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[DOTA 2 is free to play, 'DOTA Store' open now and selling beta access]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/dota-2-is-free-to-play-dota-store-open-now-and-selling-beta-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/dota-2-is-free-to-play-dota-store-open-now-and-selling-beta-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/dota-2-is-free-to-play-dota-store-open-now-and-selling-beta-a/#comments ImageValve confirmed tonight that DOTA 2, its upcoming MOBA and guaranteed Basshunter reminder, will be free to play. But don't worry, you'll still spend plenty of money on it, as Valve simultaneously announced an in-game DOTA Store, which will sell items created both by Valve staff and by users in the Steam Workshop. The store will sell items, but not heroes - "We believe restricting player access to heroes could be destructive to game design, so it's something we plan to avoid," the team said on the official site.

The store opened tonight, and offers a $39.99 "Early Access Bundle" of in-game items that also lets the buyer into the ongoing beta. It'll be free to play when the game officially launches this year, but you can buy access to it now. That's something to think about tonight.

Continue reading DOTA 2 is free to play, 'DOTA Store' open now and selling beta access

JoystiqDOTA 2 is free to play, 'DOTA Store' open now and selling beta access originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadotadota-2dota-storefree-to-playpcvalveThu, 31 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Payday dev collaborating with Valve on Left 4 Dead 'co-operative initiative']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/payday-dev-collaborating-with-valve-on-left-4-dead-co-operative/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/payday-dev-collaborating-with-valve-on-left-4-dead-co-operative/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/payday-dev-collaborating-with-valve-on-left-4-dead-co-operative/#comments ImagePayday: The Heist studio Overkill Software and Valve Software are working on ... something together. What that something is remains to be seen, as Overkill game director Ulf Andersson only described the collaboration as a "co-operative initiative" between the two companies. We do know that it'll involve both Overkill's Payday: The Heist and Valve's Left 4 Dead - two team-focused four-player co-operative romps (enough hyphens for you?).

"We are working on a very cool blend of Payday and Left 4 Dead," Andersson wrote on his company's official site. "I am sure it is so exciting that it will have some players check into the hospital before we are done." Oh, hospital, you say? We see what you're doing there, you crazy Swedes you!

Andersson apparently couldn't help himself, and added one more zombie-themed quip. "Keep an eye out for more on this infectious and developing story." We know at least one guy we won't be letting into the safe house.

JoystiqPayday dev collaborating with Valve on Left 4 Dead 'co-operative initiative' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opco-operative-initiativecollaborationleft-4-deadoverkilloverkill-softwarepayday-the-heistulf-anderssonvalvevalve-softwareMon, 21 May 2012 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam Wallet store displays arrive at GameStop [update: It's official]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/steam-wallet-store-displays-arrive-at-gamestop/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/steam-wallet-store-displays-arrive-at-gamestop/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/steam-wallet-store-displays-arrive-at-gamestop/#comments ImageIt looks like Steam vouchers are definitely headed to GameStop. Images sent to Joystiq by an anonymous tipster reveal an in-store display for Steam Wallet voucher cards in both $20 and $50 amounts. This bolsters the image that made the rounds last week, providing further evidence that the cards will indeed be going on sale at GameStops very soon.

The upshot of all this, of course, is that GameStop will be selling gift cards for one of its major competitors, which is especially intriguing as the company has been working to build its own digital distribution platform for several years. We've contacted GameStop and will provide updates as this story develops.

Update: GameStop has officially announced that it is indeed selling Steam Wallet cards as of ... today. They're available in $20 or $50 denominations. Full press release after the break.

Gallery: Steam Wallet cards at GameStop

Continue reading Steam Wallet store displays arrive at GameStop [update: It's official]

JoystiqSteam Wallet store displays arrive at GameStop [update: It's official] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopmacpcsteamvalveMon, 14 May 2012 08:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard and Valve settle DOTA argument, Blizzard DOTA is now Blizzard All-Stars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/blizzard-and-valve-settle-dota-argument-blizzard-dota-is-now-bl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/blizzard-and-valve-settle-dota-argument-blizzard-dota-is-now-bl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/blizzard-and-valve-settle-dota-argument-blizzard-dota-is-now-bl/#comments Blizzard has dropped a short-and-sweet press release (reprinted below) informing us that it has landed on a "mutual agreement" with Valve regarding the contested "DOTA" trademark. DOTA, of course, stands for "Defense of the Ancients," which is a fanmade map and mode for Blizzard's Warcraft 3, originally based on a Starcraft map. Developer "IceFrog," who's overseen the DOTA map since 2005, has gone to work for Valve on DOTA 2, while Blizzard has been working on its official variation of the game, previously called Blizzard DOTA.

The mutual agreement means that Valve will get the rights to use the "DOTA" trademark commercially, so DOTA 2's name won't change. Blizzard reserves the right for fans to use the trademark noncommercially, but will give up the DOTA name for its official variant. That game will instead be called Blizzard All-Stars, "which ultimately better reflects the design of our game," said Blizzard executive VP Rob Pardo. "We look forward to going into more detail on that at a later date."

Valve's Gabe Newell also gave comment, saying that Valve is "pleased that we could come to an agreement with Blizzard without drawing things out in a way that would benefit no one." Blizzard All-Stars doesn't have a release date yet, and DOTA 2 is due out next year.

Continue reading Blizzard and Valve settle DOTA argument, Blizzard DOTA is now Blizzard All-Stars

JoystiqBlizzard and Valve settle DOTA argument, Blizzard DOTA is now Blizzard All-Stars originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2012 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agreementblizzardblizzard-all-starsblizzard-dotadotadota-2gabe-newellnoncommercialpcrob-pardotrademarkvalveFri, 11 May 2012 16:35:00 EST<![CDATA[The International Dota 2 Championships invade PAX Prime]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-international-dota-2-championships-invade-pax-prime/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-international-dota-2-championships-invade-pax-prime/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-international-dota-2-championships-invade-pax-prime/#comments ImageValve's International Dota 2 Championships 2012 will be held at PAX Prime in Seattle, running August 31 through September 2. The International kicked off last year at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, with the winning team, Ukraine's Na'vi, walking away with $1 million.

Na'vi has received an invitation to defend its title, along with Chinese team DK; 16 teams will compete overall. The International will be broadcast for free in multiple languages, and Valve will release information about obtaining tickets in the coming weeks.

Continue reading The International Dota 2 Championships invade PAX Prime

JoystiqThe International Dota 2 Championships invade PAX Prime originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dota-2pax-prime-2012pcthe-internationalthe-international-2012valveThu, 10 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: GameStop to start selling Steam vouchers next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/report-gamestop-to-start-selling-steam-vouchers-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/report-gamestop-to-start-selling-steam-vouchers-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/report-gamestop-to-start-selling-steam-vouchers-next-week/#comments ImageGamestop will reportedly begin selling Steam gift cards next week, according to a Kotaku source. Sweetening the legitimacy of this bizarre reality, the source also snapped a photo of the packaging (pictured). The cards will allegedly go on sale starting May 15.

Valve has yet to respond to our query on the subject. Gamestop tells us: "As a rule, the company does not comment on rumor and speculation."

Although this may all seem counter-intuitive (and it is when you think about Gamestop's Impulse digital distribution system), it's more like an agreement between frenemies. Valve can make money off people who don't use credit cards or other digital purchasing options, while Gamestop keeps making crazy amounts of cash off digital products in stores.

JoystiqReport: GameStop to start selling Steam vouchers next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GamestopmacpcSteamValveThu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This is not a test: Portal 2 sales top 4 million, map editor DLC out today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/this-is-not-a-test-portal-2-sales-top-4-million-map-editor-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/this-is-not-a-test-portal-2-sales-top-4-million-map-editor-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/this-is-not-a-test-portal-2-sales-top-4-million-map-editor-dlc/#comments ImagePortal 2 has sold more than 4 million units worldwide since its launch on April 18, 2011, and Valve is slowly but steadily (mostly slowly) supporting it with new content, such as today's batch of DLC, the Perpetual Testing Initiative. The Perpetual Testing Initiative offers players a map-editing tool, which looks a lot like this, so fans can make testing chambers to rival GLaDOS'. And make maps shaped like penises, probably.

The map editor in today's DLC is accessible for new players, yet robust enough to satisfy hardcore ones, Valve tells NeoGamr. Valve's first attempt at fan-made maps, the Hammer editor, is tech-heavy and complicated for most people to get a hang of, most likely because it's Valve's in-house map creation tool - still, players have created more than 400 maps with Hammer. However, without a standardized way to share the maps, most of these have gone unnoticed by the larger community.

The Perpetual Testing Initiative's puzzle maker allows users to export their creations in Hammer's native format and continue building with the more powerful tools, if they so choose. The simple map editor is "incredibly powerful for all of its simplicity and can easily reproduce pretty much every puzzle from Portal 2," Valve said.

JoystiqThis is not a test: Portal 2 sales top 4 million, map editor DLC out today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCeditormap-editorpcperpetual-testing-initiativeportal-2puzzlepuzzle-makersalesvalveTue, 08 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[50 more Portal gun replicas available for pre-order tonight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/50-more-portal-gun-replicas-available-for-pre-order-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/50-more-portal-gun-replicas-available-for-pre-order-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/50-more-portal-gun-replicas-available-for-pre-order-tonight/#comments NECA's plan to sell an official replica of Aperture's handheld portal device - otherwise known as the Portal gun - has run into the double-whammy of rabid demand and puny production output. NECA is offering another 50 (!) replicas, which will be available for pre-order starting tonight at midnight ET, according to its Facebook page.

Just, uh, leave one for us, okay? Please? We'll buy you a delicious piece of - ah, nevermind.

Joystiq50 more Portal gun replicas available for pre-order tonight originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aperture-handheld-portal-devicemicrosoftNECApcplaystationportalportal-2portal-gunps3valvexboxFri, 04 May 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve not planning any product announcements for E3 2012, will be attending]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/valve-not-planning-any-product-announces-for-e3-2012-will-be-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/valve-not-planning-any-product-announces-for-e3-2012-will-be-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/valve-not-planning-any-product-announces-for-e3-2012-will-be-at/#comments At this year's E3, you can officially leave any Valve Software product announcements firmly off your pre-show bingo cards. Valve rep Doug Lombardi told Joystiq this morning, "We have no product announcements planned for this year's show," confirming a reported email exchange between a ValveTime.net forum member and Valve Software head Gabe Newell.

In the purported exchange, which Valve declined to confirm, Newell told the forum member, "We are not announcing anything at E3. Really." The email goes further than that, adding, "We are not announcing Half-Life 3 or Portal 3 or Left 4 Dead 3. We are going to be showing stuff everyone already knows about (CS:Go [Counterstrike: Global Offensive], Dota 2, 10' UI [Steam 'Big Picture Mode'])."

So, while it looks like Valve is attending E3, don't get your hopes too high for any software or hardware announcements. The other possibility, of course, is that we're being lied to (it wouldn't be the first such instance before E3). We're giving Valve the benefit of the doubt.

JoystiqValve not planning any product announcements for E3 2012, will be attending originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2012gabe-newellmacpcvalvevalve-softwareWed, 02 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This is how you'll edit Portal 2 levels]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/this-is-how-youll-edit-portal-2-levels/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/this-is-how-youll-edit-portal-2-levels/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/this-is-how-youll-edit-portal-2-levels/#comments
Image
Portal 2's level-editing DLC, the Perpetual Testing Initiative, will push the boundaries of physics and patience on May 8 for PC and Mac, and the above video shows us exactly how. It appears prolific level creator TopHATTwaffle originally uploaded the video but took it down at Valve's request, and it has since been uploaded by another, less remorseful Internet denizen.

The walkthrough shows a blank map as it switches between edit and playthrough modes, and the ease of creating unique, new Portal 2 levels. The only thing we think it's missing is the vocal stylings of J.K. Simmons, but we'll just content ourselves with drinking whisky and yelling at the screen every now and then.

JoystiqThis is how you'll edit Portal 2 levels originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLClevel-editormacpcportal-2valveTue, 01 May 2012 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Gabe Newell is secretly a Brony, explains Valve structure as a response to his time at Microsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/gabe-newell-is-secretly-a-brony-explains-valve-structure-as-a-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/gabe-newell-is-secretly-a-brony-explains-valve-structure-as-a-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/gabe-newell-is-secretly-a-brony-explains-valve-structure-as-a-r/#comments We'll get to the Valve management talk in a minute. First and foremost, we have to highlight this critical information regarding Valve Software head and co-founder Gabe Newell's secret identity as a Brony, and how that relates to pranks at Valve:
"If you leave your phone at your desk someone will use it to send an email that says 'I like ponies.' Some people will make more and more elaborate photos of ponies that people might like. There are some incredibly entertaining characters who work here.

Of course, then everybody found out that I actually like the TV show My Little Ponies: Friendship is Magic, so I never hear the end of it."
That was Newell speaking with Bloomberg BusinessWeek in a recent interview, following up on the recently loosed Valve Software new-hire handbook. But now that you know about Newell's affinity for magical friendship as it pertains to ponies, you might be interested to know how Valve's bizarre management structure (or lack thereof) got the way it did. As it turns out, Newell formed Valve's structure as a direct response to Microsoft's rigidity. He related a story regarding Microsoft Windows market penetration and id Software's FPS classic, Doom, to illustrate his point.

"There was concern among people who were working on Microsoft Office that people would buy computers and reformat their hard drives and install MS-DOS instead of Windows," Newell said. So, in order to find out if that theory was true, Microsoft didn't just ask its customers, it conducted surveys to get hard numbers. Thankfully for MS, the theory didn't cause any real issues. But the results of the survey were enlightening to Newell nonetheless.

"What was so shocking to me was that Windows was the second highest usage application in the U.S. The number one application was Doom," Newell explained. To him, this was a revelation. "It was a 12-person company in the suburbs of Texas that didn't even distribute through retail, it distributed through bulletin boards and other pre-Internet mechanisms ... Microsoft was hiring 500-people sales teams and this entire company was 12 people, yet it [id Software] had created the most widely distributed software in the world."

Gallery: Valve Handbook for New Employees (2012)

Continue reading Gabe Newell is secretly a Brony, explains Valve structure as a response to his time at Microsoft

JoystiqGabe Newell is secretly a Brony, explains Valve structure as a response to his time at Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bronygabe-newellmy-little-ponies-friendship-is-magicsteamvalvevalve-softwareTue, 01 May 2012 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[ThreeA Toys unveils prototype Portal 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2 statuettes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/threea-toys-unveils-prototype-portal-2-and-metal-gear-solid-2-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/threea-toys-unveils-prototype-portal-2-and-metal-gear-solid-2-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/threea-toys-unveils-prototype-portal-2-and-metal-gear-solid-2-st/#comments ImageChinese design house/ridiculously detailed toy company ThreeA Toys had many different prototype products on display during its ReVenture event in Hong Kong this weekend, but the ones we're most interested in are the astonishingly accurate reproductions of Portal 2's Altus and P-Body and Metal Gear Solid 2's Metal Gear RAY.

All three statues are prototypes and as such there's no information regarding availability, pricing, how articulated they might be or what they'll even look like once they've been painted. It's also difficult to tell whether this RAY model is the manned version created by the Marines, or the unmanned mass-produced model designed by the Patriots. Either way, we desperately want these things adorning our various fireplace mantels as soon as humanly possible. Check out high-resolution shots of all three statues in the gallery below.

Gallery: ReVenture Statue Prototypes

JoystiqThreeA Toys unveils prototype Portal 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2 statuettes originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-figurecollectablesfigureKonamiMetal-GearMetal-Gear-RAYMetal-Gear-Solid-2PortalPortal-2RAYReVenturestatuesstatuetteThreeAtoysValveSun, 29 Apr 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal 2 'Perpetual Testing Initiative' DLC trailer introduces multiverse crowd-sourcing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/portal-2-perpetual-testing-initiative-dlc-trailer-introduces-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/portal-2-perpetual-testing-initiative-dlc-trailer-introduces-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/portal-2-perpetual-testing-initiative-dlc-trailer-introduces-m/#comments
One of GTTV's world exclusives during last night's broadcast was this Portal 2 trailer for the next free batch of DLC, the Perpetual Testing Initiative. The DLC allows players to create their own puzzles and publish them to Steam Workshop for others to critique and play.

The Perpetual Testing Initiative goes live on PC and Mac on May 8 - still no word on whether consoles will get this DLC, but at least we all get a humorous new trailer narrated by Cave Johnson right now.

JoystiqPortal 2 'Perpetual Testing Initiative' DLC trailer introduces multiverse crowd-sourcing originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmacpcperpetual-testing-initiativeportal-2steamsteam-workshopvalveFri, 27 Apr 2012 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA['Definitely panic if there's caviar': A guide to working at Valve Software]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/definitely-panic-if-theres-caviar-a-guide-to-working-at-valv/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/definitely-panic-if-theres-caviar-a-guide-to-working-at-valv/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/definitely-panic-if-theres-caviar-a-guide-to-working-at-valv/#comments Image
"If you stop on the way back from your massage to play darts or work out in the Valve gym or whatever, it's not a sign that this place is going to come crumbling down like some 1999-era dot-com start-up. If we ever institute caviar-catered lunches, though, then maybe something's wrong. Definitely panic if there's caviar."
Those few sentences, culled from page 19 of Valve Software's "Handbook for New Employees," are perfectly emblematic of the rest of the uniquely Valve book. The above illustration is pulled from early on in the handbook, where the company's much discussed "flat" hierarchy is detailed. A Valve rep confirmed the book's legitimacy to Joystiq after it leaked this weekend on Flamehaus.

Seen above everyone else, of course, is company co-founder and president Gabe Newell. But even Newell isn't beyond being overridden. "We do have a founder/president, but even he isn't your manager," the book states.

"We want innovators, and that means maintaining an environment where they'll flourish," it reads. "That's why Valve is flat. It's our shorthand way of saying that we don't have any management, and nobody 'reports to' anybody else." Bizarre? Yes. Successful? Apparently! A timeline depicting Valve's birth in 1996 shows the company's steady growth into the powerhouse it is today across a variety of projects, all the while espousing Valve's adherence to lack of structure.

Gallery: Valve Handbook for New Employees (2012)

Continue reading 'Definitely panic if there's caviar': A guide to working at Valve Software

Joystiq'Definitely panic if there's caviar': A guide to working at Valve Software originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgabe-newelliosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3steamvalvevalve-softwarexboxMon, 23 Apr 2012 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive SDK to drop three months after full title]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/counter-strike-global-offensive-sdk-to-drop-three-months-after/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/counter-strike-global-offensive-sdk-to-drop-three-months-after/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/counter-strike-global-offensive-sdk-to-drop-three-months-after/#comments ImageThe software development kit for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is scheduled to launch three months after the game itself, which is a lot like saying it'll drop "as the crow flies," since CS: GO doesn't technically have a release date yet. The SDK will allow players to mod and create their own maps, and is in development by Valve veteran Mike Durand.

The kit will include a few maps from Counter-Strike 1.6 that didn't make it into Counter-Strike: Source, Valve's Gabe Newell announced on the podcast Seven Day Cooldown. Newell said Valve has successfully integrated both titles into CS: GO, "unless the beta testers are blowing smoke up our ass."

JoystiqCounter-Strike: Global Offensive SDK to drop three months after full title originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>counter-strike-global-offensivegabe-newellmicrosoftmodpcplaystationps3sdksoftware-development-kitvalvexboxSun, 22 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve researcher: wearable computing project is 'R&D,' isn't a product yet 'if ever']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/valve-researcher-wearable-computing-project-is-randd-isnt-a-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/valve-researcher-wearable-computing-project-is-randd-isnt-a-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/valve-researcher-wearable-computing-project-is-randd-isnt-a-p/#comments "To be clear, this is R&D - it doesn't in any way involve a product at this point, and won't for a long while, if ever - so please, no rumors about Steam glasses being announced at E3." A blog post by Valve researcher Michael Abrash clears up just what CEO Gabe Newell was talking about in regards to wearable computing a couple months back - and the kind of hardware "experiences" Valve is hiring for.

In short, it's not a product announcement. When Abrash was hired at Valve, he was encouraged to find his own interesting project to work on. Seeing the rise of wearable computing as an "inflection point" similar to Quake (which pushed things like networking and 3D graphics into ubiquity), he decided that was something he, and Valve, should be ahead on.

"By 'wearable computing,'" Abrash explains, "I mean mobile computing where both computer-generated graphics and the real world are seamlessly overlaid in your view; there is no separate display that you hold in your hands (think Terminator vision)." Google is working on something similar, of course.

In other words, Valve hired a guy to do whatever at its game development company, and he decided to research a type of computing that doesn't exist yet. If nothing else, this is an indication of just how much money Valve has.

JoystiqValve researcher: wearable computing project is 'R&D,' isn't a product yet 'if ever' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>michael-abrashpcvalvewearable-computingSat, 14 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve job listing points to hardware plans for 'whole new gaming experiences']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/valve-job-listing-points-to-hardware-plans-for-whole-new-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/valve-job-listing-points-to-hardware-plans-for-whole-new-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/valve-job-listing-points-to-hardware-plans-for-whole-new-gaming/#comments ImageYes, there are employees at Valve right now who are working on some form of gaming hardware. What that gaming hardware is, however, remains to be seen. A job listing discovered by Engadget this week offers more clues as to what that hardware could be, specifically pointing to job skills like "hardware design, prototyping, testing, and production across a wide range of platforms."

Getting more direct, the "electronics engineer" position entails working "with the hardware team to conceive, design, evaluate, and produce new types of input, output, and platform hardware." Wait, platform hardware? That sounds an awful lot like the Steam Box rumors we heard earlier this year (rumors that were later semi-shut down).

But don't get your hopes up just yet - just because Valve is experimenting with different types of hardware doesn't mean that it's looking to produce a piece of consumer hardware any time soon. We've reached out to Valve for further clarity, but aren't expecting much beyond silence.

JoystiqValve job listing points to hardware plans for 'whole new gaming experiences' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electronics-engineerhardwarehiringjob-listingmacpcsteam-boxsteamboxvalvevalve-softwareFri, 13 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/nexon-valve-announce-counter-strike-online-2-for-asian-territor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/nexon-valve-announce-counter-strike-online-2-for-asian-territor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/nexon-valve-announce-counter-strike-online-2-for-asian-territor/#comments ImageSouth Korean developer Nexon this week announced Counter-Strike Online 2, a sequel to its successful made-for-Asian-gaming-cafes port of the original Counter-Strike. Developed under license from Valve, Counter-Strike Online 2 will launch in China, South Korea, Japan and "other areas in Southeast Asia" on a future date.

When it does launch, it'll run on an "enhanced" version of the Source Engine and feature "enhanced graphics, more realistic gameplay and powerful impact sensations," the latter of which troubles us slightly considering the game is primarily about bullets impacting squishy human bodies. We're not in a huge rush to experience that firsthand.

Continue reading Nexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories

JoystiqNexon, Valve announce Counter-Strike Online 2 for Asian territories originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiaChinaCounter-strikecounter-strike-online-2CS-online-2CSO2JapanNexonpcSouth-KoreaSoutheast-AsiaValveFri, 06 Apr 2012 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve puts fake Half-Life: Episode 3 listing on Steam for April Fools' Day [Update: Nope]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/valve-puts-fake-half-life-episode-3-listing-on-steam-for-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/valve-puts-fake-half-life-episode-3-listing-on-steam-for-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/valve-puts-fake-half-life-episode-3-listing-on-steam-for-april/#comments Damn it, Valve.

UPDATE: We've discovered that this website is a fake and does not actually belong to Valve. We were duped by a fake April Fools' Day joke posing as a real April Fools' Day joke and sincerely apologize for passing this along to you as fact.

JoystiqValve puts fake Half-Life: Episode 3 listing on Steam for April Fools' Day [Update: Nope] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 20:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-fools-2012half-lifehalf-life-episode-3steamvalveSun, 01 Apr 2012 20:34:00 EST<![CDATA[DOTA 2 patch files hint at microtransactions, more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/dota-2-patch-files-hint-at-microtransactions-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/dota-2-patch-files-hint-at-microtransactions-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/dota-2-patch-files-hint-at-microtransactions-more/#comments As is their wont, players have been rustling through some of the test build files for Valve's upcoming Dota 2, and they've found signs of some interesting (but still unofficial) features already. First and foremost, Valve hasn't yet determined exactly what the monetization model for the game will be, but it seems microtransactions will be a part of that model, as there are various announcers (including Half-Life's Dr. Kleiner), character taunts and skins, new hero items, and a few other goodies that may be purchasable either with an in-game currency, or with real money.

There are also new kinds of couriers to buy (animal pets, basically, that will ferry items back and forth from your base), and there's one more consumable: Something called souls. A "Repentant Soul" will supposedly get players out of the "low priority punishment queue" when used, which suggests some sort of "pay or be punished" system. Gabe Newell mentioned just such a system last year, where he talked about Valve charging players "based on how much fun they are to play with." In other words, act stupid in game, get punished, and then you may have to pay your way out of jail.

Finally, "treasure caches" are mentioned in the files. They'll probably work the same way that Team Fortress 2's crates do, where you get items that need to be unlocked with a key. This is all good news for those waiting for Dota 2 -- since Valve said it wouldn't worry about monetization until the fun was in there first, the game must be almost done, right?

JoystiqDOTA 2 patch files hint at microtransactions, more originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcerscratesdota-2dr-kleineritemslootmicrotransactionspcsalesskinstreasure-cachesvalveThu, 22 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Life-size inflatable Portal turrets: the secret to a sophisticated home]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/life-size-inflatable-portal-turrets-the-secret-to-a-sophisticat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/life-size-inflatable-portal-turrets-the-secret-to-a-sophisticat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/life-size-inflatable-portal-turrets-the-secret-to-a-sophisticat/#comments There are plenty of shows on HGTV that will try to convince you their opinions on decorating are the end-all, be-all definition of tactful home decor, but that just ain't true. In fact, we doubt any decorating show currently broadcast today would recommend these new life-sized inflatable Portal turrets from Think Geek, even though they're clearly the coolest.

At $24.99 a pop, these 40-inch replicas can add a touch of sophistication to literally any room in your house, provided said room isn't located in the vacuum of space -- these are inflatable, after all. Best of all, these helpful sentries aren't produced in limited quantities like some other Portal merchandise we've seen lately, which means your only decorating limitation is the depth of your wallet. Remember, nothing says class like the incredibly specific smell of inflatable plastic toys.

JoystiqLife-size inflatable Portal turrets: the secret to a sophisticated home originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inflatablemerchportalportal-2portal-turretthink-geektoyturretvalveWed, 21 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal Gun arrives at Think Geek, goes on sale mid May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/portal-gun-arrives-at-think-geek-goes-on-sale-mid-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/portal-gun-arrives-at-think-geek-goes-on-sale-mid-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/portal-gun-arrives-at-think-geek-goes-on-sale-mid-may/#comments Despite a brief scare last week, NECA's replica Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device is still on its way to virtual store shelves, albeit in fairly limited quantities. Think Geek's listing for the gun has gone up with an estimated availability date of May 18, although pre-orders do not appear to be part of the plan.

Instead, interested enthusiasts register to receive an email notification once the Portal gun goes on sale; from there it's first come, first serve. NECA has only manufactured 5,000 of the $140 replicas, and considering that Portal 2 sold three million copies in its first two months on the market, we expect demand to be fairly high. Remember when you learned about sharing in kindergarden? This is why.

JoystiqPortal Gun arrives at Think Geek, goes on sale mid May originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aperture-Science-Handheld-Portal-DeviceASHPDmacmicrosoftNECApcplaystationportal-2portal-gunps3Think-GeekvalvexboxMon, 19 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The importance of playtesting: What Portal 2 could have been]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/the-importance-of-playtesting-what-portal-2-could-have-been/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/the-importance-of-playtesting-what-portal-2-could-have-been/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/the-importance-of-playtesting-what-portal-2-could-have-been/#comments When Erik Wolpaw and Chet Faliszek first sat down to write Portal 2, they went mad. It certainly appears that way now, when the final version of Portal 2 that shipped in 2011 was such a resounding success, especially for a highly anticipated sequel. The first iteration Wolpaw and Faliszek envisioned got rid of three important mechanics in the Portal universe: Chell, GLaDOS and, as we knew and are still reeling over, portals. In a talk at GDC, Wolpaw and Faliszek explained why they thought that was a good idea, and how they learned it was pretty much the dumbest thing ever.

The original Portal 2 had three new things in place of the classic ideas: F-stop (the new portal mechanic), Cave Johnson (antagonist replacement) and Betty (GLaDOS substitute). Betty was a knee-high personality sphere on wheels, a piece of concept art showed, and she spoke in quick legalese, "like those ads for medicine where they show puppies while they talk about the rectal bleeding you're going to have," Wolpaw said.

Continue reading The importance of playtesting: What Portal 2 could have been

JoystiqThe importance of playtesting: What Portal 2 could have been originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chellchet-faliszekErik-Wolpawgdc-2012GLAdOSmicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2portalsps3valvexboxThu, 08 Mar 2012 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve debunks rumors of 'Steam Box' console PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/valve-debunks-rumors-of-steam-box-console-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/valve-debunks-rumors-of-steam-box-console-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/valve-debunks-rumors-of-steam-box-console-pc/#comments Valve has quashed rumors that it is developing a console-like "Steam Box" hardware standard for its Steam service. Valve's Doug Lombardi told Kotaku that the company is "building boxes" to test its "Big Picture" initiative, which will make Steam play nice with PC setups that use a television set as a display. Lombardi also noted that Valve is experimenting with things like biometric feedback, which was another aspect of the console rumor, but that such experimentation is "a long way from Valve shipping any sort of hardware."

That said, Lombardi did not dismiss the possibility of Valve-developed hardware in the future.

JoystiqValve debunks rumors of 'Steam Box' console PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcsteamsteam-boxvalveThu, 08 Mar 2012 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Yep, Gabe Newell is a billionaire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/yep-gabe-newell-is-a-billionaire/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/yep-gabe-newell-is-a-billionaire/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/yep-gabe-newell-is-a-billionaire/#comments Gabe Newell has an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion, ranking 854th of the 1,226 billionaires in the world. Normally a video game exec being ranked 854th in something wouldn't matter much, but when that rank is in the "these people have at least one billion dollars" list, even the losers are news. Newell owns more than 50 percent of Valve, which has an estimated enterprise value of $3 billion -- conservatively -- meaning Newell is actually probably worth more than $1.5 billion.

If Valve begins a Kickstarter campaign for Half-Life, Portal or Left 4 Dead 3 any time soon, perhaps then outrage would be warranted.

Yeah.

JoystiqYep, Gabe Newell is a billionaire originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billionaireforbesgabe-newellmacmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3STEAMvalvexboxWed, 07 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Building Counter-Strike: Global Offensive atop a strong community]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/building-counter-strike-global-offensive-atop-a-strong-communit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/building-counter-strike-global-offensive-atop-a-strong-communit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/building-counter-strike-global-offensive-atop-a-strong-communit/#comments I can't imagine how hard it is to be a development studio with some of the most beloved franchises under its belt. Fans expect so much. It can't be easy to be Valve -- doubly so when trying to develop the next entry in one of the studio's popular competitive franchises, Counter-Strike. Valve's Chet Faliszek really wants to please the fans and eventual communities that will spring up around Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Gallery: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (9/22/11)

Continue reading Building Counter-Strike: Global Offensive atop a strong community

JoystiqBuilding Counter-Strike: Global Offensive atop a strong community originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chet-faliszekcounter-strike-global-offensivemacmicrosoftpcplaystationps3valvexboxxbox-showcase-2012Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive loses cross-play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/counter-strike-global-offensive-loses-cross-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/counter-strike-global-offensive-loses-cross-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/counter-strike-global-offensive-loses-cross-play/#comments A lot can change in six months. As of last summer, Valve had planned to offer cross-play for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on the PC, Mac, and PS3. But based on what it's learned from the beta, Valve has decided to strip the functionality in favor of offering constant updates for players on the PC and Mac.

"The beta has proved we want to update not just the beta, but the game itself post-launch frequently on the PC," Valve's Chet Faliszek revealed to Joystiq. "To do that we need to separate the platforms so one doesn't hamstring the other. So for that, we have removed the idea of cross-platform play -- essentially make all platforms stronger by not mixing them."

If you would like to get into the ongoing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive beta, fill out Valve's survey. If you want cross-play back in the game, wait to sign one of the dozens of online petitions currently being created.

JoystiqCounter-Strike: Global Offensive loses cross-play originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betachet-faliszekcounter-strike-global-offensivemacpcplaystationps3steamvalvexbox-showcase-2012Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Valve working on 'Steam Box' console standard with customizable controller, biometrics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/rumor-valve-working-on-steam-box-console-standard-with-custom/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/rumor-valve-working-on-steam-box-console-standard-with-custom/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/rumor-valve-working-on-steam-box-console-standard-with-custom/#comments Valve has already revolutionized PC gaming distribution with its industry-leading Steam platform, and now it has its sights set on bringing that same level of innovation to your living room, according to a report from The Verge.

Valve is said to be working on hardware and software specifications for a "Steam Box;" which will actually be a unified console standard available to interested hardware manufacturers, rather than a specific console produced by Valve itself. Similar arrangements have been tried previously in the home console market, most notably the Philips CD-i and 3DO Interactive Multiplayer standards. Should rumors be believed, the Alienware X51 has already been developed to Steam Box standards and will be retroactively infused with Valve's software once it becomes available.

The hardware backbone is currently said to be an Intel Core i7 with eight gigs of RAM and an Nvidia GPU. Devices built on the standard will reportedly run any PC title, and will also support other digital distribution platforms like EA's Origin service.

A patent for a controller with interchangeable parts, filed by Valve, has also been discovered by The Verge. Diagrams show functionality strongly reminiscent of the MLG Pro controller by Mad Catz, as well a use case depicting interaction with a local gaming device and a networked "gaming server device."

The rabbit hole goes much deeper, however, as "sources" claim that mood-tracking biometric systems will be implemented into the system, either in the form of bracelets or directly into Steam Box controllers. This would allow a game to measure the player's pulse rate and galvanic skin response, the gameplay/design implications of which are numerous.

Should all this prove accurate, Valve's official announcement will happen sometime between GDC and E3, and will cause the fabric of reality to fold in on itself.

JoystiqRumor: Valve working on 'Steam Box' console standard with customizable controller, biometrics originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alienware-X51biometricssteam-boxsteamboxvalveSat, 03 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Replica Portal gun coming from NECA in late spring/early summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/replica-portal-gun-coming-from-neca-in-late-spring-early-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/replica-portal-gun-coming-from-neca-in-late-spring-early-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/replica-portal-gun-coming-from-neca-in-late-spring-early-summer/#comments Portal has been around for about five years at this point, and over the years we've suffered countless fits of unreasonable jealousy due to the multitudes of homemade, replica Aperture Science Handheld Portal Devices floating around the Internet. Many a night have been spent fantasizing about somehow owning our own without taking out a second mortgage, and now the dream can finally become a reality.

Well, not now now, but in a few months. NECA Toys is developing a line of licensed Valve products that include Team Fortress 2, Half Life and Left 4 Dead 2 action figures, but the crowning jewel of the series is NECA's one-to-one scale ASHPD replica. It lights up and everything. The device should be available somewhere around May or June of this year and retail for $130, according a brief video interview with NECA's Randy Falk at The Verge. We predict a mad rush on Repulsion, Propulsion and Conversion gel and Long Fall socks as soon as these things hit the shelves.

Gallery: Portal 2 (NECA Portal Gun)

JoystiqReplica Portal gun coming from NECA in late spring/early summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aperture-ScienceAperture-Science-Handheld-Portal-DevicemacmicrosoftNECANECA-ToyspcplaystationPortalportal-2portal-gunps3replicatoysValvexboxThu, 23 Feb 2012 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Fill out a survey, get beta access to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/fill-out-a-survey-get-beta-access-to-counter-strike-global-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/fill-out-a-survey-get-beta-access-to-counter-strike-global-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/fill-out-a-survey-get-beta-access-to-counter-strike-global-off/#comments Thousands of players already have their hot little hands on the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive beta, but Valve is just itching to give out more to those willing to fill out a survey. The survey is broken into two parts, a hardware survey conducted via Steam and a short questionnaire. The questions revolve around expected topics -- FPS experience, favorite Counter-Strike version, weapons and maps, etc.

Starting next week, Valve will award beta keys to a batch of survey respondents. There are no "wrong" answers to the survey, according to Valve, so we're really hoping no one looks into our 12.9 K/D ratio. You can find the survey on the Counter-Strike blog.

JoystiqFill out a survey, get beta access to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacounter-strike-global-offensivepcvalveThu, 23 Feb 2012 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Gabe Newell: Valve is excited about wearable computers, open hardware]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/gabe-newell-valve-is-excited-about-wearable-computers-open-har/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/gabe-newell-valve-is-excited-about-wearable-computers-open-har/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/gabe-newell-valve-is-excited-about-wearable-computers-open-har/#comments Finally, we have a concrete reason for the eternal delay of Half-Life 2 Episode 3: Valve head Gabe Newell is more interested in wearable computing. OK, that's not directly why Valve hasn't announced a new Half-Life title, but wearable computing and hardware development are definitely something Valve is interested in, Newell told Penny Arcade Report.

Wearable computers -- think Star Trek communication badges, wrist-bound touchscreens or SixthSense -- are seeing a resurgence, and Valve is doing its own research into how they might function as gaming devices. Wearable computers now are "way higher resolution, way lighter weight, much better battery life," and Valve is doing its own research into this technology through biometrics, and is excited to see where it goes, Newell said.

"So we're thinking of trying to figure out how to do the equivalent of the [Team Fortress] incremental approach in software design and try to figure out how would you get something similar to that in the hardware space as well," he said. If Valve were to produce hardware, it would be something easy to iterate so customers don't have to buy 10 million devices, Newell said. Of course, that's if.

"Well, if we have to sell hardware we will," Newell said. "We have no reason to believe we're any good at it; it's more we think that we need to continue to have innovation and if the only way to get these kind of projects started is by us going and developing and selling the hardware directly then that's what we'll do."

No company is safe from irrelevance, as far as Newell sees it, and even Microsoft and Sony can suffer the same fate as Atari and Commodore if they continue to create closed systems and don't innovate. "As soon as Valve stops doing interesting, innovative work we're gonna be left behind," Newell stated, unfortunately missing the "left for dead" pun opportunity.

JoystiqGabe Newell: Valve is excited about wearable computers, open hardware originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gabe-newellhalf-life-2-episode-3half-life-3iosipadmacmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3valvewearable-computerwearable-gaming-interfacexboxMon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer free on Steam this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/modern-warfare-3-multiplayer-free-on-steam-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/modern-warfare-3-multiplayer-free-on-steam-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/modern-warfare-3-multiplayer-free-on-steam-this-weekend/#comments Did you know the weekend technically starts now? According to Steam it does, anyway. Don't even bother showing up to work tomorrow.

Steam users will have access to Modern Warfare 3's full multiplayer suite of modes starting right now. All you have to do is install the game and you can play as much multiplayer as you want until Monday -- unless you want to buy the game, of course.

JoystiqModern Warfare 3 multiplayer free on Steam this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmodern-warfare-3pcRaven-Softwaresledgehammer-gamessteamvalveThu, 16 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Killing Floor celebrates one million murderers served with midweek sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/killing-floor-celebrates-one-million-murderers-served-with-midwe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/killing-floor-celebrates-one-million-murderers-served-with-midwe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/killing-floor-celebrates-one-million-murderers-served-with-midwe/#comments How does one celebrate a milestone nowadays? It's been a while since we've had time to celebrate anything, constantly minding our posts in the trenches of hard-nosed games journalism and all. Do you eat a nice meal? Partake in a round of putt-putt?

For Tripwire Interactive, the only way to celebrate is by slashing prices. The studio's co-op survival horror game, Killing Floor, is on sale for $2.99 as a result of recently selling its one millionth copy. Over the last few years, Killing Floor players have racked up 45 million hours of playtime and killed over 500 million enemies. Man, that floor must be getting stickier than a neglected cinema aisle.

You have until Thursday to take advantage of the sale.

JoystiqKilling Floor celebrates one million murderers served with midweek sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opkilling-floorpcsteamtripwire-interactivevalveWed, 15 Feb 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Dear Esther has wandered onto Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/psa-dear-esther-has-wandered-onto-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/psa-dear-esther-has-wandered-onto-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/psa-dear-esther-has-wandered-onto-steam/#comments Moving away from de rigueur violence, we're excited to hear about the re-release of Dear Esther, a moody game and former mod that is -- last we checked -- in no way about explosions and wars.

Dear Esther is available for $9.99 right now on Steam. It's an adventure game for the Windows PC where, as a lost man, you explore a massive and beautiful island. Go ahead and thank Valve's Source engine, which powered Portal 2, for the "beautiful" part.

JoystiqPSA: Dear Esther has wandered onto Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuredear-estherindiepcsteamthechineseroomvalveTue, 14 Feb 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard taking Valve to court over 'DOTA' trademark]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/blizzard-taking-valve-to-court-over-dota-trademark/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/blizzard-taking-valve-to-court-over-dota-trademark/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/blizzard-taking-valve-to-court-over-dota-trademark/#comments Which giant company has the rights to the fan-created, community-promoted word "Dota?" That's up to the courts now. Blizzard has filed a Notice of Opposition with the US Patent and Trademark Office, seeking to block Valve's registration of the word. The word has been used exclusively in reference to a (mod of a) Blizzard game, the document explains. "By virtue of that use, the DOTA mark has become firmly associated in the mind of consumers with Blizzard, including to signify a highly popular scenario or variant of one of Blizzard's best-selling computer games, Warcraft III."

Valve, the document goes on to claim, hasn't used the word for anything yet. There's also a lot of history of Warcraft III, which is a really strange thing to read in a legal document. The case is in discovery now, with pretrial procedures taking place throughout this year and into next. We hope this court proceeding doesn't delay either of the games, as those companies are quite capable of delaying their games on their own.

JoystiqBlizzard taking Valve to court over 'DOTA' trademark originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzard-dotadotadota-2legalpctrademarkunited-states-patent-and-trademark-officeusptovalveFri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skyrim's Fall of the Space Core mod may be hiding a Portal 2 quest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/skyrims-fall-of-the-space-core-mod-may-be-hiding-a-portal-2-que/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/skyrims-fall-of-the-space-core-mod-may-be-hiding-a-portal-2-que/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/skyrims-fall-of-the-space-core-mod-may-be-hiding-a-portal-2-que/#comments

Valve released Fall of the Space Core, Vol. 1 yesterday as a harmless, clever Skyrim mod featuring a personality sphere from the Portal franchise. As far as anyone could tell, the mod was a cute Easter Egg and the sphere itself didn't do anything -- at least, it hasn't done anything yet.

YouTuber Memborable's video -- the one right up there -- shows where to find the Space Core and runs down what is does (and doesn't do). He then accesses the console and types "help portal," which pulls up a list of all the things relating to "portal" in Skyrim. One of these things is titled "portal2quest."

Valve hasn't confirmed any Portal-themed quests in Skyrim, but as the mod is titled "Vol. 1," we wouldn't be surprised to see more content, and perhaps even, yes, an entire quest.

[Thanks, Jarrett!]

JoystiqSkyrim's Fall of the Space Core mod may be hiding a Portal 2 quest originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-Softworkselder-scrolls-5Fall-of-the-Space-Core-Vol-1modpcportalportal-2Portal-2-questskyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimvalveWed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TF2 in 2012: 'Meet the Pyro' is coming, more secrets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/tf2-in-2012-meet-the-pyro-is-coming-more-secrets/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/tf2-in-2012-meet-the-pyro-is-coming-more-secrets/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/tf2-in-2012-meet-the-pyro-is-coming-more-secrets/#comments Valve has finally put together its schedule of events for 2012, announcing the big things happening in Team Fortress 2 in the coming months. Most notably, Valve says its final character video, Meet the Pyro, will air in 2012 and it will feature "lots of blood pretty much all the way through."

The TF2 team is also working on a secret project that isn't a hat or a map, Valve reports. This leaves speculation open to new characters, a feature-length film, a live-action feature-length film, or a live-action feature-length film starring Brendan Gleeson, Jude Law and Emma Stone. These are the only options.

The Steam Workshop has a shiny new blog, and Valve says it plans to unveil another secret at the second annual Saxxy Awards. We're pretty sure this secret will be the announcement of the TF2 movie's sequel, starring Katherine Heigl as Brendan Gleeson and Brendan Fraser as everyone else.

JoystiqTF2 in 2012: 'Meet the Pyro' is coming, more secrets originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmeet-the-pyromicrosoftpcplaystationps3pyroSecretssteam-workshopTeam-Fortress-2valvexboxFri, 03 Feb 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve games come to Impulse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/valve-games-come-to-impulse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/valve-games-come-to-impulse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/valve-games-come-to-impulse/#comments Valve, proprietor of Steam -- which is basically the Walmart of PC digital distribution -- now has its games available on Impulse. Your confusion is as great as ours, but here we are.

The Impulse store, owned by GameStop, announced last week that Valve titles would become available on the service. Apparently, the shock of this caused almost everyone in the media not to report this fact for an awkward length of time.

The Valve games available through Impulse right now are Portal 2, Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, The Orange Box, and Half-Life Complete. Best part: the games still require Steam to play.

JoystiqValve games come to Impulse originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gamestophalf-life-2Impulseleft-4-deadleft-4-dead-2Orange-Boxpcportal-2SteamValveTue, 31 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA['This is Aperture' music video channels The Nightmare Before Christmas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/this-is-aperture-music-video-channels-the-nightmare-before-chr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/this-is-aperture-music-video-channels-the-nightmare-before-chr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/this-is-aperture-music-video-channels-the-nightmare-before-chr/#comments
This past holiday, while we were busy sipping eggnog and chorusing the neighbors with classic holiday tunes, a group of dedicated Steam forum members were creating an incredible Christmas music album featuring Valve characters. "Goodbye Christmas Caroline" spawned more than an album, though, as one especially holiday spirit-filled member then crafted an entire music video around one particular track.

"This is Aperture" takes the characters we've come to know and love fear from the world of Aperture Science and recasts them as singers in a magnificently dorky rendition of The Nightmare Before Christmas' "This is Halloween." Take a look at the rather impressive re-creation above and then compare it against the original just after the break! Consider it a late holiday gift from us to you, but, ya know, one that we totally didn't make.

Continue reading 'This is Aperture' music video channels The Nightmare Before Christmas

Joystiq'This is Aperture' music video channels The Nightmare Before Christmas originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aperture-scienceforumsgoodbye-christmas-carolineportal-2steamsteam-forumsthe-nightmare-before-christmasvalvevalve-softwareFri, 27 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam launches Android and iOS app for free, in beta]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/steam-launches-android-and-ios-app-for-free-in-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/steam-launches-android-and-ios-app-for-free-in-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/steam-launches-android-and-ios-app-for-free-in-beta/#comments Valve today announced and launched Steam applications for both iOS and Android platforms. The app, dubbed "Steam Mobile," allows users to chat, read a limited selection of syndicated gaming news (might we also suggest another mobile app for that?), browse groups and profiles, and purchase games while on the go. Like many Valve products before it, the App is launching in limited beta, with only invitees currently able to log in. Snagging the App and attempting to sign in lets Valve know that you're interested, and select folks will then receive an invite should they be chosen.

Company president and co-founder Gabe Newell said the app comes at the request of many fans over the years -- it marks Valve's first foray into the mobile space. "Mobile is changing the way people interact, play games and consume media, and the Steam app is part of our commitment to meet customer demands and expand the service functionality of Steam to make it richer and more accessible for everyone," Newell said.

No news is given regarding the potential for iOS or Android game selling through the Steam mobile portal, but it seems unlikely -- at least on Apple devices -- given various terms of service restrictions regarding competition with the official application stores. Both the Android and iOS versions are available as of right now.

JoystiqSteam launches Android and iOS app for free, in beta originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemobilesteamsteam-mobilevalvevalve-softwareThu, 26 Jan 2012 14:40:00 EST