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[Halo 4's 'Infinity' multiplayer to introduce Spartan Ops, War Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/halo-4s-infinity-multiplayer-to-introduce-spartan-ops-war-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/halo-4s-infinity-multiplayer-to-introduce-spartan-ops-war-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/halo-4s-infinity-multiplayer-to-introduce-spartan-ops-war-ga/#comments ImageAs the November 6 launch of Halo 4 approaches, Microsoft is doling out more information about its multiplayer modes, collectively known as "Infinity Multiplayer" (surprise!). The game will introduce a brand new mode called Spartan Ops, which tells the story of the UNSC Infinity, the massive ship that serves as Halo 4's multiplayer hub (pictured). Spartan Ops will serve as an episodic continuation of Halo 4's campaign, with weekly cinematic episodes that "center on the UNSC Infinity leaders and crew, and a new team of Spartans - Majestic Squad." Each episode will include new missions, allowing one to four players to "explore the corners of Requiem in these objective-based missions, and help uncover the secrets of the mysterious Forerunner world."

Halo 4's competitive multiplayer will be known as War Games and, as previously detailed, will offer plenty of character progression and customization, such as armor specializations that enable "combat enhancements" tailored to specific play styles.

Both War Games and Spartan Ops are included with the standard edition of Halo 4, though those willing to pony up the dough for the $99 special edition will also receive 9 maps (to be doled out across three map packs after launch) and early access to six armor specializations.

Continue reading Halo 4's 'Infinity' multiplayer to introduce Spartan Ops, War Games

JoystiqHalo 4's 'Infinity' multiplayer to introduce Spartan Ops, War Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industrieshalo-4microsoftmicrosoft-studiosxboxxbox-liveWed, 16 May 2012 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Joy Ride Turbo skids onto Xbox Live Arcade May 23]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/joy-ride-turbo-skids-onto-xbox-live-arcade-may-23/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/joy-ride-turbo-skids-onto-xbox-live-arcade-may-23/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/joy-ride-turbo-skids-onto-xbox-live-arcade-may-23/#comments Joy Ride Turbo, the Kinect-free sequel to Kinect Joy Ride, will be released on Xbox Live Arcade on May 23, according to a new release schedule from Major Nelson. As previously revealed, Joy Ride Turbo features several different modes, including a new Stunt Park, and generally sounds a lot more like the Joy Ride Microsoft originally announced way back in 2009.

If your Kinect is feeling lonely as a result, this week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week revolves entirely around downloadable Kinect titles. You can grab Fruit Ninja Kinect for $7, while Hole in the Wall, Leedmees, Double Fine Happy Action Theater, Rhythm Party and Haunt have been knocked down to $5 each.

If your 360 controller is now feeling double-reverse lonely, next week will see discounts to some old-fashioned regular XBLA games. Specifically, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes will be reduced to $7.50, while Outland and Beyond Good & Evil HD will be available for $5 each.

JoystiqJoy Ride Turbo skids onto Xbox Live Arcade May 23 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BigParkjoy-ride-turbokinectmicrosoftrelease-datexblaxboxxbox-liveTue, 15 May 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon: Future Soldier's 'Arctic Strike' DLC due in July]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/ghost-recon-future-soldiers-arctic-strike-dlc-due-in-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/ghost-recon-future-soldiers-arctic-strike-dlc-due-in-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/ghost-recon-future-soldiers-arctic-strike-dlc-due-in-july/#comments ImageGhost Recon: Future Soldier's future soldiers had better bundle up, as Ubisoft's just-announced "Arctic Strike" DLC sounds like it'll require more than just a camouflaged windbreaker when it arrives on July 3. The DLC runs 800 MS Points or $10 on 360 and PS3 (respectively), and the PC version ... well, it seems not to exist. We've asked Ubi what's up with that.

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arctic-strikedlcdownloadable-contentGhost-Recon-Future-Soldiermicrosoftplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnubisoftxboxxbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceFri, 11 May 2012 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[How to buy Minecraft on Xbox 360 for $5 less than on your Xbox 360 [update: no more!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/how-to-buy-minecraft-on-xbox-360-for-5-less-than-on-your-xbox-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/how-to-buy-minecraft-on-xbox-360-for-5-less-than-on-your-xbox-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/how-to-buy-minecraft-on-xbox-360-for-5-less-than-on-your-xbox-3/#comments ImageUpdate: Best Buy's price for Minecraft is back at $20, unfortunately. Congrats to those of you who managed to snap up the lower price!

With the launch of Minecraft today on Xbox Live Arcade for the lofty price of 1600 MS Points ($20), we searched long and hard to discover a way to buy the game for a full 25 percent off. There was lava and exploding Creepers and this skeleton that kept shooting arrows - pretty harrowing stuff. Anyway, we sussed out this precise formula for snagging the game on the cheap. Follow along below ... if you dare.
  • Step 1: Go to Best Buy's website.
  • Step 2: Purchase Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition for $15 instead of the $20 it costs on Xbox Live Marketplace.
  • Step 3: Laugh and throw money in the air, you baller.

[Thanks KP!]

JoystiqHow to buy Minecraft on Xbox 360 for $5 less than on your Xbox 360 [update: no more!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4j4j-studiosbest-buymicrosoftMinecraftmojangmojang-specificationsxblaxblmxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadexbox-live-marketplaceWed, 09 May 2012 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Prototype 2 mutates with fresh DLC, iOS and Android companion apps]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/prototype-2-mutates-with-fresh-dlc-ios-and-android-companion-ap/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/prototype-2-mutates-with-fresh-dlc-ios-and-android-companion-ap/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/prototype-2-mutates-with-fresh-dlc-ios-and-android-companion-ap/#comments Causing mass destruction is easily the best part of Prototype 2, and a new batch of DLC should help you do that with a little more panache. The "Colossal Mayhem" pack adds a number of new goodies, including a "Thermobaric Boom-Stick" weapon and a number of new powers and skins for Heller, the game's protagonist. The pack is available now for $5 on PSN and Xbox Live.

The next round of DLC, available May 29, has already been announced as well. The "Excessive Force" pack will include a "Viral Infector" grenade launcher and yet more powers and skins. It will also sell for $5.

In other Prototype 2 news, a companion app has been released for Android and iOS. The app allows users to keep track of achievements and in-game collectible thanks to some handy maps that have all collectibles marked. The app itself is free, though it only includes one map, the Yellow Zone. The remaining two maps can be purchased for $2.

Continue reading Prototype 2 mutates with fresh DLC, iOS and Android companion apps

JoystiqPrototype 2 mutates with fresh DLC, iOS and Android companion apps originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionandroiddlciosiphonemicrosoftmobileplaystationprototype-2ps3psnRadical-Entertainmentxboxxbox-liveWed, 09 May 2012 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD lands on Xbox Live and PSN in June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/tony-hawks-pro-skater-hd-lands-on-xbox-live-and-psn-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/tony-hawks-pro-skater-hd-lands-on-xbox-live-and-psn-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/tony-hawks-pro-skater-hd-lands-on-xbox-live-and-psn-in-june/#comments Robomodo's Unreal Engine-powered remake Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD will drop in on Xbox Live and PSN this June, Tony Hawk himself has revealed. He took to Twitter to announce the launch window, as he is wont to do.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD is a remake featuring select levels from the first two games, which originally debuted on the PSOne. Tony has said that, depending on the HD remake's reception, we could see other past levels added - Hawk even envisions Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD as a platform for completely new content.

JoystiqTony Hawk's Pro Skater HD lands on Xbox Live and PSN in June originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionmicrosoftplaystationps3psnrelease-daterobomodotony-hawktony-hawk-pro-skater-hdtony-hawks-pro-skater-hdxboxxbox-liveTue, 08 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[I suggest a new strategy, R2: Let them have a Kinect Star Wars demo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/i-suggest-a-new-strategy-r2-let-them-have-a-kinect-star-wars-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/i-suggest-a-new-strategy-r2-let-them-have-a-kinect-star-wars-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/i-suggest-a-new-strategy-r2-let-them-have-a-kinect-star-wars-d/#comments We can understand why you may be a bit hesitant to take our verdict on Kinect Star Wars as gospel. It's got Vader fights, rampaging rancors and is the closest physical manifestation of that one kid's dream journal we may ever get.

Now you can discover how not good the game is yourself with a free playable demo - if you're a Gold subscriber and own a Kinect sensor, that is. We may all have The Force inside us, but you still have to purchase your own Kinect sensor.

JoystiqI suggest a new strategy, R2: Let them have a Kinect Star Wars demo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demokinectkinect-star-warslucasartsmicrosoftstar-wars-kinectxblmxboxxbox-liveTue, 08 May 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's E3 presser to stream through Xbox Live, Spike TV]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/microsofts-e3-presser-to-stream-through-xbox-live-spike-tv/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/microsofts-e3-presser-to-stream-through-xbox-live-spike-tv/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/microsofts-e3-presser-to-stream-through-xbox-live-spike-tv/#comments ImageAre you hoping to experience the thrill and excitement of a game manufacturer E3 press conference, but lacking the credentials to attend? Microsoft thinks that's just the dumbest, so the company's blowing the doors off of its upcoming E3 presser - at least virtually - with both Spike TV and Xbox Live streaming the event for all to see. Democracy!

Spike and Xbox Live's coverage begins one day ahead of the big show on Monday, June 4 - Microsoft likes to kick things off before anyone else at E3, you see. Interested parties can tune in at 12:30PM ET/ 9:30AM PT to catch the whole thing live. Keep an eye out for us in the crowd! You can tell us apart from everyone else because we're all 11 feet tall, by the way.

JoystiqMicrosoft's E3 presser to stream through Xbox Live, Spike TV originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2012kinectmicrosoftpress-conferencepresserspike-tvxboxxbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceFri, 04 May 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fable Heroes review: For every choice, no consequence]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/fable-heroes-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/fable-heroes-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/fable-heroes-review/#comments ImageIn Fable Heroes, you and some friends take the role of cutesy Fable-based puppets, battling through a number of cookie-cutter levels on the couch or online. Put frankly, the game is a shameless abuse of the Fable property. The idea of a cartoonish hack-and-slash isn't necessarily a bad idea, if executed properly. Unfortunately, Fable Heroes struggles at its core concept.

Like most hack-and-slash games, the button scheme is fairly simple, featuring a light and heavy attack, along with a roll maneuver. You can open chests for various power-ups (some of dubious helpfulness) and there is a special move that none of my multiplayer party fully grasped. I knew how to do it, but for the life of me couldn't figure out when it was available. This led to rampant guesswork with limited success. The help section of the game didn't offer much assistance either. (Though it does include a 17-page description of all the power-up chests.)

Gallery: Fable Heroes (Marketplace, 3/4/12)

Continue reading Fable Heroes review: For every choice, no consequence

JoystiqFable Heroes review: For every choice, no consequence originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fable-heroesLionhead-Studiosmicrosoftxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeTue, 01 May 2012 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Skyrim Kinect patch out tomorrow; here's a list of voice commands]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/skyrim-kinect-patch-out-tomorrow-heres-a-list-of-voice-command/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/skyrim-kinect-patch-out-tomorrow-heres-a-list-of-voice-command/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/skyrim-kinect-patch-out-tomorrow-heres-a-list-of-voice-command/#comments Tomorrow Bethesda hatches its scheme to coax your inner Dragonborn into speaking - well, Dragonborn with a second-language credit in English, anyway. The free Kinect update adds over 200 different voice recognition commands to English-speaking regions; there are a bunch of new things to memorize, so Bethesda made a handy glossary for you to load up on your iPad or print out. The .pdf files can be accessed by clicking here.

Simply boot up Skyrim and install the mandatory Xbox 360 update tomorrow. After spending some time with it ourselves earlier this month, we liked how it bypassed a lot of menu work. The Bethesda Blog says the German, Italian, Spanish and French versions are all "in final testing" and that we should hear more regarding those territories soon.

JoystiqSkyrim Kinect patch out tomorrow; here's a list of voice commands originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdaBethesda-Softworkselder-scrolls-5kinectkinect-updatemicrosoftrelease-dateskyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimupdatexboxxbox-liveMon, 30 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bloodforge review: God of sore ... thumbs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/bloodforge-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/bloodforge-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/bloodforge-review/#comments Even before diving into Bloodforge's gore-soaked, beast-slaying combat or encountering one of its screen-enveloping enemies, the XBLA brawler announces itself as a God of War wannabe. From its pissed-off protagonist to its female narrator, the hack-and-slasher channels Kratos' exploits before the first entrails stain your sword. There are certainly worse series to crib from, and Bloodforge, while significantly flawed, generally feels more like a fan-made tribute than a cash-grabbing copycat.

The first thing Bloodforge hits you with isn't some ugly monster's sharp steel, but a striking visual presentation. Contrasting a desaturated color palette with buckets of bright blood, Bloodforge looks like it may have jumped off the paneled page of a mature graphic novel. The dark vibe is further complemented by sopping rain storms, snowy landscapes stained with viscera, and marshes blanketed with mist. If all that doesn't set the tone, silhouetted corpses impaled on spikes and hanging from nooses should do the trick.

Gallery: Bloodforge (XBLA)

Continue reading Bloodforge review: God of sore ... thumbs

JoystiqBloodforge review: God of sore ... thumbs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloodforgemicrosoftxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeFri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How the community solved Fez's hardest puzzle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/how-the-community-solved-fezs-hardest-puzzle/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/how-the-community-solved-fezs-hardest-puzzle/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/how-the-community-solved-fezs-hardest-puzzle/#comments Fez players be forewarned, the following contains spoilers. Stay far, far away if you want to uncover all of Fez's secrets for yourself. With that out of the way, dedicated fans know that collecting cubes is only half of Fez. The other half is solving puzzles, some of which hide their solutions in plain sight, while others taunt players with obtuse, seemingly indecipherable clues.

Continue reading How the community solved Fez's hardest puzzle

JoystiqHow the community solved Fez's hardest puzzle originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityFezmicrosoftpolytronpolytron-corporationxboxxbox-liveXbox-Live-ArcadeFri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft hiring Xbox Skype engineer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/microsoft-hiring-xbox-skype-engineer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/microsoft-hiring-xbox-skype-engineer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/microsoft-hiring-xbox-skype-engineer/#comments It looks like Microsoft may soon make good on bringing its recently acquired Skype services to the Xbox (and presumably Kinect). The company is currently seeking a software development engineer focused on Skype for the Xbox, as spotted by GI.biz. Specifically, the London listing asks for someone with "a strong technical background developing client and/or embedded software," which certainly sounds like Xbox dashboard integration.

Whether Skype functionality will replace the Xbox's current chat and video services or simply improve upon them remains to be seen.

JoystiqMicrosoft hiring Xbox Skype engineer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectmicrosoftskypexboxxbox-liveFri, 20 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Splatters review: Slip, slide, splat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/the-splatters-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/the-splatters-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/the-splatters-review/#comments Physics-based puzzle games can be a little hit-or-miss - sometimes literally. While the element of unpredictability can be addictive in games about knocking down structures with furious birds, it can also lead the way to frustrating trial and error when the physics refuse to cooperate. The Splatters on Xbox Live Arcade hits more than it misses, but it has a few issues that keep it from splashing onto the walls of the physics puzzle hall of fame.

Gallery: The Splatters (XBLA)

Continue reading The Splatters review: Slip, slide, splat

JoystiqThe Splatters review: Slip, slide, splat originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft-studiosspikysnail-gamesthe-splattersxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 18 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trials Evolution launch trailer is flippin' explosive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/trials-evolution-launch-trailer-is-flippin-explosive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/trials-evolution-launch-trailer-is-flippin-explosive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/trials-evolution-launch-trailer-is-flippin-explosive/#comments
You can do an awful lot in Trials Evolution, but the one thing you can't do is speed up time to make today tomorrow, when the game will actually be available. In the meantime, enjoy this launch trailer. Be warned: the trailer may make time feel like it's going slower.

JoystiqTrials Evolution launch trailer is flippin' explosive originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftredlynxtrials-evolutionubisoftxblaxboxxbox-liveTue, 17 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live entertainment apps unlocked this weekend, but online gaming remains Gold-only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/xbox-live-entertainment-apps-unlocked-this-weekend-but-online-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/xbox-live-entertainment-apps-unlocked-this-weekend-but-online-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/xbox-live-entertainment-apps-unlocked-this-weekend-but-online-g/#comments ImageHere's a clear indication of Microsoft's marketing angle for the Xbox 360 in 2012. This weekend, from April 19 to April 23, is a free preview of Xbox Live Gold, meaning even non-paying users will be able to take part in subscription-only functionality at that time.

But not all subscription-only functionality. Microsoft is touting it as a chance to "enjoy all of the customized entertainment app experiences featured on the Xbox LIVE service." It's all about the TV services, and unlike most XBL free weekends, "Multi-player gaming will not be unlocked in this promotion."

In addition to free access to apps like Crackle, Syfy, and Vudu, you can get a free trial of Hulu Plus, Netflix, or EPIX during this period (really, you can get a free trial of Hulu Plus or Netflix any time!). The full list of apps is posted on the promotion's site.

JoystiqXbox Live entertainment apps unlocked this weekend, but online gaming remains Gold-only originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>entertainment-unlockedhulu-plusmicrosoftnetflixstreaming-videotvxboxxbox-liveTue, 17 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Coming to Xbox Live: Deep Black, LEGO deals, more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/coming-to-xbox-live-deep-black-lego-deals-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/coming-to-xbox-live-deep-black-lego-deals-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/coming-to-xbox-live-deep-black-lego-deals-more/#comments Major Nelson has posted the upcoming schedule for Xbox Live. This Wednesday brings the return of vehicular madness with Trials Evolution, while next week brings Bloodforge and Deep Black: Episode 1, an underwater action game we haven't heard about since 2010.

On the Deal of the Week front, this week is LEGO themed, with 25 percent off the Games on Demand versions of LEGO Batman, LEGO Indiana Jones and LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga. In the US, that puts LEGO Batman and LEGO Indiana Jones at $15, and LEGO Star Wars at $22.50. Next week, XBLA's NBA Jam: On Fire Edition will be reduced from $15 to $10.

JoystiqComing to Xbox Live: Deep Black, LEGO deals, more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloodforgedeep-blackdeep-black-episode-1legolego-batmanLego-Indiana-Joneslego-star-wars-the-complete-sagamicrosofttrials-evolutionxboxxbox-liveTue, 17 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Microsoft 'to further monetize' Xbox Live this holiday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/rumor-microsoft-to-further-monetize-xbox-live-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/rumor-microsoft-to-further-monetize-xbox-live-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/rumor-microsoft-to-further-monetize-xbox-live-this-holiday/#comments ImageMicrosoft will implement another way to take your money through Xbox Live this holiday season, according to a description on group product planner Praveen Rutnam's LinkedIn profile. It reads: "Developed strategy to further monetize Xbox LIVE subscriber base that will be implemented for holiday 2012."

Without jumping to any rash, outlandish conclusions based on this vague statement, we can't help but consider what this change could be. One innocent possibility is a phasing-out of Microsoft Points, an event that was rumored in January and refuted in translation by Microsoft Switzerland. A more sinister possibility involves a console-based "online pass" and sacrificial spellwork.

JoystiqRumor: Microsoft 'to further monetize' Xbox Live this holiday originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmonetizationxboxXbox-LiveSat, 14 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez review: Hats off]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/fez-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/fez-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/fez-review/#comments
Image
Whenever a game is hyped to stratospheric proportions, many times over a course of years, it enters a volatile realm of public reception.

When a game has won numerous awards before its launch, is one half of an industry documentary, and is developed by an outspoken, opinionated man, it resides in a universe of its own and players are relegated to describe it in one of two ways: with blazing praise or incendiary criticism.

Fez is on fire, and it burns with a brilliant, red-hot, yellow-tasseled flame.

Continue reading Fez review: Hats off

JoystiqFez review: Hats off originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FezHatmicrosoftphil-fishpolytronRenaud-Bedardtrixelsxblaxboxxbox-liveThu, 12 Apr 2012 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Amy patch addresses criticism and player feedback]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/amy-patch-addresses-criticism-and-player-feedback/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/amy-patch-addresses-criticism-and-player-feedback/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/amy-patch-addresses-criticism-and-player-feedback/#comments We had more than a few problems with Amy, and apparently we weren't alone. Amy developer VectorCell has released a patch on XBLA and PSN that addresses some of the (many) issues present in the game. The patch revises the game's save system (our biggest gripe), now saving at every checkpoint instead of forcing players to restart an entire level if they choose to quit.

A few illogical bits have been rectified as well. Notably, dying after a checkpoint no longer removes the health-restoring syringes and powers that have been acquired up to that point. Furthermore, "most sequences can now be skipped," which is great news given Amy's generally ponderous presentation. If you happen to have Amy, it should now be more playable at the very least, though no amount of patching will repair its nonsensical story.

[Thanks, Christian!]

JoystiqAmy patch addresses criticism and player feedback originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amyLexis-Numeriquemicrosoftplaystationps3psnvectorcellxblaxboxxbox-liveWed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Your Shepard rides again, Mass Effect 3 patched]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/psa-your-shepard-rides-again-mass-effect-3-patched/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/psa-your-shepard-rides-again-mass-effect-3-patched/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/psa-your-shepard-rides-again-mass-effect-3-patched/#comments ImageAs promised, Mass Effect 3's face import bug has finally been patched. Among other things, the patch fixes a bug that prevented some Shepards from importing properly, specifically those that were previously imported from Mass Effect into Mass Effect 2. While Shepard's choices across the first two games would carry over, face data was lost. No more!

Of course, not everyone made good choices when creating their Shepards, but that's another discussion entirely. Decide for yourself in the gallery below.

Gallery: The Gallery of Questionable Shepards

JoystiqPSA: Your Shepard rides again, Mass Effect 3 patched originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareea-biowareelectronic-artsmass-effect-3microsoftpatchpcplaystationps3psnupdatexboxxbox-liveWed, 11 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Double Dragon Neon flickers with signs of life]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/double-dragon-neon-flickers-with-signs-of-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/double-dragon-neon-flickers-with-signs-of-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/double-dragon-neon-flickers-with-signs-of-life/#comments The first time I laid my hands on Double Dragon Neon, I was not impressed. The bright '80s colors weren't doing it for me. The character models for protagonists Jimmy and Billy looked hunched and unnatural. Their attacks were stilted and limited. The enemy designs were silly and altogether over the top.

The second time I played it, however, I slipped on a pair of headphones and something happened. The classic Double Dragon music washed over me, reworked with 80s synth and electric guitar, and I saw something I hadn't noticed before: potential.

Gallery: Double Dragon: Neon

Continue reading Double Dragon Neon flickers with signs of life

JoystiqDouble Dragon Neon flickers with signs of life originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-dragon-neonmajescomicrosoftpax-east-2012playstationps3psnwayforwardxblaxboxxbox-liveWed, 11 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New York State removes sex offenders from Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/new-york-state-removes-sex-offenders-from-xbox-live-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/new-york-state-removes-sex-offenders-from-xbox-live-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/new-york-state-removes-sex-offenders-from-xbox-live-more/#comments New York will be removing the state's registered sex offenders from several online gaming services, NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has announced. As part of "Operation: Game Over," over 3,500 of accounts have been removed from various gaming services run by "Microsoft, Apple, Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Disney, Warner Bros. and Sony."

The purge was done with the consent of each company. Xbox Live is the only service explicitly mentioned in the press release, though each company certainly has recognized services, including PlayStation Network, Origin, Game Center, Battle.net, etc.

The press release notes that New York law requires sex offenders to provide the state with email addresses and screen names, which can then "be made available to certain websites so they can purge potential predators from their online networks." This marks the first time the law has been applied to gaming services. Vice president and deputy general counsel Rich Wallis noted that the company is "supportive of Attorney General Schneiderman's efforts to make the Internet, including online gaming environments like Xbox LIVE, safer for everyone."

This isn't the first time that A.G. Schneiderman has delved into the world of video games. He also subpoenaed Sony regarding the PlayStation Network security breach last year.

Continue reading New York State removes sex offenders from Xbox Live

JoystiqNew York State removes sex offenders from Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eric-schneidermangamecenteriosipadiphonelawlegalmacmicrosoftmobilenew-yorkpcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnxboxxbox-liveThu, 05 Apr 2012 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Amalur 'Teeth of Naros' DLC this month packs a new city, other goodies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/amalur-teeth-of-naros-dlc-this-month-packs-a-new-city-other-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/amalur-teeth-of-naros-dlc-this-month-packs-a-new-city-other-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/amalur-teeth-of-naros-dlc-this-month-packs-a-new-city-other-g/#comments New downloadable content for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is slated to arrive later this month. Entitled "Teeth of Naros," it has players exploring the land known as the Teeth of Naros, where they will "encounter the Kollossae, a devout race of giants, and uncover the mysteries of their faith."

The DLC will feature the magical, floating city of Idylla, 20 side quests, dungeons and new enemies to fight. And, of course, there will be some fresh loot, including Twists of Fate, armor sets and weapons. Teeth of Naros will hit Xbox Live, PSN, Origin and Steam on April 17 for $10.

Continue reading Amalur 'Teeth of Naros' DLC this month packs a new city, other goodies

JoystiqAmalur 'Teeth of Naros' DLC this month packs a new city, other goodies originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmicrosoftoriginpcplaystationps3psnxboxxbox-liveWed, 04 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Diabolical Pitch, less diabolical SNK savings on Xbox Live this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/diabolical-pitch-less-diabolical-snk-savings-on-xbox-live-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/diabolical-pitch-less-diabolical-snk-savings-on-xbox-live-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/diabolical-pitch-less-diabolical-snk-savings-on-xbox-live-this/#comments This week on Xbox Live is the premiere of Diabolical Pitch for Kinect, and, for when your arm inevitably gets tired, savings on SNK games that use the normal controller. From today through the 9th, King of Fighters '98, 2002, and Sky Stage, Metal Slugs 3 and XX, and Trouble Witches are all 50% off. Rockstar is holding a "Max Payne sale" as well, with 33% savings.

Next week will see the arrival of Fez and a Call of Duty DLC sale. We wonder how the network will handle the combination of those two events.

JoystiqDiabolical Pitch, less diabolical SNK savings on Xbox Live this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codename-ddiabolical-pitchmicrosoftsnkxblaxblmxboxxbox-liveTue, 03 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 used more for video and music apps than for gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/xbox-360-used-more-for-video-and-music-apps-than-for-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/xbox-360-used-more-for-video-and-music-apps-than-for-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/xbox-360-used-more-for-video-and-music-apps-than-for-gaming/#comments More than half of the time people spend on Xbox Live is devoted to watching videos and listening to music, Microsoft's Yusuf Mehdi told the Los Angeles Times. "What we're seeing is that people are turning on the Xbox to play games and then keeping it on afterwards to get other types of entertainment," Mehdi said.

The Xbox 360 isn't a gaming console; it's now officially an entertainment center that includes games, and it's becoming more popular with this angle. Today households spend an average of 84 hours a month playing games and using other apps on Xbox Live, up 30 percent from a year prior. To compare, the average household watches 150 hours of TV each month.

Even before Kinect, a tool that has always made more sense as an entertainment control rather than a gaming one, Microsoft has wanted the Xbox 360 to be "the heart of connected digital entertainment," as HBO senior vice president of consumer technology Otto Berkes put it.

Today Microsoft added MLB.TV, HBO GO and Comcast Xfinity TV apps to its lineup, which already includes Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, Zune, Last.fm and others.

JoystiqXbox 360 used more for video and music apps than for gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appshbo-gohulukinectmicrosoftmusicNetflixtvvideosxboxXbox-LivezuneTue, 27 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Gears of War 3 'Forces of Nature' maps out today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/psa-gears-of-war-3-forces-of-nature-maps-out-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/psa-gears-of-war-3-forces-of-nature-maps-out-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/psa-gears-of-war-3-forces-of-nature-maps-out-today/#comments
A quick note for all the Gears of War 3 players out there: The "Forces of Nature" map pack is now available on Xbox Live. The pack contains the three new maps Aftermath, Artillery and Cover, as well as the return of Raven Down and Jacinto. It also tosses in several new multiplayer characters.

Forces of Nature is free to season pass holders. For everyone else, it's 800 MS Points ($10). See a ludicrous number of map videos after the break.

Gallery: Gears of War 3 - Force of Nature DLC

Continue reading PSA: Gears of War 3 'Forces of Nature' maps out today

JoystiqPSA: Gears of War 3 'Forces of Nature' maps out today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesGears-of-War-3microsoftxboxxbox-liveTue, 27 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zynga CEO: company building cross-platform cloud compatibility]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/zynga-ceo-company-building-cross-platform-cloud-compatibility/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/zynga-ceo-company-building-cross-platform-cloud-compatibility/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/zynga-ceo-company-building-cross-platform-cloud-compatibility/#comments We've already heard from Zynga how the company plans expand its scope a little bit from its very popular Facebook-only titles. Zynga founder Mark Pincus says in an interview with Om Malik that its policy extends to current tech being built to share saves across the cloud. "In other words, you can play a game on a computer and call it up on Xbox," Pincus says as an example, "and you resume from the point you left off, except the game play will now be customized for the Xbox controller." Game information will be shared, but the experience will be different.

That's already the case for Zynga's games on iOS -- they have a very different feel when played on mobile devices, and have even found different audiences. "Words for Friends doesn't do as well on Facebook as it does on the iPhone," for instance, "because they are a mobile first experience. Our poker game does well on the mobile as well."

This doesn't mean that Pincus is saying Zynga's working on Xbox ports of its titles. Instead, the company is building out the tech right now to extend these games out in various forms to even more platforms in the future.

JoystiqZynga CEO: company building cross-platform cloud compatibility originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compatibilitycontrollercross-platformfarmvillegameplayinterviewmark-pincusmicrosoftom-malikpcxboxxbox-liveFri, 23 Mar 2012 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Taste Sine Mora's fireworks of destruction in the launch trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/taste-sine-moras-fireworks-of-destruction-in-the-launch-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/taste-sine-moras-fireworks-of-destruction-in-the-launch-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/taste-sine-moras-fireworks-of-destruction-in-the-launch-trailer/#comments
Take a look at all the pretty things in Sine Mora ... and then see them get shot at until they explode in this launch trailer! Huzzah!

JoystiqTaste Sine Mora's fireworks of destruction in the launch trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-realitygameplaygrasshopper-manufacturelaunch-trailermicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosSine-Moraxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 21 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: BBC iPlayer now available on 360 in the UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/psa-bbc-iplayer-now-available-on-360-in-the-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/psa-bbc-iplayer-now-available-on-360-in-the-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/psa-bbc-iplayer-now-available-on-360-in-the-uk/#comments
BBC's iPlayer may already live on your PlayStation 3, Wii, tablet, television cable box, and ... uh ... probably a few other devices you own, but now it's also on the Xbox 360. Moreover, the application is free for all Xbox 360 owners, whether you're a Silver or Gold Xbox Live user, giving access to a variety of BBC's content - well, if you live in the UK, that is.

Not content with merely knowing it exists? We've got this thrillingly British video above detailing the service and showing it in action. Or, you know, you could just go download the iPlayer and see for yourself. Or whatever.

JoystiqPSA: BBC iPlayer now available on 360 in the UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbbc-iplayeriplayermicrosoftpsaukxboxxbox-liveTue, 20 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom on the hunt for Street Fighter X Tekken hackers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/capcom-on-the-hunt-for-street-fighter-x-tekken-hackers/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/capcom-on-the-hunt-for-street-fighter-x-tekken-hackers/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/capcom-on-the-hunt-for-street-fighter-x-tekken-hackers/#comments
The fact that Street Fighter X Tekken's character DLC exists on the disc is a contentious issue in its own right, but now a preemptive compatibility countermeasure is being exploited by nefarious ne'er-do-wells with hacked Xbox 360s.

As seen in the video above, unreleased DLC characters have begun showing up on Xbox Live. While this doesn't cause any technical problems for law-abiding citizens or break the game in any way, Capcom is unpleased: "Quite ballsy for folks to be taking hacked Xbox 360s on Live where they are detectable," said Capcom senior vice-president Christian Svensson. "In any event, we already have openned channels of communication with MS on these issues Friday night."

Initially, Svensson asked members of the Capcom Unity forums to take screenshots and record videos of offenders, but that thread has since been closed. "We'll catch them ourselves," Svensson added, presumably just before donning a cloak and cowl and jumping out the nearest open window.

JoystiqCapcom on the hunt for Street Fighter X Tekken hackers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomchristian-svenssonDLChackershackingmicrosoftSFxTstreet-fighter-x-tekkenxboxxbox-liveMon, 19 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Walking Dead to hit a horde of platforms, starting in April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/the-walking-dead-to-hit-a-horde-of-platforms-starting-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/the-walking-dead-to-hit-a-horde-of-platforms-starting-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/the-walking-dead-to-hit-a-horde-of-platforms-starting-in-april/#comments Telltale's The Walking Dead is coming to XBLA, PSN, PC, Mac and iOS, with the first episode dropping in April, IGN reports. The Walking Dead will consist of five episodes in total, each following "regularly" after the first launch -- at least, about as regularly as a group of shambling* zombies can be expected to move.

*One editor specifically commanded us to not use the word "shambling" in the headline of this story. However, he neglected to say anything about the body copy. Enjoy.

JoystiqThe Walking Dead to hit a horde of platforms, starting in April originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apriliosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3PSNrelease-windowshamblingTellTale-Gamesthe-walking-deadxboxXbox-LiveThu, 15 Mar 2012 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch Tony Hawk play Tony Hawk in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/watch-tony-hawk-play-tony-hawk-in-tony-hawks-pro-skater-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/watch-tony-hawk-play-tony-hawk-in-tony-hawks-pro-skater-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/08/watch-tony-hawk-play-tony-hawk-in-tony-hawks-pro-skater-hd/#comments
In this video, skaters Chris Cole and Tony Hawk pull off some sweet tricks in real life and play some Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD. Not at the same time.

JoystiqWatch Tony Hawk play Tony Hawk in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionmicrosoftplaystationps3psnTHAWtony-hawkTony-Hawks-American-Wastelandxblaxboxxbox-liveThu, 08 Mar 2012 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[I Am Alive review: Do not resuscitate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/i-am-alive-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/i-am-alive-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/i-am-alive-review/#comments Somewhere along the way, development of I Am Alive took a sharp turn. It shifted from a full retail release to a condensed downloadable title. Development was ripped out of the hands of one (now defunct) developer and given to another. The character and his backstory were changed. Even the setting was altered. It almost seemed that, like I Am Alive's protagonist, Ubisoft was attempting to pull itself out of a terrible disaster. Core ideas that exist in I Am Alive show an exceptional amount of promise, but the title shows its hand far too quickly, running out of captivating tricks within the first few hours.

Gallery: I Am Alive (1/23/12)

Continue reading I Am Alive review: Do not resuscitate

JoystiqI Am Alive review: Do not resuscitate originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>i-am-alivemicrosoftplaystationps3psnubisoftUbisoft-Shanghaixboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 07 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[VEVO app now available on Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/vevo-app-now-available-on-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/vevo-app-now-available-on-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/vevo-app-now-available-on-xbox-360/#comments
Music video junkies will have one more place to search for and watch content starting today. VEVO, a music video site, has debuted its Xbox 360 app today. It's available in the US, Canada, Ireland and UK now.

The app has some neat functionality, allowing users to link their VEVO and Xbox 360 profiles to "stream and curate video playlists, share videos through Facebook and discover new artists." Also, the Xbox 360 VEVO app lets you watch Justin Bieber music videos on your Xbox 360 which, let's face it, is the real important piece of news here.

JoystiqVEVO app now available on Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectmicrosoftvevovevo-appxboxxbox-360-appxbox-liveWed, 07 Mar 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Street Fighter X Tekken can't take local teams online on Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/street-fighter-x-tekken-cant-take-local-teams-online-on-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/street-fighter-x-tekken-cant-take-local-teams-online-on-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/street-fighter-x-tekken-cant-take-local-teams-online-on-xbox-360/#comments There's a major difference between the Xbox 360 version of Street Fighter X Tekken and its PS3 twin, it turns out. According to the manual included with both versions, the game's tag team modes allow you and a local friend to sign on to the same console and fight against two other people online; your buddy presses start at the character select screen and off you go. In actuality, this functionality only exists in the PS3 version of the game.

The issue has been acknowledged by Christian Svensson at Capcom, who stated that Capcom has no plans to patch the feature in, and that its inclusion in the manual was a mistake. "The reason for this difference is because of the architecture differences between [Xbox Live] gamertags and PSN IDs. I'm not sure of the technical details, but basically it amounts to: Sony made it so you can mix and match online and offline, and Microsoft made it so you can't."

That sounded like a reasonable explanation, until we remembered that the 360 version of Mortal Kombat does that exact thing, allowing two local players to take part in tag-team battles online. If it's possible for NetherRealm Studios to include the feature in Mortal Kombat -- the MK studio's first release under the NetherRealm banner -- its exclusion from Capcom's brand-new flagship fighter seems strange at the very least.

JoystiqStreet Fighter X Tekken can't take local teams online on Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Capcomco-opmicrosoftMortal-KombatMortal-Kombat-2011onlineplaystationps3PSNSFxTstreet-fighter-x-tekkenxboxXbox-LiveTue, 06 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Coming soon to Xbox Live: Defenders of Ardania, DOA5 demo, more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/coming-soon-to-xbox-live-defenders-of-ardania-doa5-demo-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/coming-soon-to-xbox-live-defenders-of-ardania-doa5-demo-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/coming-soon-to-xbox-live-defenders-of-ardania-doa5-demo-more/#comments Major Nelson has posted the schedule for upcoming Xbox Live content, replete with plenty of new releases and deals. We knew most of the XBLA release dates already, including March 7 for I Am Alive and March 14 for Shoot Many Robots. What we didn't know was the March 14 release of Defenders of Ardania, a fantasy tower defense game we first heard about over a year ago.

Beyond XBLA, this week's Deal of the Week sees Borderlands DLC heavily discounted, in most cases by 50 percent. Next week's deal will slash prices on several dungeon crawlers, including Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale, The Baconing, Torchlight, and Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team, all of which will be 50 percent off.

Finally, a Dead or Alive 5 demo is slated for March 19, presumably the one of the same demos included with Ninja Gaiden 3 (which is totally coming out this month, lest you forgot). Head over to Major Nelson for the full content schedule.

JoystiqComing soon to Xbox Live: Defenders of Ardania, DOA5 demo, more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defenders-of-ardaniamicrosoftrelease-datexblmxboxxbox-liveTue, 06 Mar 2012 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA gets The Splatters on April 11]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/xbla-gets-the-splatters-on-april-11/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/xbla-gets-the-splatters-on-april-11/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/xbla-gets-the-splatters-on-april-11/#comments
Xbox Live members can all get The Splatters starting April 11. No, we're not talking about intestinal discomfort, but rather The Splatters, a physics puzzler starring a troupe of amorphous blobs. The April 11 launch date was recently added to Xbox Live Marketplace and subsequently confirmed by developer SpikySnail, reports XBLAFans.

Lest you've forgotten, The Splatters has players launching happy balls of goop through obstacle filled stages, setting off bombs and generally creating havoc. For a better refresher, you can check out a new trailer above.

JoystiqXBLA gets The Splatters on April 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftrelease-datespikysnailspikysnail-gamesthe-splattersxblaxboxxbox-liveMon, 05 Mar 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A tour of Windows 8's Xbox 360 integration, as hosted by Engadget]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/a-tour-of-windows-8s-xbox-360-integration-as-hosted-by-engadge/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/a-tour-of-windows-8s-xbox-360-integration-as-hosted-by-engadge/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/a-tour-of-windows-8s-xbox-360-integration-as-hosted-by-engadge/#comments
How will your Xbox Live account integrate into Microsoft's upcoming operating system update? Engadget EIC Tim Stevens is here to show you, touring the Windows 8 consumer preview build ahead of today's big launch. The long and the short of it? It's basically Xbox Live as you already know it. The thrill!

JoystiqA tour of Windows 8's Xbox 360 integration, as hosted by Engadget originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>engadgetmicrosoftpcwindows-8xbox-liveWed, 29 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[HBO Go app coming to Xbox Live April 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hbo-go-app-coming-to-xbox-live-april-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hbo-go-app-coming-to-xbox-live-april-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hbo-go-app-coming-to-xbox-live-april-1/#comments If you happen to have cable, HBO and an Xbox Live subscription, your Xbox 360 will get somewhat more useful come April 1. HBO co-president Eric Kessler has confirmed that HBO Go, the premium network's streaming service, will arrive on Xbox 360s just in time for April Fools' Day -- okay, and the premiere of Game of Thrones season two -- according to our cohorts at Engadget.

HBO Go goes a step beyond cable on demand services, offering, movies, special features and every episode of nearly every HBO series. Of course, we'll have to see the Xbox Live app in action before we know how many features actually make it to the console. Here's hoping we can finally see what Deadwood was all about.

JoystiqHBO Go app coming to Xbox Live April 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hbohbo-gokinectmicrosoftxboxxbox-liveTue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST