/ghost-recon-future-soldiers-arctic-strike-dlc-due-in-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/ghost-recon-future-soldiers-arctic-strike-dlc-due-in-july/#comments ImageGhost Recon: Future Soldier's future soldiers had better bundle up, as Ubisoft's just-announced "Arctic Strike" DLC sounds like it'll require more than just a camouflaged windbreaker when it arrives on July 3. The DLC runs 800 MS Points or $10 on 360 and PS3 (respectively), and the PC version ... well, it seems not to exist. We've asked Ubi what's up with that.

The pack contains an unknown number of multiplayer maps, a new co-op "Guerrilla Mode" map, six new weapons, and an additional multiplayer mode. Ubi unfortunately hasn't shown anything of the content aside from the single image you see above, but presumably we'll hear more after the game's launch.

Continue reading Ghost Recon: Future Soldier's 'Arctic Strike' DLC due in July

JoystiqGhost Recon: Future Soldier's 'Arctic Strike' DLC due in July originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arctic-strikedlcdownloadable-contentGhost-Recon-Future-Soldiermicrosoftplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnubisoftxboxxbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceFri, 11 May 2012 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumored Beyond Good & Evil 2 screen has Jade looking awfully lonely]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/rumored-beyond-good-and-evil-2-screen-has-jade-looking-awfully-lon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/rumored-beyond-good-and-evil-2-screen-has-jade-looking-awfully-lon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/rumored-beyond-good-and-evil-2-screen-has-jade-looking-awfully-lon/#comments ImageWhere's a Starkos machine when you need one?

Gallery: Rumor: Beyond Good & Evil 2

JoystiqRumored Beyond Good & Evil 2 screen has Jade looking awfully lonely originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beyond-good-and-evil-2bge2michel-ancelubisoftThu, 10 May 2012 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch Connor face down a damn bear in Assassin's Creed 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/watch-connor-fight-a-damn-bear-in-assassins-creed-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/watch-connor-fight-a-damn-bear-in-assassins-creed-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/watch-connor-fight-a-damn-bear-in-assassins-creed-3/#comments Image
You'll be doing a lot of things with Assassin's Creed 3 protagonist Ratohnhaké:ton - like chasing down Redcoats and murdering them, running away from murderous Redcoats, sneaking up to silently murder Redcoats, and engaging in open battle with Redcoats. Beyond all that, however, you'll also be fighting terrifying, wild bears, as the trailer above implies. Thankfully for you, we can confirm it: yes, you'll be fighting the bear seen in the above trailer.

The gameplay trailer for Assassin's Creed 3 - unlocked by the community this morning - shows the first Connor-on-Bear action we've seen. It also gives a first glimpse at the game's new "chain blade," but the most important part is still dude fights a bear.

JoystiqWatch Connor face down a damn bear in Assassin's Creed 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-3bearmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3ubisoftubisoft-annecyubisoft-montrealwii-uxboxThu, 10 May 2012 11:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth on Kinect and Wii U from Ubisoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/marvel-avengers-battle-for-earth-on-kinect-and-wii-u-from-ubiso/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/marvel-avengers-battle-for-earth-on-kinect-and-wii-u-from-ubiso/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/marvel-avengers-battle-for-earth-on-kinect-and-wii-u-from-ubiso/#comments ImageUbisoft and Marvel are partnering on an Avengers game for ... Kinect and Wii U? It's an unlikely pairing - the controller-free format and the format with a giant controller and an extraneous screen; but for a franchise that pairs a half-naked monster man with an armored plutocrat, perhaps it's appropriate.

Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth is in the works at Ubisoft Quebec, and will allow players to use motion controls to fight off the alien Skrull. "The idea that we're making a motion-control version of 'The Avengers' is a unique proposition if you compare that to superhero games of the past," said Ubisoft marketing VP Tony Key, as reported by the Washington Post. "This is the perfect type of game for that because these characters are very action oriented. They're always fighting and throwing things." Those rowdy kids.

As suggested by the Skrull invasion storyline, the game deviates from the movie, instead drawing from the "Secret Invasion" comic crossover event, which featured Skrulls posing as Earth superheroes.

JoystiqMarvel Avengers: Battle for Earth on Kinect and Wii U from Ubisoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avengerskinectmarvel-avengers-battle-for-earthnintendothe-avengersubisoftubisoft-quebecwii-uxboxThu, 10 May 2012 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Novelist suing over Assassin's Creed has his lawyer respond to gamer rage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/novelist-suing-over-assassins-creed-has-his-lawyer-respond-to-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/novelist-suing-over-assassins-creed-has-his-lawyer-respond-to-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/novelist-suing-over-assassins-creed-has-his-lawyer-respond-to-g/#comments ImageAuthor John Beiswenger poked the sleeping dragon that is the Internet when he filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft, claiming the Assassin's Creed franchise infringes on copyrights in his novel, Link. Namely, Beiswenger says Assassin's Creed stole themes such as "assassinations," "spiritual and biblical tones" and a battle between good and evil from Link, which was published five years prior to the first Assassin's Creed title.

Beiswenger is seeking up to $5.25 million in damages. The lawsuit could also delay the release of Assassin's Creed 3, a fact that wiped the grins from many a gamer's face and set a few (hundred) to review-bombing Beiswenger's Amazon pages.

Beiswenger's lawyer, Kelley Keller, has now responded to Eurogamer on the negative reaction and her client's claims:
"We understand that many gamers are upset about the litigation and potential for delay in the release of the next Assassin's Creed video game, and as a result of that anger have been posting negative comments on Amazon - and other forums - about our client and his novel Link. However, copyright laws exist to protect authors and creators from others who copy or create works that are, under the law, substantially similar; failure to enforce copyright laws renders them meaningless.

"The Amazon 'bombing,' storm of negative comments and threats to our client have no bearing on the appropriateness, merits or outcome of this suit. They have no material effect on the legal claims."
Keller says she believes the similarities in Link and Assassin's Creed are more than coincidence and that despite the five-year delay in filing charges, the lawsuit was brought within an applicable time period.

We don't know about you guys, but the only applicable time periods we see here are the American Revolution, and October 2012.

JoystiqNovelist suing over Assassin's Creed has his lawyer respond to gamer rage originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-3authorcopyrightjohn-beiswengerlawsuitlawyermicrosoftnovelistpcplaystationps3sueUbisoftxboxWed, 09 May 2012 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[I Am Alive tops April PSN downloads, just one Vita game charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/i-am-alive-tops-april-psn-downloads-just-one-vita-game-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/i-am-alive-tops-april-psn-downloads-just-one-vita-game-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/i-am-alive-tops-april-psn-downloads-just-one-vita-game-charts/#comments ImageUbisoft's post-apocalypse third-person-survivor I Am Alive apparently struck a chord with PlayStation 3 owners last month, topping the PlayStation Network's download charts for April 2012, even edging out March's big PSN release, Journey.

The Walking Dead's game adaptation from Telltale managed more than a shambling start as well, taking up two spots on the top 10 with the season pass and first episode in third and fifth place, respectively. Just one Vita title landed on the list, Escape Plan, in the number 10 spot. All of this information - and more! - can be found in the latest PlayStation "Pulse" video, which we've dropped just below the break.

Continue reading I Am Alive tops April PSN downloads, just one Vita game charts

JoystiqI Am Alive tops April PSN downloads, just one Vita game charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>escape-plani-am-alivejourneyplaystationplaystation-networkplaystation-vitaps3psnpulsetelltale-gamesthat-game-companythatgamecompanythe-walking-deadtop-10ubisoftvitaWed, 09 May 2012 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Future Shop has exclusive Future Soldier bundle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/future-shop-has-exclusive-future-soldier-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/future-shop-has-exclusive-future-soldier-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/future-shop-has-exclusive-future-soldier-bundle/#comments ImageCanada's Future Shop is home to an exclusive "Limited Edition" of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. The $80 package comes with a steelbook case and a statuette, and is available for both PS3 and Xbox 360 in "extremely limited" quantities.

We'd like to see this partnership taken further. With this promotion in place, it's a perfect opportunity to add verisimilitude to the game through the inclusion of Future Shop stores that could sell extra batteries for all that tactical equipment. Of course, in the world of Future Soldier, it would just be called "Shop."

[Thanks, Zack]

JoystiqFuture Shop has exclusive Future Soldier bundle originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadafuture-shopGhost-Recon-Future-Soldierlimited-editionmicrosoftplaystationps3ubisoftxboxMon, 07 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed 3 teaser promises to make this Redcoat's coat redder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/assassins-creed-3-teaser-promises-to-make-this-redcoats-coat-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/assassins-creed-3-teaser-promises-to-make-this-redcoats-coat-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/assassins-creed-3-teaser-promises-to-make-this-redcoats-coat-r/#comments Image
New Assassin's Creed protagonist Ratohnhaké:ton (er ... Connor) isn't the smooth-talking debutant that kicked off Assassin's Creed 2. Instead, he's a brutal hunter, stalking his targets from treetops before leaping down on them for the final blow (you may already know this stuff).

Moreover, he's a crack shot with a bow, as seen in the latest teaser for Assassin's Creed 3. Ubisoft is goading fans to do its viral advertising with promises of a lengthier trailer after reaching a certain level of buzz on this Facebook page, which we totally do not support. On the other hand, we're totally down to see what happens to the flailing Redcoat. All in all, we're feeling an awful lot like Natalie Imbruglia this morning.

JoystiqAssassin's Creed 3 teaser promises to make this Redcoat's coat redder originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-3gameplaymicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3ubisoftubisoft-montrealwii-uxboxMon, 07 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rampant Speculation Theatre presents: Australian Classification Board rates 'Rabbids Rumble']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/rampant-speculation-theatre-presents-australian-classification/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/rampant-speculation-theatre-presents-australian-classification/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/06/rampant-speculation-theatre-presents-australian-classification/#comments ImageThe Australian Classification Board has issued a rating of "G" to Rabbids Rumble from Ubisoft, which doesn't exist. Okay, well, not officially anyway. We're sure something exists, and that the Australian Classification Board rated it, but Ubisoft has yet to publicly acknowledge its existence, whatever it is. Just like every other time we've been present with a leak that completely lacks context, Rampant Speculation Theatre has some ludicrous, baseless guesses totally reasonable ideas about what Rabbids Rumble might be.
  • Not to miss the brawler gravy train, Rabbids Rumble will be a Smash Bros.-esque fighter starring all the extremely recognizable characters we all know and love from the Rabbids franchise, like, uhm, the white one, or the one with the ears. Launch is tentatively set for "whenever PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale comes out."
  • Other entirely made up sources claim that Rabbids Rumble is actually a hyper serious seismology simulator, wherein the player takes control of a Rabbid Seismologist that must analyze tectonic recordings from around the globe. Microtransactional progression is implemented via seismometer upgrades that can either be earned in-game, or purchased as DLC.

JoystiqRampant Speculation Theatre presents: Australian Classification Board rates 'Rabbids Rumble' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaaustralian-classification-boardrabbidsrabbids-rumblerampant-speculation-theatreubisoftSun, 06 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Domain registered for 'Avengers: Battle for Earth,' all signs point to Ubisoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/domain-registered-for-avengers-battle-for-earth-all-signs-po/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/domain-registered-for-avengers-battle-for-earth-all-signs-po/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/domain-registered-for-avengers-battle-for-earth-all-signs-po/#comments ImageLook, we're gonna level with you: We need more of Joss Whedon's The Avengers in our lives. We need more Captain America suspenders, more Sammy-J eye patch and more Scar-Jo everything. That new Pinball FX 2 table kinda helps, but its not really the explosive licensed tie-in gaming experience our bodies are craving.

There is hope, however, as a domain for Avengers: Battle for Earth has been registered by Marvel (via brand protection company MarkMonitor) and is currently parked on a Ubisoft server, according to whois data unearthed by the URL sleuths at Fusible.

As there have been no official announcements of any sort, the chances of Avengers: Battle for Earth being a super high-octane movie tie-in blockbuster are just as good as it being some sort of social farming/drawing/word search cash in for iOS and/or Facebook. We're keeping our fingers crossed for the first option, but at this point we'll take what we can get.

JoystiqDomain registered for 'Avengers: Battle for Earth,' all signs point to Ubisoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avengers-battle-for-earthjoss-whedonmarvelthe-avengersthe-avengers-battle-for-earthubisoftSat, 05 May 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon: Future Soldier trailer: Bloody tattoo guy edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/ghost-recon-future-soldier-trailer-bloody-tattoo-guy-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/ghost-recon-future-soldier-trailer-bloody-tattoo-guy-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/ghost-recon-future-soldier-trailer-bloody-tattoo-guy-edition/#comments Image
The latest trailer for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is a bit more ominous than ones we've seen in the past, in primarily due to the fact that it predominantly features a very bloody, very tattooed Russian interrogation subject, menacing laughter, as well as unusually werewolfian undertones.

JoystiqGhost Recon: Future Soldier trailer: Bloody tattoo guy edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 May 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bodarksGhost-Recon-Future-Soldiermicrosoftpcplaystationps3UbisoftUbisoft-Parisubisoft-red-stormxboxSat, 05 May 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed pre-production footage doesn't skimp on the stabs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/assassins-creed-pre-production-footage-doesnt-skimp-on-the-sta/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/assassins-creed-pre-production-footage-doesnt-skimp-on-the-sta/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/assassins-creed-pre-production-footage-doesnt-skimp-on-the-sta/#comments Image
Here at Joystiq, we pride ourselves on bringing you the new hotness, but sometimes we miss things - like this pre-production concept footage from an audio guy's portfolio uploaded many moons ago. If it looks familiar, it's because this eventually became the original Assassin's Creed.

JoystiqAssassin's Creed pre-production footage doesn't skimp on the stabs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 May 2012 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Assassins-Creedconceptconcept-videomicrosoftpcplaystationps3ubisoftxboxSat, 05 May 2012 01:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon Alpha sneaks up on DVD and Blu-ray May 22]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ghost-recon-alpha-sneaks-up-on-dvd-and-blu-ray-may-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ghost-recon-alpha-sneaks-up-on-dvd-and-blu-ray-may-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/ghost-recon-alpha-sneaks-up-on-dvd-and-blu-ray-may-22/#comments Ghost Recon Alpha, the 25-minute prequel film to Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, will arrive on DVD and Blu-ray on May 22. According to Joystiq ghosts embedded deep within Ubisoft, May 22 just happens to be the release date for Future Soldier as well.

The film will be available in a DVD/Blu-ray combo pack for $14.95 or as a lonely, single DVD for $7.95. If you just can't wait that long, G4 will be airing the film later today at 6:30pm ET.

Continue reading Ghost Recon Alpha sneaks up on DVD and Blu-ray May 22

JoystiqGhost Recon Alpha sneaks up on DVD and Blu-ray May 22 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghost-recon-alphaGhost-Recon-Future-Soldiermoviepcplaystationps3ubisoftxboxThu, 03 May 2012 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft planning to expand Toronto studio to 800 employees within 10 years]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ubisoft-planning-to-expand-toronto-studio-to-800-employees-withi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ubisoft-planning-to-expand-toronto-studio-to-800-employees-withi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ubisoft-planning-to-expand-toronto-studio-to-800-employees-withi/#comments ImageUbisoft Montreal, as we've reported before, is a huge video game outfit with a large team of developers coordinating multiple projects at a time, across up to six different studios. Ubisoft wants to repeat that structure in its new Toronto studio, according to the Financial Post. The French company is adding over 600 employees to the current staff of 210 over the next 10 years, which means an investment of over $500 million in that time.

That has big ramifications, not only for Ubisoft's future as a publisher and developer, but for Toronto's Wallace Avenue neighborhood as well (where these employees will live, work, and spend all of this money). As for the studio itself, it's currently at work on five upcoming Ubisoft titles, including the next Splinter Cell. As more and more is invested in the operation there, that list will probably grow.

JoystiqUbisoft planning to expand Toronto studio to 800 employees within 10 years originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadacanadiandevelopersemployeeshiringinvestmentjade-raymondneighborhoodsplinter-cellstudiotorontoubisoftwallace-avenueWed, 02 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon Alpha film is prologue to Future Soldier, debuts on G4 May 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/ghost-recon-alpha-film-is-prologue-to-future-soldier-debuts-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/ghost-recon-alpha-film-is-prologue-to-future-soldier-debuts-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/ghost-recon-alpha-film-is-prologue-to-future-soldier-debuts-on/#comments
On May 3, G4 will debut Ghost Recon Alpha, a 25-minute short film and live-action prelude to the events of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. The sample video above splices some live-action footage from Alpha in with some in-game shots of a multiplayer map created as a matching homage.

Ghost Recon Alpha debuts on G4 on Thursday, May 3 at 6:30pm ET. During the broadcast, viewers can hunt for a hidden code that unlocks an exclusive gun in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. We've got some early stills from the prologue in the gallery below.

Gallery: Ghost Recon Alpha

Continue reading Ghost Recon Alpha film is prologue to Future Soldier, debuts on G4 May 3

JoystiqGhost Recon Alpha film is prologue to Future Soldier, debuts on G4 May 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>g4ghost-recon-alphaGhost-Recon-Future-Soldiermicrosoftpcplaystationps3ubisoftxboxTue, 01 May 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon: Online 'The Specialist' video is special, we guess]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/ghost-recon-online-the-specialist-video-is-special-we-guess/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/ghost-recon-online-the-specialist-video-is-special-we-guess/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/ghost-recon-online-the-specialist-video-is-special-we-guess/#comments
Image

Ghost Recon: Online is totally not Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (as the below comments have pointed out; thanks, eagle eyes), which has 5,689 videos explaining how to play, who to play as and what to expect mechanically. Online has this video above, detailing the specialist class. There's still time to catch up, Online! We believe in you.

JoystiqGhost Recon: Online 'The Specialist' video is special, we guess originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2012 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghost-recon-onlinemicrosoftpcplaystationps3the-specialistUbisoftxboxTue, 01 May 2012 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft: Rayman Legends leak is real, 'purely internal demonstrative video']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/ubisoft-rayman-legends-video-is-real-but-is-a-purely-internal/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/ubisoft-rayman-legends-video-is-real-but-is-a-purely-internal/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/ubisoft-rayman-legends-video-is-real-but-is-a-purely-internal/#comments
It would be hard to believe the Rayman Legends video leaked this morning was anything but real, but Ubisoft removed any lingering doubt today. The company issued a statement (excerpted by VG247) confirming the existence of the game. Of course, it's not final.

The leaked video was "intended as a purely internal demonstrative video, and in NO way represents the final game, the final console or their features," Ubisoft said, referring to the game as "Rayman Origins' sequel." The video was meant for "internal production teams who often create game prototypes with work in progress development kits." In other words, it was a demonstration for the people working on the game, not a demonstration of the game.

The upside of this leak is that we can now issue feedback to the team working on the actual game, in the form of this open statement: Hey, that footage looked great. Make the game look like that.

JoystiqUbisoft: Rayman Legends leak is real, 'purely internal demonstrative video' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>leaknintendorayman-legendsubisoftwii-uFri, 27 Apr 2012 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Rayman Legends video leaks for Wii U]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/rayman-legends-Wii-U/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/rayman-legends-Wii-U/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/rayman-legends-Wii-U/#comments
Rayman Legends for Wii U now has a leaked trailer to couple with its domain registration. The trailer showcases the Wii U's near field communication (NFC) feature, with a Raving Rabbid action figure transferred from our world into the game. The video also hints at an Assassin's Creed Ezio Auditore da Firenze doll having the same magical power for the game.

Ubisoft is currently on clean-up duty to scrub the video off the internet, so check it out before it's gone. The above embed comes from Gamekult.

[Thanks, Pedro]

JoystiqRayman Legends video leaks for Wii U originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendoRayman-LegendsUbisoftwii-uFri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft registers domains for 'Rayman Legends']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/ubisoft-registers-domains-for-rayman-legends/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/ubisoft-registers-domains-for-rayman-legends/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/ubisoft-registers-domains-for-rayman-legends/#comments There's nothing we like more than a good, mysterious domain registration. This latest batch of URLs with undisclosed purposes comes courtesy of Ubisoft, which has registered both RaymanLegends.com and Rayman-Legends.com.

This maneuver - spotted by Fusible - follows rumors that Ubisoft has already been pitching a sequel to last year's 2D platformer, Rayman Origins, in an online marketing survey. According to leaked concepts, the game might see Rayman tussling with legendary creatures like ghosts and dragons. Ubisoft, of course, is opting not to comment on "rumors or speculation."

JoystiqUbisoft registers domains for 'Rayman Legends' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>domainrayman-legendsrayman-originsubisoftURLThu, 26 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST