Joystiq Xbox http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq Xbox 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 Bureau declassifies DLC plans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/xcom-the-bureau-declassifies-dlc-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/xcom-the-bureau-declassifies-dlc-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/xcom-the-bureau-declassifies-dlc-plans/#commentsImage Publisher 2K Games announced today that The Bureau: XCOM Declassified will have pre-order and post-launch downloadable content, which is about as shocking of a revelation as knowing Marmite will divide humanity into the two groups of the next great war.

"We're excited that our stories will provide a new perspective on the war effort, much like how our critically acclaimed Minvera's Den DLC for BioShock 2 allowed us to present a unique perspective of Rapture," said Morgan Gray, development director at 2K Marin.

The game's pre-order bonus is the "Codebreakers" side mission. In it, Special Agent Carter and his squad must reestablish contact a top-secret government communications facility, eliminate any threats and decrypt the employee's combined lunch order. There are no details about the post-launch DLC, but the first pack "will be available exclusively to Xbox 360 players."

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified will fight the future on August 20 and 23 in North America and internationally, respectively.

JoystiqThe Bureau declassifies DLC plans originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-games2K-Marinmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Take-Two-Interactivethe-bureau-xcom-declassifiedxboxxcomWed, 19 Jun 2013 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Bureau: XCOM Declassified files 'Battle Focus' trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/the-bureau-xcom-declassified-files-battle-focus-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/the-bureau-xcom-declassified-files-battle-focus-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/the-bureau-xcom-declassified-files-battle-focus-trailer/#comments
Unearthed from a crate thought lost to Hangar XCOM, this gameplay trailer shows how 2K Marin meshes real-time shooting with strategy in The Bureau. Time can be slowed down while players get tactical via a radial menu, from which they can command Special Agent Will Carter and his trusty squadmates.

Also, it shows us that if you're going to see off an extraterrestrial invasion, you may as well do it dressed to the nines - Carter is the definition of dapper in that vid. Independence Day could only have been improved if Jeff Goldblum had boarded that spaceship in a tux.

The fashion of alien warfare aside, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified touches down on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC on August 20.

Gallery: The Bureau: XCOM Declassified (6/19/13)

JoystiqThe Bureau: XCOM Declassified files 'Battle Focus' trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k2k-games2k-marinmicrosoftpcplaystationps3the-bureau-xcom-declassifiedxboxxcomWed, 19 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 gets 'Vengeance' DLC map pack July 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/call-of-duty-black-ops-2-gets-vengeance-dlc-map-pack-july-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/call-of-duty-black-ops-2-gets-vengeance-dlc-map-pack-july-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/call-of-duty-black-ops-2-gets-vengeance-dlc-map-pack-july-2/#comments
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is ready to fire off its next DLC salvo on July 2 on Xbox Live, with PS3 and PC versions to follow. The Vengeance map pack includes new multiplayer maps Rush, Detour, Cove and Uplink, which a remake of Summit from the original Black Ops.

Buried, a new Zombies mode variant, is included with Vengeance along with the Ray Gun Mark 2 weapon, available exclusively in Zombies mode. No pricing is announced in the video above, though the two previous DLC offerings - Revolution and Uprising - were both priced at 1,200 MS Points ($15) each.

Continue reading Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 gets 'Vengeance' DLC map pack July 2

JoystiqCall of Duty: Black Ops 2 gets 'Vengeance' DLC map pack July 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-black-ops-2dlcmicrosoftpcplaystationps3treyarchvengeancexboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Destiny's online battlegrounds explained by Bungie]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/destinys-online-battlegrounds-explained-by-bungie/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/destinys-online-battlegrounds-explained-by-bungie/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/destinys-online-battlegrounds-explained-by-bungie/#comments
We spoke with Bungie's Chris Butcher, engineering lead for online shooter Destiny, about the overall concept of the game and its mishmash of genres. Destiny is primarily a shooter, as shown in gameplay footage released at the show, but we also discuss some of its other flavors and social components.

Butcher, being the engineering guy, also gets some time to geek out about the game's lighting and animation.

Gallery: Destiny (E3 2013)

JoystiqDestiny's online battlegrounds explained by Bungie originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzardbungiedestinymicrosoftplaystationps3xboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Earth Defense Force 2025 adds another cheesy chapter to D3's bug book]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/earth-defense-force-2025-adds-another-cheesy-chapter-to-d3s-bug/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/earth-defense-force-2025-adds-another-cheesy-chapter-to-d3s-bug/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/earth-defense-force-2025-adds-another-cheesy-chapter-to-d3s-bug/#commentsEarth Defense Force 2025 adds yet another cheesy chapter to D3's longrunning series With all of the hubbub about next-gen at this year's E3, Earth Defense Force 2025 stood out as the product of an entirely different generation, one where wildly idiosyncratic Japanese-developed games both delighted and confused gamers willing to take a risk on untested and out-there concepts.

Technically, it's a complete mess, though I'm sure any fan of Earth Defense Force can tell you the series has never been known for its impeccable graphics or silky smooth action. Despite its rough edges in comparison to the polished Xbox One and PS4 games on display in the very same convention center, EDF 2025 still carries a unique charm.

Continue reading Earth Defense Force 2025 adds another cheesy chapter to D3's bug book

JoystiqEarth Defense Force 2025 adds another cheesy chapter to D3's bug book originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>D3-PublisherE3-2013earth-defense-force-2025microsoftNamco-Bandaiplaystationps3xboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mad Max not Barlog's rumored project, says Avalanche CEO]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/mad-max-not-barlogs-rumored-project-says-avalanche-ceo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/mad-max-not-barlogs-rumored-project-says-avalanche-ceo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/mad-max-not-barlogs-rumored-project-says-avalanche-ceo/#comments
Avalanche's Mad Max game is not THAT Mad Max game, apparently
Though Mad Max has been a project spanning several years, going through several iterations in that time, Avalanche Studios CEO Christofer Sundberg claims it's not the game that was rumored in 2008.

God of War 2 lead Cory Barlog had reportedly gone to Avalanche Studios in 2010 to work on a Mad Max game, tied to a new movie. "I don't know what [Barlog] worked on before he started working with us," Sundberg told Polygon, "but when we worked together he wasn't on Mad Max."

Sundberg said the team has been in production on this Mad Max game for around 18 months, though it's been at Avalanche in some capacity for years now. "The game has gone through a series of iterations. We've been working for it for a couple years."

Mad Max is due in 2014, for PS4, PS3, Xbox One and Xbox 360. We saw the open-world action game game at E3 and caught up with our old hillbilly pal, Chumbucket.

JoystiqMad Max not Barlog's rumored project, says Avalanche CEO originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avalanche-studioscory-barlogmad-maxmad-max-gamemicrosoftplaystationps3xboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Gears of War: Judgment 'Lost Relics' DLC found today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/psa-gears-of-war-judgment-lost-relics-dlc-found-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/psa-gears-of-war-judgment-lost-relics-dlc-found-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/psa-gears-of-war-judgment-lost-relics-dlc-found-today/#comments
VIP members can access some new maps in Gears of War: Judgment today, available as part of the Lost Relics DLC pack. Headlining the pack is a new mode called Breakthrough, where one side attempts to move a flag from one point to another while the other team tries to stop them.

Lost Relics includes four multiplayer maps in total: Lost City, Museum, Ward (OverRun only) and Checkout, the same fan-favorite map featured in Gears of War 3. Rounding out the DLC pack are some new weapon and armor skins.

Hit the jump for some flythrough videos of each map - if you like your DLC tours a little more static, then feel free to peruse our gallery of screenshots below.

Gallery: Gears of War: Judgment - Lost Relics (6/18/13)

Continue reading PSA: Gears of War: Judgment 'Lost Relics' DLC found today

JoystiqPSA: Gears of War: Judgment 'Lost Relics' DLC found today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentlost-relicsmicrosoftpeople-can-flypsaxboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Navigating the Castle of Illusion with a 3D Mickey Mouse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/navigating-the-castle-of-illusion-with-a-3d-mickey-mouse/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/navigating-the-castle-of-illusion-with-a-3d-mickey-mouse/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/navigating-the-castle-of-illusion-with-a-3d-mickey-mouse/#commentsCastle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse When players look back on the platformers of yore, it's easy to forget one important thing about them: They're tough. Modern platformers allow infinite retries and plentiful checkpoints, but old-school platformers, like Disney's Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, required precise jumps over one-hit enemies and sent you back to the beginning of a level, or even the game itself, when all your lives were lost.

Sega has preserved that difficulty in the remastered version of the game, as seen on the floor of E3 2013 last week. Sega Studios Australia has teamed up with the original game's creator, Emiko Yamamoto (who still works for Disney in Japan), to recreate the game in 3D and add new elements.

Gallery: Castle of Illusion (E3 2013)

Continue reading Navigating the Castle of Illusion with a 3D Mickey Mouse

JoystiqNavigating the Castle of Illusion with a 3D Mickey Mouse originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castle-of-illusion-2013castle-of-illusion-starring-mickey-mousee3-2013microsoftplatformerplaystationps3segaxboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z trailers won't cost you an arm and a leg]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/yaiba-ninja-gaiden-z-trailers-wont-cost-you-an-arm-and-a-leg/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/yaiba-ninja-gaiden-z-trailers-wont-cost-you-an-arm-and-a-leg/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/yaiba-ninja-gaiden-z-trailers-wont-cost-you-an-arm-and-a-leg/#comments
Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z stars Yaiba Kamikaze, a ninja killed by primary series star Ryu Hayabusa during a duel. We're not sure how Yaiba came back from the dead, but at least we can see how he died.

Continue reading Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z trailers won't cost you an arm and a leg

JoystiqYaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z trailers won't cost you an arm and a leg originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comceptKeiji-Inafunemicrosoftplaystationps3spark-unlimitedteam-ninjatecmo-koeixboxyaibaMon, 17 Jun 2013 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch Brian Provinciano's Retro City Rampage talk from GDC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/watch-brian-provincianos-retro-city-rampage-talk-from-gdc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/watch-brian-provincianos-retro-city-rampage-talk-from-gdc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/watch-brian-provincianos-retro-city-rampage-talk-from-gdc/#commentsBrian Provinciano's GDC talk now in The Vault One of our favorite talks from GDC was Brian Provinciano's session, in which the indie developer discussed bringing his game, Retro City Rampage, to just about every platform known to man. It's a valuable talk for many reasons, giving a clear picture of what it's like working with The Big Three[TM] and the types of hurdles a determined indie developer will inevitably hit.

Provinciano's determination to port Grand Theft Auto 3 to NES hardware escalated into a love letter to video games and pop culture. While Provinciano hasn't announced his next project yet, he says we should expect more humorous open-world games.

JoystiqWatch Brian Provinciano's Retro City Rampage talk from GDC originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-provincianogdc-2013microsoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psnretro-city-rampagesteamvblank-entertainmentvitawiiwiiwarexblaxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alan Wake's American Nightmare drops price to $10 on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/alan-wakes-american-nightmare-drops-price-to-10-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/alan-wakes-american-nightmare-drops-price-to-10-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/alan-wakes-american-nightmare-drops-price-to-10-on-xbla/#commentsImage Alan Wake's American Nightmare, the standalone follow-up to the original psychological action thriller, is now 800 Microsoft Points ($10) on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The game was previously 1200 MSP ($15), which continues to be its price on Steam.

Developer Remedy has moved on to Quantum Break, but there is the possibility that Mr. Wake's influence will be felt in the upcoming game.

Gallery: Alan Wake's American Nightmare (2/20/12)

JoystiqAlan Wake's American Nightmare drops price to $10 on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-wakealan-wakes-american-nightmaremicrosoftRemedyremedy-entertainmentxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Panzer Dragoon creator wants to make Crimson Dragon RPG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/panzer-dragoon-creator-wants-to-make-crimson-dragon-rpg/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/panzer-dragoon-creator-wants-to-make-crimson-dragon-rpg/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/panzer-dragoon-creator-wants-to-make-crimson-dragon-rpg/#comments If Crimson Dragon is successful, developer Grounding Inc. hopes it will become a franchise, creator Yukio Futatsugi told Joystiq during E3. When asked if he would ever return to role-playing games, Futatsugi told us he'd like to see Crimson Dragon spun out into a full-fledged RPG.

Futatsugi is best known for creating the Panzer Dragoon series, notably the much loved but hard to find RPG, Panzer Dragoon Saga, so the prospect of a Crimson Dragon RPG should be an exciting one for fans.

Right now the team is focused solely on finishing the current game, he said, but the story and atmosphere of Crimson Dragon have been crafted in such a way that it could easily be turned into an RPG. Grounding already has many team members who worked on the likes of Panzer Dragoon Saga and Panzer Dragoon Orta, including Crimson Dragon's programming lead, design lead, art lead and sound team. When the decision was made to bring Crimson Dragon to Xbox One, the team also acquired the art designer from Futatsugi's original Xbox cult classic, Phantom Dust.

Of course, few people have played Panzer Dragoon Saga, and many may not understand what all the fuss is about. The game was released at the end of the Sega Saturn's lifecycle, and only 30,000 copies were produced for North America. I asked Futatsugi if he'd like to see Panzer Dragoon Saga re-released as a downloadable game, especially given Sega's recent retro push with games like Jet Set Radio and Nights.

He would like to see Saga re-released, he said, and the subject comes up from time to time at the Grounding offices. Usually, these discussions end with the team realizing that the game would be very difficult to remake. Still, Futatsugi said he would love to play it again.

JoystiqPanzer Dragoon creator wants to make Crimson Dragon RPG originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimson-dragone3-2013grounding-inckinectmicrosoftProject-Dracoxboxyukio-futatsugiMon, 17 Jun 2013 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: June 17-23, 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/now-playing-june-17-23-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/now-playing-june-17-23-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/now-playing-june-17-23-2013/#commentsNow Playing June 1723, 2013
Jump into the ultimate retro-style meta RPG experience this week with The Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Edition...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Continue reading Now Playing: June 17-23, 2013

JoystiqNow Playing: June 17-23, 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[State of Decay MMO sequel, Class4, in limbo at Microsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/state-of-decay-mmo-sequel-class4-in-limbo-at-microsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/state-of-decay-mmo-sequel-class4-in-limbo-at-microsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/state-of-decay-mmo-sequel-class4-in-limbo-at-microsoft/#commentsState of Decay MMO followup in limbo at Microsoft State of Decay developer Undead Labs can't begin working on its follow-up game, an MMO called Class4, until it agrees with Microsoft on a series of terms about future technology, support and goals, Undead's community director Sanya Weathers told Eurogamer.

Microsoft owns the IP for Class4, following a deal that funded and developed State of Decay, Weathers said: "We cannot begin working on Class4 without a greenlight from Microsoft ... and a mutually agreeable contract." Undead is still talking with Microsoft about the specifics of Class4.

State of Decay was originally called Class3, and Undead viewed it as the first step toward that larger MMO project, Undead founder Jeff Strain told us in 2011. "The minute-by-minute core of the game will all be there in Class3," Strain said. "The only thing it won't have is the massive player participation the sequel will have."

Today, Weathers explained the negotiations with Microsoft regarding Class4. "We have to agree on where we think the technology is going to be in a few years (since the game will take a few years to develop); we have to agree that we have the same goals; and we have to agree on how we'll collectively run and support the final game," Weathers said.

State of Decay is doing well - since its launch on June 5, it's been crowned the fastest-selling original game on Xbox Live Arcade, ever, with 500,000 sales. We found State of Decay's premise and vibe to be tense (in a mostly good way), but we ran into some technical issues that Undead is currently having problems patching.

JoystiqState of Decay MMO sequel, Class4, in limbo at Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class3Class4microsoftmmopcstate-of-decayxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 hosts a party of one]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/lightning-returns-final-fantasy-13-hosts-a-party-of-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/lightning-returns-final-fantasy-13-hosts-a-party-of-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/lightning-returns-final-fantasy-13-hosts-a-party-of-one/#commentsLightning Returns piqued my morbid curiosity No development process has been as interesting to watch than the multi-game pile-up known as Final Fantasy 13. It's not that these RPGs have been of poor quality, per se; they just represent the totality of Square Enix's resource mismanagement during the first HD generation of consoles. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Lightning Returns wasn't the only Final Fantasy 13-related product on the show floor during E3 2013, as Square unveiled the long-awaited Versus 13 under an entirely new (though slightly predictable) name: Final Fantasy 15.

This rebranding - combined with the Final Fantasy 13 name getting second billing to its lead character - provides some compelling evidence that the developer might be a little ashamed of that "lucky" number these days.

Gallery: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (E3 2013)

Continue reading Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 hosts a party of one

JoystiqLightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 hosts a party of one originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lightning-returns-final-fantasy-xiiimicrosoftplaystationps3Square-EnixxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[State of Decay sells over half a million copies, update being re-patched]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/state-of-decay-sells-over-half-a-million-copies-update-being-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/state-of-decay-sells-over-half-a-million-copies-update-being-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/state-of-decay-sells-over-half-a-million-copies-update-being-re/#commentsState of Decay issue State of Decay has sold over half a million copies since launching on Xbox Live Arcade on June 5. This makes the Undead Labs developed game the fastest selling original title ever on Xbox Live Arcade, according to Microsoft.

But everything isn't headshots and restful nights with State of Decay, as the game's first title update did experience some hiccups. XBLA Fans reports the patch on Friday night didn't do everything as intended. Undead Labs' founder Jeff Strain went to the company forums and said, "Reports started coming in that other bugs we had verified internally as fixed were apparently not fixed on the live version of the game." No word yet when that patch will be patched.

The game is currently in development for a PC release on Steam. Strain says Undead Labs "just need to integrate with the Steam platform and add native support for keyboard and mouse control."

JoystiqState of Decay sells over half a million copies, update being re-patched originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox boss says $500 Xbox One is 'over-delivering on value,' name-drops Halo 5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/xbox-boss-says-500-xbox-one-is-over-delivering-on-value-name/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/xbox-boss-says-500-xbox-one-is-over-delivering-on-value-name/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/xbox-boss-says-500-xbox-one-is-over-delivering-on-value-name/#comments The $500 price tag for the Xbox One elicited audible gasps during Microsoft's E3 press conference. Speaking to Bloomberg, Xbox head Don Mattrick defended the hefty price, saying that Microsoft is "over-delivering on value" with the Xbox One.

"It's a lower number than some of the analysts had forecasted," Mattrick said. "We're over-delivering value against other choices, I think, consumers can get. Any modern product these days, you look at it [and] $499 isn't a ridiculous price point. We're delivering thousands of dollars of value to people, so I think that they're going to love it when they use it."

What will convince consumers to opt for Xbox One, he said, is the breadth of services the console will have available. Specifically, he mentioned Twitch streaming, Skype and SmartGlass.

During the same interview, Mattrick also referred to the next Halo game as Halo 5. At Microsoft's E3 press briefing, a reveal trailer referred to the game simply as "Halo."

JoystiqXbox boss says $500 Xbox One is 'over-delivering on value,' name-drops Halo 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>don-mattricke3-2013halohalo-2014kinectmicrosoftxboxxbox-oneMon, 17 Jun 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: Dead Space team working on something new, series not dead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/ea-dead-space-team-working-on-something-new-series-not-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/ea-dead-space-team-working-on-something-new-series-not-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/ea-dead-space-team-working-on-something-new-series-not-dead/#comments Despite being "an important IP to EA," there is no new Dead Space game in development; instead, Visceral Games is working on something else right now. "Is that team working on a Dead Space game today? No they're not," EA executive vice president Patrick Soderlund told Eurogamer at E3 last week.

"They're working on something else very exciting. You have to think of it from that perspective. Is it better to put them on the fourth version of a game they've done three previous versions of before? Or is it better to put them on something new that they want to build, that they have passion for?" This isn't the end for Dead Space, however, as Söderlund reiterates that it's "a brand that is close to Electronic Arts' heart."

"I am of the utmost opinion that we have to put the best possible games in the hands of our fans," Söderlund added. "How you get to a great game, the first thing you need is a great development team that have a passion for building what they're building. That's a simple parameter. Everything else follows. Money, time, everything else follows. It's less relevant. That's ultimately how you get success. It's as simple as that."

Dead Space 3, which launched earlier this year, failed to meet EA's sales expectations at launch and has had fewer sales than Dead Space 2.

JoystiqEA: Dead Space team working on something new, series not dead originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-space-3e3-2013eaelectronic-artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3visceral-gamesxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Superman defends Tamriel in Skyrim at the Movies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/superman-defends-tamriel-in-skyrim-at-the-movies/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/superman-defends-tamriel-in-skyrim-at-the-movies/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/superman-defends-tamriel-in-skyrim-at-the-movies/#comments
The problem with movies is that none of them take place in Skyrim. This is Skyrim at the Movies, a take on the classic tale of Superman created by animation outfit Tyrannicon with Chris Hardwick playing the Man of Steel himself.

JoystiqSuperman defends Tamriel in Skyrim at the Movies originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-hardwickelder-scrolls-5microsoftpcplaystationps3skyrimskyrim-at-the-moviesthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimthe-nerdistxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Last of Us is the first in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/the-last-of-us-is-the-first-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/the-last-of-us-is-the-first-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/the-last-of-us-is-the-first-in-uk/#comments The Last of Us represented several accomplishments during its first week of sale in the UK, where it took the number one spot on the region's sales chart. According to Chart Track, the game is the first Sony exclusive to take the top spot since Uncharted: Golden Abyss on Vita in early 2012. It's also the third fastest selling game of 2013 behind Bioshock Infinite and the "weak" Tomb Raider, along with being the biggest launch for a new intellectual property since L.A Noire in 2011. Overall, a fine start to developer Naughty Dog's swan song for PlayStation 3.

The cash infusions for the UK retail market didn't end with The Last of Us, as Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Leaf debuted in second and became (wow, y'all love your Tom Nook debt programs) the biggest non-Mario 3DS launch ever. The UK top ten indentured to Tom Nook can be found after the break.

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JoystiqThe Last of Us is the first in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsanimal-crossing-new-leafchart-trackchart-track-weeklymicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3the-last-of-usukxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lewis Black pokes at the Kinect on The Daily Show]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/16/lewis-black-pokes-at-the-kinect-on-the-daily-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/16/lewis-black-pokes-at-the-kinect-on-the-daily-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/16/lewis-black-pokes-at-the-kinect-on-the-daily-show/#comments
Comedian Lewis Black took to his "Back in Black" segment on Comedy Central's The Daily Show to discuss what he sees as growing privacy concerns related to Microsoft's Xbox One. Black specifically pokes fun at the expected improvements to the Kinect's detection capabilities.

Privacy concerns related to the Kinect were addressed by Microsoft earlier this month, which said that users "will determine how responsive and personalized your Xbox One is to you and your family during setup." Black's satirical take on the Kinect, as with his comments related to other products such as Google Glass, still make for an entertaining video to check out, not one to take at face value. Be warned, the video also contains mature language.

JoystiqLewis Black pokes at the Kinect on The Daily Show originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectlewis-blackmicrosoftsatirethe-daily-showxboxxbox-oneSun, 16 Jun 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Banned Xbox One accounts will retain access to purchased games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/16/banned-xbox-one-accounts-will-retain-access-to-purchased-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/16/banned-xbox-one-accounts-will-retain-access-to-purchased-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/16/banned-xbox-one-accounts-will-retain-access-to-purchased-games/#comments

Users banned on Xbox One will not lose access to the games they've purchased, Director of Programming Larry Hyrb (Major Nelson, colloquially) told Reddit Games during an E3 video interview.

This became a popular question following an Xbox Support Twitter answer from June 13 that read, "If your account is banned, you also forfeit the licenses to any games that have licenses tied to it as listed in the ToU." The question specified Xbox One, but later, Xbox Support said this answer was in reference to Xbox 360.

Major Nelson had a clear answer for future banned users on Xbox One: "Absolutely not, you will always have access to the games you purchased."

As for what will happen if, down the road, Xbox One's authentication servers are shut down, Major Nelson couldn't say. "I'll get the real answer, I just don't know it yet," he said.

JoystiqBanned Xbox One accounts will retain access to purchased games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bannedMajor-Nelsonmicrosoftredditxboxxbox-oneSun, 16 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nyko keeps your second screen experience close at hand]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/nyko-keeps-your-second-screen-experience-close-at-hand/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/nyko-keeps-your-second-screen-experience-close-at-hand/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/nyko-keeps-your-second-screen-experience-close-at-hand/#commentsNyko keeps your second screen experience close at hand There are always a lot of buzzwords and phrases at E3. One of the big ones at this year's show was the "second screen experience," using phones and tablets to enhance a game in one way or another. Whether it's through Microsoft's SmartGlass or Sony's PlayStation app, it seems that one screen just isn't enough for next-generation games.

Spotting this trend, Nyko was on the scene at E3 to showcase one of its cleverer peripherals, the Smart Clip. Attached to an Xbox 360, Xbox One or PlayStation 4 controller, the Smart Clip adds a cradle for mobile phones - similar to the Moga Pro controller. We were told it would accommodate anything up to and including a Samsung Galaxy Note 2. It seemed kind of silly in person, but we couldn't deny the convenience of it, especially if second screen gaming becomes ubiquitous in the next few years.

Nyko has created some other accessories for the PS4 and Xbox One as well. Both consoles exclusively use HDMI for audio and video, so Nyko is preparing an HDMI pass-through adapter that will allow users to connect audio receivers and headphones that require traditional red and white RCA inputs. Finally, Nyko is crafting controller charging docks for both consoles.

Gallery: Nyko PlayStation 4 and Xbox One Accessories (E3 2013)

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JoystiqNyko keeps your second screen experience close at hand originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Jun 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2013microsoftnykoxboxxbox-oneSat, 15 Jun 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@E3: The Evil Within's terrifying blockhead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/seen-e3-the-evil-withins-terrifying-blockhead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/seen-e3-the-evil-withins-terrifying-blockhead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/seen-e3-the-evil-withins-terrifying-blockhead/#commentsSeenE3 The Evil Within's terrifying blockhead Pyramids don't have a monopoly on terrifying head shapes, at least not if The Evil Within has anything to say about it. You might be wondering what's inside this fellow's safe-head. We got as close as we dared to take a few pictures and, frankly, we're not sure we want to know.

Gallery: The Evil Within (Box Man)

JoystiqSeen@E3: The Evil Within's terrifying blockhead originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3the-evil-withinxboxSat, 15 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2013 wrap-up with Joystiq and Engadget]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/e3-2013-wrap-up-with-joystiq-and-engadget/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/e3-2013-wrap-up-with-joystiq-and-engadget/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/e3-2013-wrap-up-with-joystiq-and-engadget/#comments E3 2013 is officially at an end. There was a lot to take in, so join Joystiq Reviews Editor Richard Mitchell and Engadget Senior Associate Editor Ben Gilbert as they do their best to encapsulate everything that went down this year.

They talk about the showings from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo, as well as some of the industry trends that are cropping up and the Oculus Rift's surprising ability to crack through the jaded, cynical shell of game journalists.

We'll have more E3 previews and coverage over the next few days, so be sure to stay tuned to Joystiq!

JoystiqE3 2013 wrap-up with Joystiq and Engadget originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dse3-2013microsoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitawii-uxboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 18:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Sherlock Holmes Crimes and Punishments' new mechanic inspired by BBC show]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/sherlock-holmes-crimes-and-punishments-inspired-by-bbc-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/sherlock-holmes-crimes-and-punishments-inspired-by-bbc-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/sherlock-holmes-crimes-and-punishments-inspired-by-bbc-show/#commentsSherlock Holmes Crimes and Punishments inspired by BBC show Sherlock Holmes Crimes and Punishments is a departure from Frogwares' previous investigation game, The Testament of Sherlock Holmes, in a number of ways. Crimes and Punishments aims to put players inside the mind of the world's greatest detective, to see the world as he sees it and deliberate the moral choices within Holmes' logistics of justice. It's emotional and dark, and in a demo showing off the story as told in Unreal Engine 3, it already appears insanely effective.

One of the most obvious changes is the new "Character Portrait" ability, which allows Holmes to take a moment and examine a suspect or witness with his keen, investigative eye. As he scans the person, words in white appear over certain features, noting how expensive or worn down certain articles of clothing are, noting scrapes or signs of labor on limbs, and deducing relevant, personal information.

This ability in particular is inspired by the BBC show Sherlock, designer Olga Chalovskaya told me. Sherlock is, itself, a dramatic interpretation of Holmesian detective stories, and Crimes and Punishments draws on many of the same, human-driven tones.

Gallery: Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments (6/7/13)

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JoystiqSherlock Holmes Crimes and Punishments' new mechanic inspired by BBC show originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2013focus-home-interactivefrogwaresmicrosoftpcplaystationps3sherlock-holmes-crimes-and-punishmentsxboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix's Fantasia: Music Evolved is made of pure magic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/harmonix-fantasia-music-evolved-is-made-of-pure-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/harmonix-fantasia-music-evolved-is-made-of-pure-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/harmonix-fantasia-music-evolved-is-made-of-pure-magic/#commentsHarmonix' Fantasia Music Evolved is made of pure magic I can name the exact moment that I fell in love with Harmonix's latest game, Fantasia: Music Evolved, at this year's E3. Periodically throughout the game, you're presented with an on-screen globe, and you can wave your hand over it to create a tune. The science of how it works isn't exactly clear (you're adjusting the pitch and rhythm of a tone somehow), but the tool is simple, it works, and the game will periodically play back your creation to you, and then allow you to redraw it over if you don't like it. Once the tune is set, you can swipe both your arms outward to zoom out to the game's "overworld" level, which in this case was a beautifully rendered, very animated robot factory, with various pipes and pistons jumping up and down in time with a rhythm.

This was the moment Fantasia showed me just how magical it was. As I tried to navigate around the stage and solve a problem by manipulating the world with the Xbox One's new Kinect sensor (a group of robots needed to get into a small doorway, so I had to swipe over some magic to shrink them down to fit), I suddenly realized that I recognized the tune that the pipes and valves were dancing to in the background. It was the one I'd just made, subtly mixed into the rhythms of the stage itself.

Gallery: Fantasia: Music Evolved (Announcement)

Continue reading Harmonix's Fantasia: Music Evolved is made of pure magic

JoystiqHarmonix's Fantasia: Music Evolved is made of pure magic originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bohemian-rhapsodybruno-marsdisneyfantasia-music-evolvedfungameharmonixkinectmicrosoftmusicperformingsome-nightsxboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fantasia: Music Evolved ties back to legacy with 'Night on Bald Mountain']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/fantasia-music-evolved-ties-back-to-legacy-with-night-on-bald/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/fantasia-music-evolved-ties-back-to-legacy-with-night-on-bald/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/fantasia-music-evolved-ties-back-to-legacy-with-night-on-bald/#commentsFantasia does tie back to legacy, 'Night on Bald Mountain' included Harmonix's Fantasia: Music Evolved will include "Night on Bald Mountain," one of the most iconic segments from Disney's 1940 classic Fantasia.

"It's one of the first songs we're announcing from the heritage of the Disney Fantasia film, bringing some of that music into the track list that runs the gamut from the original classical music from 1940 to contemporary pop today," said John Drake, head of communications at Harmonix. "Music is a living, breathing thing and we want to respect the entire canon of music, that's what Fantasia is all about."

It's not entirely clear how "Night on Bald Mountain" will be used in the game, whether it'll be a standalone track or used as a part of hub world. Harmonix is going for a different type of music game experience with Fantasia and Drake tells us the reactions have been all across the spectrum, saying some folks during the E3 presentation actually cried.

JoystiqFantasia: Music Evolved ties back to legacy with 'Night on Bald Mountain' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyfantasia-music-evolvedharmonixkinectmicrosoftxboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The faces of Fox Engine in Pro Evolution Soccer 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-faces-of-fox-engine-in-pro-evolution-soccer-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-faces-of-fox-engine-in-pro-evolution-soccer-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-faces-of-fox-engine-in-pro-evolution-soccer-2014/#commentsPro Evolution Soccer 2014 preview Heart and soul You could argue that EA Sports' FIFA series has a stranglehold on the simulation soccer game genre. The publisher locked up the FIFA license for many years to come, making it the only company with access to a number of real-life teams that other publishers such as Konami can't get its hands on.

If you care only about the number of teams that are in your sports games, then sure, FIFA is king. Until I played Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 at E3, I was still convinced that I am a "FIFA guy." That might be changing, now that Konami has introduced the Fox Engine to the series, which is being used to generate facial textures and animations in a more lifelike manner.

Sports game developers traditionally don't have the resources to commit to rendering lifelike emotion for in-game athlete's faces. In the case of games such as FIFA or Madden, expressions on athletes waver between lifeless and lifeless-with-an-open-mouth. Truly, one of the biggest tangible ways to convey the excitement of scoring goals or making crucial mistakes lies in generating that emotion through the athletes that players interact with, not unlike viewing sports broadcasts in real life.

Gallery: Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 (E3 2013)

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JoystiqThe faces of Fox Engine in Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2013Konamimicrosoftpcpes-productionsplaystationpro-evolution-soccer-2014ps3xboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The (Resident) Evil Within]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-resident-evil-within/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-resident-evil-within/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-resident-evil-within/#comments Shinji Mikami's creative influence on The Evil Within is immediately apparent. Mechanically, my brief hands-off E3 demo had a lot in common with Mikami's survival horror milestone, Resident Evil 4. The over-the-shoulder camera, slow pacing and pulse-quickening enemies were all there.

That The Evil Within shares so much with Resident Evil 4 is a two-sided proposition. Resident Evil 4 was one of the greatest games of its day, but its ground has been retread many times by subsequent survival horror games over the years, and even by Mikami himself in Shadows of the Damned.

Where The Evil Within seems to stake its greatest claim is in its visual and thematic elements. The game stars a detective named Sebastian - Seb to his friends - who is sent to investigate a disturbance at a mental hospital. An unknown event has claimed the lives of several patients and possibly a few police officers.

Gallery: The Evil Within (E3 2013)

Continue reading The (Resident) Evil Within

JoystiqThe (Resident) Evil Within originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdamicrosoftpcplaystationps3Shinji-Mikamitango-gameworksthe-evil-withinxboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reconstructing crimes in Batman: Arkham Origins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/reconstructing-crimes-in-batman-arkham-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/reconstructing-crimes-in-batman-arkham-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/reconstructing-crimes-in-batman-arkham-origins/#comments
Warner Bros. Montreal is bringing a new side-mission distraction to Batman: Arkham Origins that will pique the interests of those who've enjoyed the forensic focus of Rocksteady's games. At E3 I put on my detective cowl to try out the new "Crime Reconstruction" mechanic.

It began, as it so often does, on a rooftop on a cold Gotham night. As Batman, I saw a police helicopter rise from behind the ledge, ordering me to surrender. Even if I wanted to, a gunshot took the helicopter down before I could respond. It spiralled out of control, tailspinning several stories into the icy street below. Confused, I swooped down to look for survivors. The helicopter was wrecked, and I found a body flung a few feet away: the dead pilot.

This is where the crime reconstruction began. First I analysed the body in Detective Mode with the Evidence Scanner, which takes in all of the crime scene's data in hyper-quick time to play Columbo within seconds. As I scanned, I saw the helicopter's crash trace back in time, in suitably cool-looking virtual blue bittiness. As it replayed, I saw the copter take out a first-story ledge before crashing into the earth below. Scanning the body, I learned he died on impact, and not from the gunshot.

Gallery: Batman: Arkham Origins (E3 2013)

Continue reading Reconstructing crimes in Batman: Arkham Origins

JoystiqReconstructing crimes in Batman: Arkham Origins originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-originse3-2013microsoftnintendopcplaystationps3warner-broswarner-bros-montrealwbiewii-uxboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@E3: Xbox One E3 signage defaced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/seen-e3-xbox-one-e3-signage-defaced/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/seen-e3-xbox-one-e3-signage-defaced/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/seen-e3-xbox-one-e3-signage-defaced/#commentsSeenE3 Xbox One signage defaced at E3 This image of a defaced Xbox One advertisement was spotted at LA's JW Marriott hotel by CAG's own CheapyD, who promptly posted it to Twitter for us all to see.

Continue reading Seen@E3: Xbox One E3 signage defaced

JoystiqSeen@E3: Xbox One E3 signage defaced originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2013microsoftxboxxbox-oneThu, 13 Jun 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zod revealed as next Injustice DLC character]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/zod-revealed-as-next-injustice-dlc-character-on-conan/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/zod-revealed-as-next-injustice-dlc-character-on-conan/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/zod-revealed-as-next-injustice-dlc-character-on-conan/#comments
The heroes and villains of the DC Universe will soon kneel before Zod, as the perennial Superman villain has been revealed as Injustice: Gods Among Us' next DLC character. The announcement was made during the latest installment of Conan O'Brien's Clueless Gamer series, wherein Conan loses to a blindfolded Aaron Bleyaert.

The segment also revealed a character based on Conan: "The Flaming C," which was co-designed by Conan and legendary DC animated universe pioneer Bruce Timm. We've reached out to Team Coco to find out whether The Flaming C will be coming to Injustice, or if his creation was solely for the show. We'll be simultaneously keeping our fingers crossed for The Flaming C, while also keeping our ears to the ground for more specific information about Zod's release, in the days to come.

[Thanks, Steve!]

JoystiqZod revealed as next Injustice DLC character originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clueless-gamerconanconan-obrienDLCflaming-cgeneral-zodinjustice-gods-among-usmicrosoftNetherrealm-Studiosnintendoplaystationps3the-flaming-cWarner-Bros-Interactive-Entertainmentwii-uxboxzodThu, 13 Jun 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts built with 'cinema quality' art assets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/call-of-duty-ghosts-built-with-cinema-quality-art-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/call-of-duty-ghosts-built-with-cinema-quality-art-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/call-of-duty-ghosts-built-with-cinema-quality-art-assets/#comments
We had the opportunity to chat with Call of Duty: Ghosts Executive Producer Mark Rubin during E3, but instead of asking how many guns the latest installment has, we decided to focus on tech and art.

Rubin explains how the next-gen console architectures being so close to PCs will likely help all developers, from the mega studios, like Infinity Ward, to basement developers like Sally Perkins (you'll hear about her in five years). He also goes on to explain how Infinity Ward has reworked its art flow to benefit all platforms.

Gallery: Call of Duty: Ghosts (E3 2013)

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts built with 'cinema quality' art assets originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzardcall-of-duty-ghostsInfinity-Wardmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 13 Jun 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New hybrid figures jump into the Skylanders: Swap Force toybox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/new-hybrid-figures-jump-into-the-skylanders-swap-force-toybox/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/new-hybrid-figures-jump-into-the-skylanders-swap-force-toybox/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/new-hybrid-figures-jump-into-the-skylanders-swap-force-toybox/#commentsSkylanders Swap Force promises to build a better toybox
When you're tasked with previewing the latest and greatest in kid stuff, it's hard to not feel at least the slightest bit jealous. In my day, our molded lumps of China-manufactured plastics rarely interacted with technology in any meaningful way, and we liked it just fine.

Even so, if you lopped a good 20 years off my current age, it would be impossible to avoid the charms of Skylanders, a series that's successfully merged the worlds of physical and digital play - all with a booster pack-style setup that's only mildly predatory on parents' wallets. As backwards compatibility quickly becomes a thing of the past, Skylanders: Swap Force offers compatibility with every figure Activision has sold since 2011, along with a slew of new features that promise to make this installment the biggest and best its pint-sized audience has seen yet.

Gallery: Skylanders Swap Force (E3 2013)

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JoystiqNew hybrid figures jump into the Skylanders: Swap Force toybox originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisionmicrosoftps3skylanders-swap-forceVicarious-Visionswii-uThu, 13 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Achievements, unlocked: Microsoft details Xbox One's 'challenge' system]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/achievements-unlocked-microsoft-details-xbox-ones-challenge/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/achievements-unlocked-microsoft-details-xbox-ones-challenge/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/achievements-unlocked-microsoft-details-xbox-ones-challenge/#commentsMicrosoft details Xbox One achievements, community challenge system Microsoft's Cierra McDonald has outlined plans for the Xbox One's overhauled achievements system, detailing new in-game "challenges" that promote community collaboration.

Xbox One challenges are time-limited tasks displayed alongside achievements in a player's profile. Unlike achievements, challenges do not award GamerScore. Challenges, however, have the ability to track progress across multiple games and among all Xbox Live members, allowing developers to implement community-based goals. The Xbox 360 currently offers a similar service with Avatar FameStar.

McDonald outlines a possible implementation: "Imagine, for example, a game releases a headshot weekend challenge that requires players to cumulatively headshot 1 million baddies in a 3 day period. And every person who participates and meets the challenge's goals gets the unlock on his or her achievement history and reaps its reward."

Achievements, meanwhile, are not bound by time constraints, and are still unlocked via individual player progress. Promising players "more tangible benefits" for their in-game progress, McDonald notes that Xbox One achievements may now unlock "digital artwork, new maps, unlockable characters, and temporary stat boosts," along with other bonuses.

McDonald revealed that Xbox One video and music apps can also use achievements to reward players with "sneak peek content, early access, or subscription extensions." Note, however, that you can't use app achievements to pad out your Gamerscore - points are only awarded for achievements earned in games.

JoystiqAchievements, unlocked: Microsoft details Xbox One's 'challenge' system originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementschallengesmicrosoftxboxxbox-livexbox-oneThu, 13 Jun 2013 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Project Spark is an evolution of Kodu's programming language]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/project-spark-is-an-evolution-of-kodus-programming-language/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/project-spark-is-an-evolution-of-kodus-programming-language/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/project-spark-is-an-evolution-of-kodus-programming-language/#commentsProject Spark is the evolution of Kodu's programming language Microsoft Studios manager Michael Saxs Persson tells Joystiq that Project Spark is a natural evolution of the programming language found in Kodu Game Lab, the game building software released on Xbox 360 and PC in 2009. "The project architect from Kodu is working on the language for this game," Persson added.

Persson says that Project Spark isn't the same in terms of the game designing elements, but the language used to aid players program how objects in Spark is the natural progression of the same features found in Kodu. Programming in Spark takes the "If This, Then That" approach, telling objects when and how to react to different situations. In a demo presentation behind closed doors, Persson showcased how layered those decisions could be.

Spark has a host of other features, including a decision tree-type system that allows creators to answer a handful of questions to build quests and missions. Once their "story" has been developed, it can be shared to other players who can play through the created experience or edit it for their own tales.

Spark also allows players to create a variety of different kinds of games, much in the same way that players could use the tools available in LittleBigPlanet 2 to develop shooters. Examples shown were a Pilotwings-style game created by the developers, as well as a working synthesizer with on/off switches, programmed background beats and a record and playback option. Though not shown, one gametype that sounded especially devious was a "Bad Advice Blackjack" game, where a Goblin would troll the player during card games, offering bad advice and telling them how bad they were.

Project Spark is a launch window game for the Xbox One. A beta is planned for later this year on Windows 8.

JoystiqProject Spark is an evolution of Kodu's programming language originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3-2013Kodumicrosoftproject-sparkxboxThu, 13 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision bullish about Skylanders in face of Disney Infinity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/activision-bullish-about-skylanders-in-face-of-disney-infinity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/activision-bullish-about-skylanders-in-face-of-disney-infinity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/activision-bullish-about-skylanders-in-face-of-disney-infinity/#comments
Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, says the company isn't changing its sales projections on the Skylanders franchise, or this fall's Skylanders: Swap Force, in the face of Disney Infinity.

"We're still bullish on our projections. We feel like it was only a matter of time, given the scale of the success of Skylanders, that other competitors entered the genre. That's to be expected," said Hirshberg.

"I get this question a lot on Call of Duty. We have tough competition every year. We have tough competition in every category we play in, it's a part of the business. We try not to focus on it. We try to focus on making the best games we can and exceeding the expectations of our fans and bottling magic."

Skylanders has surpassed $1 billion in lifetime sales since launching in 2011. Disney Infinity will launch this August.

JoystiqActivision bullish about Skylanders in face of Disney Infinity originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzarde3-2013Eric-Hirshbergmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3wiiwii-uxboxThu, 13 Jun 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo 3 for consoles may be different, but it's still Diablo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/diablo-3-for-consoles-may-be-different-but-its-still-diablo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/diablo-3-for-consoles-may-be-different-but-its-still-diablo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/diablo-3-for-consoles-may-be-different-but-its-still-diablo/#commentsDiablo 3 for consoles different, but still Diablo Utter the phrase "Diablo for consoles" to anyone that has some familiarity with gaming history and you're bound to hear some Sideshow Bob-style shudders in response. Blizzard's skeleton-clicking series didn't have the most graceful entry into the world of console gaming, and after a disastrous 1998 PlayStation port Diablo hasn't dared to leave its PC home.

This year, however, Blizzard revealed Diablo 3 would make the transition with versions coming to Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One and PS4, finally giving console players a taste of the magic they've been missing out on for well over a decade.

Thankfully, Blizzard has been much more thoughtful this time about transitioning a mouse-and-keyboard-driven experience to console controls.

Gallery: Diablo 3 (E3 2013)

PS3 MultiplayerPS3 MultiplayerPS3 MultiplayerPS3 MultiplayerPS3 Multiplayer

Continue reading Diablo 3 for consoles may be different, but it's still Diablo

JoystiqDiablo 3 for consoles may be different, but it's still Diablo originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-BlizzardBlizzardBlizzard-EntertainmentDiablo-3microsoftplaystationps3xboxThu, 13 Jun 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Xbox 360 torn down, shows we're all the same on the inside]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/new-xbox-360-2013-tear-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/new-xbox-360-2013-tear-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/new-xbox-360-2013-tear-down/#commentsNew Xbox 360 torn down, shows we're all the same on the inside A teardown of the new Xbox 360 announced at Microsoft's E3 press conference by iFixit showed some surprising non-changes to the redesigned system. Namely, the console still uses the storage, cooling fan and processing power from the current version of the system first announced in June 2010.

Among the changes made to the system (referred to as the Xbox 360 E), iFixit noticed that Microsoft updated the RF module and that "the absence of the power button backlight found in the Xbox 360 S is easily noticed." The redesigned console is available now for the same price as the existing models. We got a good look at the system ourselves at E3, albeit from the outside.

JoystiqNew Xbox 360 torn down, shows we're all the same on the inside originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2013microsoftredesignteardownxboxxbox-360-exbox-360-sxbox-360-slimThu, 13 Jun 2013 13:07:00 EST