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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The DS Life: More of the same]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/the-ds-life-more-of-the-same/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/the-ds-life-more-of-the-same/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/the-ds-life-more-of-the-same/#commentsFiled under:


No one's looking -- at least, no one she can see -- which means it's the right moment for a little break. After the chaos of doing and cleaning and accomplishing, it's such a relief to reach into a pocket and feel the cool, smooth corners of a DS Lite. The oblivion of game time is only a few seconds away, and when that's all you have to spare, those moments are precious.

Continue reading The DS Life: More of the same

JoystiqThe DS Life: More of the same originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaktimekitchenworkWed, 30 Jul 2008 23:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Comp-related degree enrollment down 50%]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/report-comp-related-degree-enrollment-down-50/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/report-comp-related-degree-enrollment-down-50/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/report-comp-related-degree-enrollment-down-50/#commentsFiled under: ,


The US may soon join the UK in having a shortage of skilled video game labor. The AP reports that fewer college students are receiving computer-related degrees, an ill-timed problem when baby boomers are now starting to retire. The Computing Research association found a 20% drop this year in students completing a bachelors in IT fields, and enrollment in undergrad computer science degrees is 50% lower than five years ago.

Specifically within the gaming industry, EA's vice-president of talent acquisition says the company is working more directly with colleges to recruit, offer internships and "shape curriculum." Both EA and Microsoft express that many students aren't graduating with the skills needed by the company. Oh, come on, everyone needs drama majors!

JoystiqReport: Comp-related degree enrollment down 50% originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jobslaborworkworkersMon, 23 Jun 2008 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Work and play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ds-daily-work-and-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ds-daily-work-and-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ds-daily-work-and-play/#commentsFiled under:

Semi-ironically, while our job (exclusively) entails talking about video games night and day, it doesn't leave as many openings as you'd think to play them. It's encouraged as a part of Game Night, and, of course, a required component of reviewing, but other than that, gaming at work is a no-go for us.

Do you have a DS-capable job? Have you been able to sneak a little Ouendan in at work occasionally, or are you in one of the rare and lucky positions in which you can openly make OBJECTION!s on your Senior Version? Some of you must have the sort of all-night desk jobs that lead to extra game time.

JoystiqDS Daily: Work and play originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>workMon, 11 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: One in four white collar workers game at work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/study-one-in-four-white-collar-workers-game-at-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/study-one-in-four-white-collar-workers-game-at-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/study-one-in-four-white-collar-workers-game-at-work/#commentsFiled under: ,

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a job like ours that lets -- nay, encourages -- you to play games while on the job. That doesn't seem to stop many white collar workers, though, according to a recent study commissioned by casual game maker PopCap.

The study, conducted by Information Solutions Group, found that 24 percent of white collar workers played games while on the job. More surprising (or perhaps less, depending on how cynical you are) a full 35 percent of the senior executives surveyed said they gamed at work. Of those who played at work, 53 percent said they did so at least once a day and 14 percent admitted they played during business meetings or conference calls. The overwhelming majority of work gamers said they did it to "feel more relaxed and less stressed out."

Before you go decrying the death of the American work ethic, realize that the survey was conducted on 2,842 random visitors to Popcap.com, a group likely to be playing games anyway. The results might also be skewed because the overwhelming majority (72 percent) of respondents were female, and, as we all know, women make up a majority of casual gamers. Still, take comfort the next time you sneak in a quick game of coffee break Tetris. You're not alone.

JoystiqStudy: One in four white collar workers game at work originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>officepopcapsurveyworkWed, 05 Sep 2007 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Companies looking to make work more like games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/companies-looking-to-make-work-more-like-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/companies-looking-to-make-work-more-like-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/companies-looking-to-make-work-more-like-games/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wish you could play games at work? You know, without having to sneak around? Soon you might be able to. Entrepreneur.com has a short report on the growing number of companies and government agencies that are making their work interfaces more like games.

The article doesn't go into much detail, but organizations from IBM to Microsoft and even the military are looking to integrating games into their work processes. The move comes partly because an increasing part of the workforce are growing up with "neuropathways ... being formed around game logic," according to John Beck, co-author of The Kids Are Alright.

It's fine in concept, but we're skeptical that any game can make the drudgery of cubicle life more enjoyable. Regardless, playing games at work will bring a new meaning to the term daily grind. *rim shot*

JoystiqCompanies looking to make work more like games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>funofficeseriousseriousgamesworkFri, 27 Jul 2007 15:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Insomniac lands 8th in the '50 Best Companies to Work For' list]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/insomniac-lands-8th-in-the-50-best-companies-to-work-for-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/insomniac-lands-8th-in-the-50-best-companies-to-work-for-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/insomniac-lands-8th-in-the-50-best-companies-to-work-for-list/#commentsFiled under: ,


Ratchet & Clank, Resistance: Fall of Man, and Spyro creator Insomniac Games recently placed 8th in the Society for Human Resource Management's "50 Best Companies to Work For" list. The list recognizes small businesses with "smart people management strategies [that] develop successful organizations with highly productive and satisfied workforces". In non-Dilbert-speak: good management makes for happy employees and thus a productive company. Not only is Insomniac the first and only videogame company on the list, it's the first company in the history of the small business category to reach the top ten three years in a row!

Insomniac's founder and CEO Ted Price bragged about the PS3 launch of Resistance: "... we delivered a top-rated and top-selling game -- on time -- while retaining our Top 10 ranking as one of the best small companies to work for in America ...".

All without any heinous Church of England scandals, as well! Oh, wait ...

JoystiqInsomniac lands 8th in the '50 Best Companies to Work For' list originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forbesinsomniaclistworkMon, 25 Jun 2007 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/#commentsFiled under:

Loadletter beatdown
David: Hey, Jason, yeahhhh, I'm gonna need you to get on those JHS reports ... did you see the memo?

Jason: Uh, yeah, I saw it. Thanks, Dave.

David: Good, good. I'll let you get to it, then.

(Jason sighs, and begins to type frantically.)

Alisha: Heyyyyy, Jason, did you see the mem--

Jason: For the love of God, yes. I'm on it.

Alisha: No need to snap, Jason. Sounds like someone has a case of the Fridays.

(Jason mumbles as Alisha walks away. JC and Eric approach.)

JC: I can't believe it. I told those fudgepackers I liked JC's music. Me! I've never despised any form of sensory input as I do those songs.

Continue reading Japanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2007 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BossCubicleHardwareJapaneseJHSLoadletterNumbersOfficeReportsSalesSpaceStaplerTPSWorkFri, 18 May 2007 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/#commentsFiled under:

JHS Reports...worse than TPS Reports.
David: Hey, Jason, yeahhhh, I'm gonna need you to get on those JHS reports ... did you see the memo?

Jason: Uh, yeah, I saw it. Thanks, Dave.

David: Good, good. I'll let you get to it, then.

(Jason sighs, and begins to type frantically.)

Alisha: Heyyyyy, Jason, did you see the mem--

Jason: For the love of God, yes. I'm on it.

Alisha: No need to snap, Jason. Sounds like someone has a case of the Fridays.

(Jason mumbles as Alisha walks away. JC and Eric approach.)

JC: I can't believe it. I told those fudgepackers I liked JC's music. Me! I've never despised any form of sensory input as I do those songs.

Continue reading Japanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2007 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleBossCubicleEditionHardwareJapaneseJHSMacBookNumbersOfficeReportsSalesSpaceTPSWorkFri, 18 May 2007 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SXSW: The Inside Scoop - how to get a job in the game industry]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/11/sxsw-the-inside-scoop-how-to-get-a-job-in-the-game-industry/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/11/sxsw-the-inside-scoop-how-to-get-a-job-in-the-game-industry/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/11/sxsw-the-inside-scoop-how-to-get-a-job-in-the-game-industry/#commentsFiled under: ,

SXSW - Get a Job
For the most part, the "Inside Scoop" about getting a job in the gaming industry sounded like getting a job in pretty much any industry, except maybe trading decommissioned nuclear weapons on the black market. They hit the main points several times, which were as follows:
  • Have a professional looking resume.
  • Wear clean, washed (!) clothes to any meeting or interview.
  • Be on time.
  • Network. Network. Network.
Like any industry you hope to break into, it's often not what you know, but who you know. Although panelist Bryan Stratton did add that he had a friend who he helped get a job in the field, and he ended up making a lot less money than he should have because of his lack of a higher education. So put down the controllers from time to time and read a book, ftw ... er, paycheck.

Of particular note, one panelist mentioned that the two most important applications you can learn to help get a job in the industry are ... Microsoft Excel and email. Most of the time you are going to be coordinating assets and communicating with other people, so it's highly important that you know your way around a spreadsheet, and can organize your inbox and send/receive files and then know where they are.

So if you can pwn in Excel as well as you do in Gears of War, then you're well on your way.

JoystiqSXSW: The Inside Scoop - how to get a job in the game industry originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Mar 2007 22:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>careerexcelgame industryGameIndustrygears of warhirehiringjobjobspwnSXSWSXSW07workworkingwritingSun, 11 Mar 2007 22:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Blocking business targets gaming at the workplace]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/27/blocking-business-targets-gaming-at-the-workplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/27/blocking-business-targets-gaming-at-the-workplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/27/blocking-business-targets-gaming-at-the-workplace/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

rejectedSophos PLC is in the business of security. For years the company has designed software to protect business networks from viruses and spyware. But a recent survey determined a need to extend security concerns to another productivity inhibitor: games. And so, a January upgrade to Sophos's application will quietly erect a wall, blocking mischievous employees from their secret workplace obsessions, like The Sims 2, Need For Speed Carbon, and Guild Wars: Nightfall.

Of course, blocking games does more than just thwart slackerdom, it protects networks against malware (often hidden in game installations); programs that could potentially compromise a business's security. We're all for playing it safe too -- just keep an ear out for big boss as you sneak some Portable Ops in under the desk.

[Via VH1 Game Break]

JoystiqBlocking business targets gaming at the workplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Dec 2006 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CasualCasual GamesCasualGamesMacMalwareNetworkPCSpywareWorkWorkplaceWed, 27 Dec 2006 21:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Poll: Where do you read Joystiq?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/02/joystiq-poll-where-do-you-read-joystiq/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/02/joystiq-poll-where-do-you-read-joystiq/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/02/joystiq-poll-where-do-you-read-joystiq/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We want to know where the magic happens. Where are you sitting when you hit the Joystiq bookmark and start reading? Do you have to keep it a secret, or do you brazenly do it out in public? Do you print it out and take it where your computer can't go? Is it your homepage? Inquiring minds and egos want to know where it all goes down.

Once all these consoles with built-in web browsers hit us, maybe we'll all be surfing Joystiq on our PlayStation 3s and Nintendo Wiis, but until then, let us know how you do it.



Where do you read Joystiq?
At work, hidden behind an Excel spreadsheet, 'stiqin it to the man.
On my home computer, hidden behind pr0n. If you're really brazen, side by side with it.
Mobile phone web browsing goodness for me, just like Paris and Lindsay.
At school when I should be studying. Unless this is research, then carry on.
Using my laptop on a WiFi network, where I can feel free to "offload" some waste material while I'm online.
Waitaminute ... read Joystiq? I only look at the pictures and spark flamewars! :)
[Thanks, crono141]

JoystiqJoystiq Poll: Where do you read Joystiq? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Nov 2006 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conspiracyhiddenhidinghomeJoystiqpollreadschoolsecretsubterfugewifiworkThu, 02 Nov 2006 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The daily grind: when playing turns into work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/07/the-daily-grind-when-playing-turns-into-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/07/the-daily-grind-when-playing-turns-into-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/07/the-daily-grind-when-playing-turns-into-work/#commentsFiled under: ,

There's an interesting back-and-forth discussion over at Terra Nova on the subject of gameplay and labour; as the boundaries between work and play become blurred, what are the issues and where will the trend lead?

Unless you're a pro gamer or gold farmer, playing games is unlikely to net you any real-world salary, and yet many of us log into MMOs to continue our "daily grind". A serious commitment to World of Warcraft, for example, can leave one with a raid schedule more gruelling than a day job. The boundary blurs elsewhere, too, when you carry out a complicated task in-game that you couldn't do in real life.

The difference is that by playing a game, you have control over what you do, rather than relinquishing the reins to an employer. Perhaps this will lead to higher self-employment and entrepreneurship amongst gamers--certainly worlds like Second Life let you work in-game for real cash. A warning, though--once the game becomes a job, the roles may reverse, leaving real life as the fun distraction.

JoystiqThe daily grind: when playing turns into work originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Mar 2006 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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