Joystiq

Halo Legends Blu-ray dated Feb. 9, 2010; perfect fanboy storm approaches

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:27:00 EST

A year ago, the following sentence would have been absolutely, totally, and in all other ways inconceivable: The Blu-ray edition of the Halo Legends anime project is scheduled for release on February 9, 2010. The impossible union of Halo and Blu-ray will not only arrive on the same day as the DVD release, but it will also contain an exclusive overview of the series through the events of Halo 3. As Blu-ray.com risibly puts it, "Soon you'll be able to play Halo on your PS3."

Now, we'd like to think that this generation of consoles is far enough along that this news won't ruffle any fanboy feathers. Then again, we'd also like to think that HD DVD, in all its awesomeness, is poised for a comeback. Just remember, Halo fans, Blu-ray discs are not your enemy. Cliffhangers are.

Halo Legends Blu-ray dated Feb. 9, 2010; perfect fanboy storm approaches originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix explains why it wants Eidos

Justin McElroy — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:30:00 EST

Like a middle-aged woman who spends half of Feb. 15 explaining to her mother why a new toilet brush and a night of darts is as much a Valentine's Day as she can expect from Lyle, Square Enix has gone on the record with the precise reasons it has an interest in buying struggling publisher Eidos. In addition to the dev houses included in the deal, the company has its eye on Hitman, Tomb Raider, Deus Ex and Kane & Lynch.

Meanwhile, and surprising no one, 20-percent Eidos shareholder Warner Bros.* says it's putting its support behind the deal and honestly, it's kind of hard to blame it.

*Did you know Time Warner is our parent company? Well, now you do.

Source -- Warner backs Square Enix's bid for Eidos
Source -- Square Enix Cites "Major" Eidos Franchises

Square Enix explains why it wants Eidos originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warner appoints former MGS exec to oversee Seattle studios

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST

"Utilising her expertise to direct our Seattle studios in several key areas, we are looking forward to developing quality games under her leadership in the most efficient ways." That's what Samantha Ryan, Warner Interactive's senior vice president, has to say about the company's latest appointment. Former Microsoft Games Studios executive producer, Laura Fryer, will now oversee Warner Interactive's Seattle studios, which include Snowblind Studios and the FEAR-ful folks at Monolith Productions.

There's no word yet on which quality games are due to be developed under Fryer's leadership in the most efficient ways, but here's one that can't be made efficiently enough: No One Lives Forever 3. We all look like we need a monkey.

Warner appoints former MGS exec to oversee Seattle studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Warner Bros. rebooting Tomb Raider film (sans Megan Fox)

Xav de Matos — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360

Warner Bros. is preparing to restart Lara Croft's celluloid career, reports ComingSoon.net. The rights to a Tomb Raider film were reportedly included in the deal when Warner acquired approximately 20% of publisher Eidos last year. How this particular franchise reboot -- overseen by producer Dan Lin -- ties in with Eidos' alleged plan to redesign the iconic protagonist (again!) remains to be seen.

Chances are she won't be played by Megan Fox, though. According to a rumor making the rounds yesterday, the Transformers star was poised to succeed Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft in a third Tomb Raider film. However, according to What They Play, Fox's spokesperson says the actress is "not involved in the movie at all."

Sorry, Fox fans; looks like the role of Lara still belongs to Angelina.

Source -- Warner Bros. Rebooting Tomb Raider
Source -- Megan Fox is not the new Lara Croft

Report: Warner Bros. rebooting Tomb Raider film (sans Megan Fox) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warner Music wants more money for licensed songs

Jason Dobson — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Business

Developers vying for a slice of the rhythm game pie may soon find the cost to dig in to be increasing -- at least if they want players to nod along with music they know. According to Reuters, Warner Music's top exec Edgar Bronfman has come forward, stating that game companies should pay more to the music industry in order to include licensed tunes in their music-based games.

Says Bronfman, who compared the relationship to the likes of MTV or Apple's iPod, "The amount being paid to the music industry, even though their games are entirely dependent on the content we own and control, is far too small." Given Warner's interest in music currently flowing through both Guitar Hero III and Rock Band, not to mention the war that is about to unfold on living room stages later this year, it will be interesting to see who will 5-star this game of financial tug-of-war.

Warner Music wants more money for licensed songs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Martin Tremblay appointed president of WB Interactive Entertainment

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:15:00 EST

Filed under: Business

Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment continues to show how serious it is about all that "interactive entertainment" nonsense with its appointment of Martin Tremblay as President. Before your fingers stretch out towards the keyboard to type "WHO?!!11" into the comments, know that the man used to be President of Worldwide Studios at Vivendi Games during the release of several games, including Scarface: The World is Yours, F.E.A.R (console version), World in Conflict, and some titles in the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro franchises.

Tremblay has also acted as President and Chief Operating Officer at Ubisoft Montreal. During his tenure, he oversaw the developer's employee expansion plans, as well popular franchises like Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six and Not Tom Clancy's Prince of Persia.

Tremblay's new job will see him steering "the long-term direction of the studio's worldwide interactive entertainment strategy," overseeing publishing, marketing, sales, distribution, licensing and business development of WBIE's products, and taking advantage of that £60 million investment in SCi Entertainment.

Martin Tremblay appointed president of WB Interactive Entertainment originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scratch that, no four play co-op for LEGO: Indy

Dustin Burg — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

We'll apologize in advance to those fanboys who have an obsessive love of the LEGO franchise and were looking forward to LEGO: Indiana Jones' four player online co-op. True, it was "confirmed" a few days ago by the crew over at MTV Multiplayer, but we've since learned that four player co-op has been ... "un-confirmed".

MTV Multiplayer just posted a mild retraction after a LEGO: Indy producer cleared up the four player miscommunication. The new official details state that the game will allow for four players to be on the screen at once, but only two players can be controlled at any given time. Not four. And really, that's a big bummer. We guess we'll just have to stick with Halo 3 if we want four player co-op shenanigans. Stupid bricks.

Scratch that, no four play co-op for LEGO: Indy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LEGO: Indiana Jones gets four player online co-op

Dustin Burg — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

The ever enthusiast crew over at MTV Multiplayer recently received some hands on time with Traveller's Tales' upcoming LEGO: Indiana Jones and whilst deep in their brick adventure, learned an interesting co-op tidbit. Traveller's confirmed that LEGO: Indy will join the Halo 3's of the world in becoming a rarity among all games by allowing gamers to play their Indiana Jones adventure online with up to three other friends. That's right, four player LEGO online co-op! We love us our online co-op ... yum!

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

LEGO: Indiana Jones gets four player online co-op originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 still open to Blu-ray add-on should HD-DVD fail

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, CES

Following Warner's departure from the HD-DVD ship last week, Microsoft is once again fielding questions regarding the future of its Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive add-on. As is consistent with comments made previously by Scott Henson and Peter Moore, the HD-DVD supporter is still open to a Blu-ray drive should Toshiba's high-definition film format meet its demise. Speaking to Reuters, Xbox's group marketing manager Albert Penello has called it "something we'll have to consider" if "consumer choice" demands it.

Microsoft's initial decision to keep HD-DVD separate from the Xbox 360 hardware has always been trotted out under the "consumer choice" banner, with cost reduction cited as an immediate benefit. Of course, it also makes bailing out a lot easier should white flags start to go up. It may seem strange to envision Microsoft supporting a format so entwined with a competing console, but the company's not likely to shed a tear for discs when there's money to be made in the Xbox Live Video Marketplace.

Update: A further comment from Microsoft emphasizes that despite Penello's comments, HD-DVD hasn't gone away just yet: "Microsoft currently has no plans at this time to consider Blu-ray as an option. We continue to believe that HD DVD is the best optical solution for consumers, since it's the only format today that delivers quality experiences at affordable prices."

Xbox 360 still open to Blu-ray add-on should HD-DVD fail originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Paramount to jump the HD DVD ship too? [update]

Dustin Burg — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Rumors

Update: Paramount released a statement today saying that their "current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format". Good news we say, although the the whole "current plan" wording doesn't put us at complete ease.

HD DVD is getting its metaphorical bum whipped lately and things do not look to be getting any brighter.

The Financial Times has cooked up the latest HD DVD versus Blu-ray rumor and are claiming that Paramount may be close to announcing that they're going Blu-ray exclusive and abandon their multi-million dollar partnership with the HD DVD camp. The rumor is based on sources close to Paramount's deal with Toshiba saying that there is a clause in the contract that allows Paramount to back Blu-ray in the event Warner Bros. goes blu. And wouldn't you know, last week Warner did just that. If Paramount were to jump to Blu-ray then Sony would have a massive choke hold on the HD format war further pushing their movie studio support higher than their current 70% rate. The other question mark in the equation is Dreamworks who are best buds with Paramount and are said to have a similar contract with Toshiba. Oh well, there's always Universal. They got HD DVD's back ... don't they?

[Via Gizmodo, Thanks DjDATZ]

Rumor: Paramount to jump the HD DVD ship too? [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Fruit Fall potentially falling into DS

JC Fletcher — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:50:00 EST

Filed under: News, Rumors

A Wii version of Super Fruit Fall came out around the UK Wii launch, and it was rated by the ESRB for release stateside. Now the puzzle game is headed to a new home on the DS via Warner Home Video Games, according to GameStop/EBGames. The retailer is listing a DS version of Super Fruit Fall for $19.99, to be released on November 15th.

Super Fruit Fall is a block-matching puzzle game in which three pieces of the same color disappear when adjacent; you move pieces around by rotating the stage. In the course of our exhaustive research for this post, we played the Flash version of Fruit Fall (careful: NSFW ads), and found it ... incredibly frustrating. That doesn't mean that Super Fruit Fall isn't a good puzzle game. It just means that we're angry now.

[Via Siliconera]

Super Fruit Fall potentially falling into DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warner Music acquires Microsoft game music rights

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

Warner Chappell Music, the publishing division of Warner Music Group, has reached an agreement to claim, administer, and license music compositions owned and controlled by Microsoft. The catalog includes several thousand compositions; notably those featured in the Halo, Age of Empires, Fable, and Kameo series. Music composed for future Microsoft published games is also included in the deal.

Warner Chappell will be responsible for creating new opportunities to showcase Microsoft's music worldwide. "By partnering with Warner Chappell, we can continue to extend the value and experiences for our music and also inspire and give further recognition to the composers who are dedicated to working on video games," said Microsoft senior director Ed Ventura.

Warner Music acquires Microsoft game music rights originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former governor speaks in Second Life [update 1]

Kyle Orland — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC, MMO

Former Virginia Governor and potential 2008 presidential candidate Mark Warner became the first politician to make a public appearance in an MMO yesterday, speaking to a small crowd of avatars in Second Life on issues ranging from the Iraq war to abortion. Warner, who is also founder of cell phone company Nextel, literally flew onto the stage at the start of the event, leading interviewer Hamlet Au to comment that he is "not a noob."

The lightly-attended event was put on by Warner's Forward Together PAC and Second Life promotional group Millions of Us as part of an effort to "go where the voters are," according to Forward Together staffer Nancy Mandelbrot. Warner didn't take audience questions during the event, but promised that he would be back for a virtual "town hall" meeting soon.

With more and more voters spending more and more time in virtual worlds, is Warner on the leading edge of a new form of campaigning? Or is this appearance a gimmick that won't have any long-term effect on politics?

[Update: Changed to reflect the fact that Warner is a former Virginia Governor, not current.]

Former governor speaks in Second Life [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Sep 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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