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[More games and players in 2009, but fewer sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/more-games-and-players-in-2009-but-fewer-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/more-games-and-players-in-2009-but-fewer-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/more-games-and-players-in-2009-but-fewer-sales/#comments The gaming industry wasn't immune to the economic turmoil around the globe in 2009, but it appears that more people are playing games -- even if they aren't necessarily buying "core" games. USA Today has a year-end piece noting that 2008's record $21.3 billion in US sales isn't in the cards this year, with NPD data revealing that, as of November, consumers bought 12.2 million consoles, compared to 14.2 million the year prior. An optimist could argue that'll be made up for in software sales, but we'll need to wait until January for that data.

EEDAR's Jesse Divnich reiterated that "the big games are getting bigger," indicating that blockbuster, marketed games are siphoning more sales from everyone else. Then again, casual games like Farmville on Facebook had 65 million players. A complication here is that retail sales may be declining (which is tracked by organizations like NPD), but we don't really know what goes on in closed digital distribution systems. The actual industry sales figures may be debatable, but we'll take the rise of casual games as a sign of demographic diversity within the industry.

JoystiqMore games and players in 2009, but fewer sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009businessdivnicheedarnpdusa-todayyear-endTue, 29 Dec 2009 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Only 35 songs from Guitar Hero World Tour work with GH5 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/report-only-35-songs-from-guitar-hero-world-tour-work-with-gh5/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/report-only-35-songs-from-guitar-hero-world-tour-work-with-gh5/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/report-only-35-songs-from-guitar-hero-world-tour-work-with-gh5/#comments Update: It appears as though Activision itself has answered the question of what songs specifically are importable into Guitar Hero 5 from World Tour (35 songs) as well as Smash Hits (21 songs), via the Activision Customer Support Center. The full list of songs available from each game has been dropped after the break -- thanks to everyone for sending this in!

We can't lie to you, friends -- when Activision claimed songs from last year's Guitar Hero World Tour would be playable in this year's Guitar Hero 5, we were skeptical. It seems that skepticism proved right, as USA Today reveals that a hair over one third of GHWT's tracks can be downloaded into the new game. Specifically, just 35 of World Tour's 86 tracks are playable in GH5, with an unspecified amount of Guitar Hero Smash Hits tracks available "later this Fall." The licensing fee for those 35 tracks is 280/$3.50 for Xbox 360 and PS3, though it remains unclear whether or not that fee would include Smash Hits' tracks when those are released.

We've asked Activision for clarification of which tracks specifically are available in GH5 and when Smash Hits will be ready for download, but unfortunately were told that we'd get a release tomorrow with "tons of details." So this is where we crowdsource things -- Guitar Hero 5 owners in the Joystiq Biomass[TM], please let us know which 35 of Guitar Hero World Tour's 86 tracks are playable! Our inbox is always open!

Continue reading Report: Only 35 songs from Guitar Hero World Tour work with GH5 [update]

JoystiqReport: Only 35 songs from Guitar Hero World Tour work with GH5 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisiondigital-downloaddlcguitar-heroguitar-hero-5guitar-hero-smash-hitsguitar-hero-world-tourMicrosoftneversoftNintendosong-importingusa-todayWiiXbox-360Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Buying Activision Blizzard stock may be too extreme for you]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/13/buying-activision-blizzard-stock-may-be-too-extreme-for-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/13/buying-activision-blizzard-stock-may-be-too-extreme-for-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/13/buying-activision-blizzard-stock-may-be-too-extreme-for-you/#comments
Where does USA Today analyst Matt Krantz turn when he needs to hear blood rushing past his ears at 1,000 heartbeats per minute as he takes life to the edge? Why, investing in video games, naturally. "Just as Activision's games are for thrill seekers, the stock is, too," he wrote in a recent analysis of the company. "Investing in Activision shares will be filled with excitement, fear and suspense." Slow down, Matt, our adrenal glands just melted!

If you're up to it, you can read Krantz's full analysis of the stock right here. Or you can really push the thrill envelope and guzzle that cup of Starbucks that was super hot when you purchased it 30 minutes ago without sipping to see if it cooled. WOOOAAHHHH!

[Image credit: Tyla'75]

JoystiqBuying Activision Blizzard stock may be too extreme for you originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardfinancestockstaking-it-to-the-edgeusa-todayMon, 13 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Super Mario Bros. Wii, future titles will play themselves]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/14/new-super-mario-bros-wii-future-titles-will-play-themselves/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/14/new-super-mario-bros-wii-future-titles-will-play-themselves/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/14/new-super-mario-bros-wii-future-titles-will-play-themselves/#comments
Are games too hard for you, Johnny? Don't worry -- Shiggy's got your back. Starting with upcoming New Super Mario Bros. Wii, future Nintendo Wii titles will be shipping with the ability to, well, play themselves. In an interview with USA Today, the man who birthed Mario confirmed the existence of "demo play" for the next Mario game and "future games, too" -- essentially an option to allow the game to play itself when the player encounters an area too difficult for them to handle.

Savvy Joystiq loyalists will remember the patent filed by Nintendo earlier this year, roughly outlining the feature. The idea behind this, Miyamoto explains, is to reduce the barrier to entry for younger players and casual alike. Last we checked, the whole point of games was the challenge but, ya know, who needs that? "Demo play" remains the tentative title for now, but we expect some Wii-ification by New Super Mario Bros. Wii's release later this year.

JoystiqNew Super Mario Bros. Wii, future titles will play themselves originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demo-playnew-super-mario-bros-wiiNintendoshigeru-miyamotousa-todayWiiSun, 14 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rush to USA Today and get a Fat Princess beta code]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/rush-to-usa-today-to-get-a-fat-princess-beta-code/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/rush-to-usa-today-to-get-a-fat-princess-beta-code/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/rush-to-usa-today-to-get-a-fat-princess-beta-code/#comments Update: Looks like they're out of codes now. Hope you got in!

Didn't have cake yesterday? Don't worry, here's another chance to enter the Fat Princess beta. If you're one of the first 1600 people to register at USA Today, you'll be delivered a poppin' fresh code right to your e-mail. Yum! You'll want to hurry up because if you're reading this right now, that means thousands of other people are as well. GO!

[Thanks, Hugo!]

JoystiqRush to USA Today and get a Fat Princess beta code originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betafat-princessusa-todayThu, 16 Apr 2009 12:47:00 EST<![CDATA[USA Today's 15,000 LittleBigPlanet keys]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/usa-todays-15-000-littlebigplanet-keys/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/usa-todays-15-000-littlebigplanet-keys/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/usa-todays-15-000-littlebigplanet-keys/#commentsFiled under:


It's great to see LittleBigPlanet getting such positive press, especially from a mainstream national newspaper like USA Today. This is exactly the kind of buzz the PS3 needs right now before the all-important holiday shopping season. If you've been following the news on LittleBigPlanet here on PS3Fanboy, none of the information in the article will be new to you. However, they are giving away 15,000 LBP beta keys, which we are sure at least some of you are still interested in. The giveaway is simple: just drop an e-mail over to littlebigplanet@usatoday.com with "LittleBigPlanet Beta" in the subject line, and they'll send you a code while supplies last. Easy peasey!

[Via PS.Blog -- thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqUSA Today's 15,000 LittleBigPlanet keys originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betalittlebigplanetmedia-moleculeusa-todayusatodayWed, 08 Oct 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[USA Today: Wii's Rock Band 2 to feature DLC, online play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/rock-band-2-on-wii-to-feature-song-dlc-online-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/rock-band-2-on-wii-to-feature-song-dlc-online-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/rock-band-2-on-wii-to-feature-song-dlc-online-play/#commentsFiled under:


USA Today reports that the Wii version of Rock Band 2 will feature downloadable songs and online multiplayer. Up until this point, the available features for the game on the best-selling console have been nebulous. USA Today's original article stated that there would be no online functions, but has since been updated with new wording.

We've contacted both MTV and Harmonix PR to confirm the information. Harmonix previously stated it would be difficult to have DLC on the Wii due to storage size and/or SD card retrieval issues.

Update: A Harmonix rep has confirmed Rock Band 2 for Wii will have song DLC functionality like PS3 and Xbox 360
from the online music store.

JoystiqUSA Today: Wii's Rock Band 2 to feature DLC, online play originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rock-bandrock-band-2rock-band-2-wiirock-band-wiiusa-todayWiiMon, 29 Sep 2008 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Fanswag: USA Today Crossword Challenge goes to ...]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/fanswag-usa-today-crossword-challenge-goes-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/fanswag-usa-today-crossword-challenge-goes-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/fanswag-usa-today-crossword-challenge-goes-to/#commentsFiled under:


Our latest giveaway has come to a close. We've selected 5 different winners, all of whom should be solving crosswords in record time now. Our winners are:
Congrats to the winners and better luck next time to the rest of you. Thanks for reading DS Fanboy!

JoystiqFanswag: USA Today Crossword Challenge goes to ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crosswordsfanswagpuzzleusa-todayusa-today-crosswordsMon, 25 Aug 2008 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: USA Today Crosswords is up for grabs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/reminder-usa-today-crosswords-is-up-for-grabs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/reminder-usa-today-crosswords-is-up-for-grabs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/reminder-usa-today-crosswords-is-up-for-grabs/#commentsFiled under:


Our latest giveaway has us unloading several copies of USA Today Crossword Challenge. Would you like a free copy? Heck, who doesn't want a free game? Well, if you do, then head on over to the original contest post and read up on how you can enter our latest giveaway. Good luck!

JoystiqReminder: USA Today Crosswords is up for grabs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fanswagusa-todayusa-today-crosswordsFri, 15 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Fanboy Review: USA Today Crossword Challenge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/10/ds-fanboy-review-usa-today-crossword-challenge/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/10/ds-fanboy-review-usa-today-crossword-challenge/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/10/ds-fanboy-review-usa-today-crossword-challenge/#commentsFiled under:


Despite the fact that Nintendo's own Crosswords DS will no doubt outsell USA Today Crossword Challenge, due to the "Nintendo" on the front (and the Gamestop-exclusive release of USA Today), Destineer, developer Mercury Games and original engine developer Sanuk Games should feel very lucky that Nintendo released their own crossword game when they did.

It means that, in the DS crossword genre at least, Destineer can claim superiority over Nintendo. It may not have the extra modes that Crosswords DS does, but it is a much more pleasant crossword experience.

Continue reading DS Fanboy Review: USA Today Crossword Challenge

JoystiqDS Fanboy Review: USA Today Crossword Challenge originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crossworddestineerjoystiqfeaturespuzzlesanuk-gamesusa-todayusa-today-crosswordsTue, 10 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A million bajillion crossword games for the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/a-million-bajillion-crossword-games-for-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/a-million-bajillion-crossword-games-for-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/a-million-bajillion-crossword-games-for-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:

We hope that many of you flocked to stores this week to get Barnyard Blast. If so, or if you're a fan of crosswords, you might be happy to know that the same developer (Sanuk Games) is coming out with Crossword Challenge.

Or, you might be thinking, "Another crossword game?" Aside from the New York Times title, Nintendo is coming out with one in May. Then there are iterations using The Sun's crosswords and a USA Today's. So, in other words, five games. If you speak Japanese, there's also Compile Heart's release.

We don't mind an oversaturated crossword market, though. New York Times puzzles can be too hard, Nintendo ones might be too easy, The Sun's will be too trashy, and USA Today's crosswords are always too similar. In our opinion, there's definitely a place for this Sanuk Games project.

Of course, whether there's room in the market is another question. The New York Times rendition came out long ago, but surely sales for the other four will eat into each other, with (we think) Nintendo's being the most successful. Whether or not the publishers do well, though, there's no doubt that with competition, the consumer always wins.

JoystiqA million bajillion crossword games for the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crosswordcrossword-challengenew-york-timessanuk-gamesthe-sunusa-todaySat, 16 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST