Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/JoystiqThe Joystiq Podcast combines insightful commentary on the week's video game news and culture with several disembodied, often spooky, voices. Voices may or may not belong to Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann, Joystiq.com editors, or their guests. Spookiness not guaranteed where prohibited, please check local laws. More information available at www.joystiq.comPAX 2008: Penny Arcade Adventures producer gushes about Episode 2http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/pax-2008-penny-arcade-adventures-producer-gushes-about-episode/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/pax-2008-penny-arcade-adventures-producer-gushes-about-episode/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/pax-2008-penny-arcade-adventures-producer-gushes-about-episode/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Last week during PAX 2008, we sat down with Hothead COO and Penny Arcade Adventures Producer Joel DeYoung as he guided us through Episode 2 and improvements to the engine. The gist of it is: if you liked Episode 1, you'll like Episode 2 that much more. Here's the rundown from our talks:
  • Highlighting points of interest has been made easier! "If you have your proximity putting you close enough to 2 or 3 things, you can slide through that with bumpers," said DeYoung.
  • There are now difficulty levels, including an Insane Mode (unlockable only after beating the game). Special collectibles and pickups are only available if you play Insane Mode. Comparatively, Episode 1's difficulty is "a little easier" than medium.
  • All the weapons have been replaced. Tycho gets a shotgun, Gabe has new fist upgrades and your player now possesses -- wait for it -- a hoe! Also changed are the special attack minigames.
  • You now have, among other new items, a revive potion. Healing won't be enough to bring your troops back to life. "Just adds a little bit of depth to it," said DeYoung.
  • The real-time reaction for defense has been made more obvious (e.g. "Block!" now appears when you need to push block), but nothing analogous for attacking has been added.
More after the break.
%Gallery-30963%

Continue reading PAX 2008: Penny Arcade Adventures producer gushes about Episode 2

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>hotheadhothead-gamesinterviewjoel-deyoungjoystiqfeaturespaa-episode-2pax-08pax-2008penny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventurespenny-arcade-expoThu, 04 Sep 2008 10:30:00 ESTPAX 2008: One hour with full version of Fallout 3http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/pax-2008-one-hour-with-the-full-version-of-fallout-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/pax-2008-one-hour-with-the-full-version-of-fallout-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/pax-2008-one-hour-with-the-full-version-of-fallout-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Click for all our Fallout 3 coverage
We were given one hour with Fallout 3 at this year's PAX, and we don't mean some pared down, nerfed, demo-ized level; this was the full version. Not only that, but the Bethesda folks showed it to us in the tricked out Fallout 3 Airstream Trailer, complete with a nuclear family peering in.

Lead designer Emil Pagliarulo started us out roughly an hour into the game, when you exit the vault for the very first time. We missed the whole "growing up" phase in order to rush right into the action. We didn't mind. but what of our first 18 or so years? Maybe you start out on the cellular level, and fight your way out in a glorious Spore/Fallout hybrid. Your guess is as good as ours.
%Gallery-30865%

Continue reading PAX 2008: One hour with full version of Fallout 3

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>bethesdafalloutfallout-3hands-onimpressionsjoystiqfeaturespax-08pax-2008penny-arcade-expoThu, 04 Sep 2008 10:00:00 ESTDisaster: Day of Crisis officially looming in UKhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/disaster-day-of-crisis-officially-looming-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/disaster-day-of-crisis-officially-looming-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/disaster-day-of-crisis-officially-looming-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The Day you thought would never come has finally arrived, leaping over the horizon and declaring, "I am alive, but not to be confused with I Am Alive, the similarly themed disaster survival game from Ubisoft!" It seems Nintendo has finally gotten around to announcing the official UK release date for Disaster: Day of Crisis, thus dragging the Monolith Soft-developed Wii game from the murky realms of vaporware and into the fluorescent aisles of your local video game retailer.

October 24th has been chosen as the day which game protagonist Raymond Bryce is sure to describe as the worst of his life, what with it attempting to kill him constantly in earthquakes, fires, floods and tenuously connected terrorist attacks. There are also bears. See the peril for yourself in the gallery below.

We certainly hope the game's been worth the wait, if only to spare us from a parade of self-congratulatory reviewers cleverly dubbing it a "disaster."

Gallery: Disaster: Day of Crisis

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>DisasterDisaster-Day-of-CrisisTue, 02 Sep 2008 18:30:00 ESTMirror's Edge receiving 'exclusive' DLC on PS3http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/mirrors-edge-receiving-exclusive-dlc-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/mirrors-edge-receiving-exclusive-dlc-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/mirrors-edge-receiving-exclusive-dlc-on-ps3/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


While dismissing reports of timed PlayStation 3 exclusivity, EA has revealed that its run-jump-and-climb-em-up Mirror's Edge did cut an "exclusive marketing agreement" with the folks at Sony. Elaborating further, an EA spokesman told Eurogamer, "Exclusive downloadable content will be offered on the PlayStation Network."Ah, but that's not the same as offering downloadable content exclusively, now is it?

As we've all come to learn, the industry's use of the word "exclusive" is about as persistent as a piece of cotton candy in your mouth. For all we know (which, admittedly, isn't a lot), the Xbox 360 and PC versions of Mirror's Edge could be receiving their own "exclusive" downloadable bits. Probably some designer gloves and elbow pads for our squirrely protagonist.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>DLCEAMirrors-EdgePSNTue, 02 Sep 2008 12:30:00 ESTNew Fallout 3 Achievements will set your pants on firehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/new-fallout-3-achievements-will-set-your-pants-on-fire/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/new-fallout-3-achievements-will-set-your-pants-on-fire/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/new-fallout-3-achievements-will-set-your-pants-on-fire/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Is your craving for Fallout 3 currently and properly satiated? If so, hold onto this link for a fix later, but otherwise check out Xbox360Achievement's listing of the game's, well, Achievements. Aside from the usual (30 quest-based, 9 level and karma-based), our favorite new achievement is going to be Psychotic Prankster, which essentially involves adding to your "Exploding Pants" statistic by "placing a grenade or mine while pickpocketing." Of course, the highlights of these little Gamerscore supplements are the associated Vault Boy icons, which would make a great collage for our desktop background.

[Thanks, Dan]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>achievementsbethesdafalloutfallout-3Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:30:00 ESTNew, fruit-tacular Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 2 screenshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/new-fruit-tacular-penny-arcade-adventures-episode-2-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/new-fruit-tacular-penny-arcade-adventures-episode-2-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/new-fruit-tacular-penny-arcade-adventures-episode-2-screens/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

With PAX 2008 bringing out oodles of Penny Arcade love, why not use this opportunity to pimp the upcoming PA Adventures Episode 2? In addition to chatting with COO Joel DeYoung (that aftermath of which will be published early this week), Hothead Games sent us more than a dozen new screenshots, including a few that are just for us (we feel touched by that, although on that note we wonder if some of them are creepy subliminal messages to us). PAA:OTRSPoD Episode 2 is due out later this year.
%Gallery-30963%
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>hotheadotrspodpaa-episode-2penny-arcade-adventuresMon, 01 Sep 2008 22:30:00 ESTPAX 2008: TellTale talks Wii, IP licensing and the futurehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-tell-tale-talks-wii-ip-licensing-and-the-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-tell-tale-talks-wii-ip-licensing-and-the-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-tell-tale-talks-wii-ip-licensing-and-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


TellTale, purveyors of all things pointy and clicky, were kind enough to have a natter with us on the PAX show floor. Designer, Mark Darin, and PR Manager, Emily Morgant, chat to us regarding developing for the Wii, how deals for the Sam and Max, Homestar Runner and Wallace and Gromit franchises came about and plans for the future. Hint: we won't be finding out about any more TellTale products for a little while.

Are there any plans to bring any of TellTale's properties on to XBLA or PSN?

Mark:Start with the hard questions! I don't really have too many answers to that. I know that we're looking to get on as many platforms as we can. We're talking to people about opportunities but no solid plans right now.

Emily: I would add to that that when we announced that we coming out with a WiiWare game and it was already in production and that it would be coming out a few months later, everybody was very surprised. We do things and don't talk about them.

How has your experience been with Nintendo's platform versus the PC?

Mark: Working with Nintendo's been pretty good. Actually our production process is kind of streamlined and our TellTale Tool is created to work well with multiple systems. So for us there's really no bottleneck, it's the same as working on the PC environment. All the help that Nintendo's been giving us and allowing us the opportunity to be on WiiWare has been great for our company and great for getting titles like SBCG4AP out there to a new audience who maybe isn't used to Adventure games. It's been a great partnership with Nintendo so far.


Continue reading PAX 2008: TellTale talks Wii, IP licensing and the future

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>joystiqfeaturesPAX-08PAX-2008sam-and-maxSBcg4APstrong-bads-cool-game-for-attractive-peopleTellTalewallace-and-gromitSun, 31 Aug 2008 08:00:00 ESTPostcards pitch LittleBigPlanet to the masseshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/postcards-pitch-littlebigplanet-to-the-masses/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/postcards-pitch-littlebigplanet-to-the-masses/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/postcards-pitch-littlebigplanet-to-the-masses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Weren't sure how serious Sony is about getting everyone hyped about LittleBigPlanet? On the heels of news that LBP's Sackboy is being positioned as the new (fabric) face of PS3 comes a Best Buy blitz of lovely postcards extolling the game's many virtues to customers who'd otherwise look at it and say, "Huh?"

The crew at PS3 Fanboy has the whole lot of them scanned in all their cute-yet-informative glory. Give them a look!
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>best-buylittlebigplanetmedia-moleculepostcardsps3-fanboysonyFri, 29 Aug 2008 23:30:00 ESTDead Space ups release date to Oct. 24 in Europe for consoleshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/dead-space-ups-release-date-to-week-of-oct-20-in-na-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/dead-space-ups-release-date-to-week-of-oct-20-in-na-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/dead-space-ups-release-date-to-week-of-oct-20-in-na-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Now ... now we're afraid. EA announced today that its sci-fi survival-horror game Dead Space is hitting retail a week before its originally scheduled Halloween release in Europe. Doesn't EA understand what it's doing?! The natural order of this industry is being torn apart by such shifts in the timeline. Games are meant to be delayed, not ... um, what's the word for "undelayed"? See, we don't even know because we never use it!

The game will release in Europe on Oct. 24 for PS3 and Xbox 360, while the PC will still receive it on Halloween (Oct. 31). We're still waiting on an official release from EA in North America The game will release in North America on Oct. 21.

Update: Looks like the NA date change was announced during a trailer last month.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>dead-spaceeaFri, 29 Aug 2008 12:00:00 ESTMetareview -- Castle Crashers (Xbox 360)http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/metareview-castle-crashers-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/metareview-castle-crashers-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/metareview-castle-crashers-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Castle Crashers has invaded Xbox Live Arcade and, unless you're having connectivity issues, chances are you've discovered the charm in this homage revolution modern iteration of the beat 'em up genre. The game seems to be receiving positive reviews for its ambition as an XBLA title, but those pesky connection issues are causing reviewers to shave points off "Castle Crashes'" overall score.
  • IGN (90/100): "Castle Crashers takes the best elements of traditional side-scrolling beat-em-ups and adds lots of flair. There's some great humor here and some nice surprises that will please most. ... The bulk of Castle Crashers is an enjoyable ride and one every 360 owner should experience."
  • GameSpot (85/100): "Even at a price of 1,200 Microsoft points, Castle Crashers provides great value. The main storyline offers hours of bad-guy beating and princess-rescuing fun that it is sure to please. The ability to play with friends should make the experience richer, even if it is limited to a more local experience. As a testament to its entertainment, feature losses and some disappointing online play hardly slow this juggernaut of amusement down. This is an absurdly hilarious romp you won't soon forget."
  • VGT (60/100): "Castle Crashers is an entertaining brawler, but the replay value is chopped into little frustrating bits by a horrifically painful online experience. I'm left wondering why I spent $15 (1200 MS points) on a five-hour single player game. Multiple playthroughs will unlock new characters, but the repetitive nature is a bit tiresome. Avoid purchasing Castle Crashers until the developer sorts the major online problems out."
X3F in Brief and GameTrailer's video reviews can be found after the break.

Continue reading Metareview -- Castle Crashers (Xbox 360)

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>behemothcastle-crashersmetareviewthe-behemothThu, 28 Aug 2008 12:30:00 ESTInterview: Dyack addresses Too Human complaintshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/interview-dyack-addresses-too-human-complaints/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/interview-dyack-addresses-too-human-complaints/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/interview-dyack-addresses-too-human-complaints/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Continuing with their week-long series, nos amis at X3F talked with Silicon Knights President Denis Dyack over some of Too Human's biggest perceived faults. Part 1 of today's video interview is embedded above. Some highlights:
  • On the community's early judgment: "People are trying to understand a game that's inherently interactive [by watching a video] ... All I can say is try the demo."
  • On clipping and texture issues: "There's glitches in all games. It's really interesting to me because, as an example, there's gonna be things you can always improve. To me, framerate's not really that essential in cutscenes and it never has been for us ... I don't think Too Human's inconsistent from any of our previous games ... So there's clipping. Oh noes. Bottom line is, does it affect gameplay and by how much? Are there ways to improve Too Human? For sure, but the overall big picture? Happy, extremely happy."
  • On the Valkyrie death scene: Dyack estimated it was a 15 and a 1/2 second scene. "If it's a sign that people love the game so much that they just want to get back in and play, could we make it skippable? Sure, it's an easy change. Is it something we ever would have anticipated since we thought it was faster than going to get your body or losing experience [which does not happen in Too Human] ... is that a change we can make in the future? Sure."
  • On comparisons to Diablo: "There's this tactical element. People think, 'oh, this is like Diablo with a bit of action. In Diablo I can just go up to an enemy and pound him away [until it dies] and move on to the next one, if you had the better loot, you usually win. In Too Human, if you don't use your tactics, it is a new kind of genre-bender, you're gonna die. And we're looking at some of the feedback and a lot of people are dying. [laughs]"
  • On future downloadable content: "I think that's gonna be unique to people who pre-order it, that's a one-time thing. But we've got tons of ideas that will far exceed the pre-order bonus."
Check out part two of the interview after the break.

Continue reading Interview: Dyack addresses Too Human complaints

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>denis-dyackdyacksilicon-knightstoo-humanWed, 27 Aug 2008 11:30:00 ESTX3F takes tour of Silicon Knights' studiohttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/x3f-takes-tour-of-silicon-knights-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/x3f-takes-tour-of-silicon-knights-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/x3f-takes-tour-of-silicon-knights-studio/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click for the pic-tour-ial
Our compatriots over at X3F visited Too Human developer Silicon Knights last week and were welcomed with a big, friendly bear hug from president Denis Dyack, who proceeded to drink from a bottomless coffee mug as he gave them a tour of the Ontario-based studio. Check out video of the guided tour (after the break) as well a pic-tour-ial gallery. X3F has an entire week of Silicon Knights coverage planned. Tomorrow: Part 1 of their 1-on-1 interview Dyack.

Gallery: Silicon Knights: Studio Tour

Denis Dyack with Xav de Matos

Continue reading X3F takes tour of Silicon Knights' studio

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>denis-dyacksilicon-knightstoo-humanMon, 25 Aug 2008 12:00:00 ESTVirtual Console adds classic role-playing, tardy fighterhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/virtual-console-adds-classic-role-playing-tardy-fighter/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/virtual-console-adds-classic-role-playing-tardy-fighter/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/virtual-console-adds-classic-role-playing-tardy-fighter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


How nice of you to join us. Do you have any idea what time it is? We were expecting you weeks ago! Well, no matter, go and take your seat with the rest of the Virtual Console class so we can begin.
  • Samurai Shodown 2 (Neo Geo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points): SNK's 1994 follow up to Samurai Shodown finally slices and dices its way onto the Virtual Console this week, bringing back most of the original's weapon-wielding cast, as well as several newcomers vying for the opportunity to skewer anything that moves with a pointy blade and sharp Engrish wit.
  • Ys Book I & II (TurboGrafx 16 CD-ROM, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): Nihon Falcom's enhanced remakes of the first two titles in the Ys saga finally levels up for the US Virtual Console. Offering roguelike-style combat and music we still find ourselves humming at the dinner table, this is a download not to be missed by role-playing fans with eyes for the classics.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>falcomnintendosamurai-shodown-2snkvirtual-consolevirtualconsolevirtualconsolemondayysMon, 25 Aug 2008 10:30:00 ESTDyack: Too Human 10-year dev cycle 'factually incorrect'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/dyack-too-human-10-year-dev-cycle-factually-incorrect/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/dyack-too-human-10-year-dev-cycle-factually-incorrect/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/dyack-too-human-10-year-dev-cycle-factually-incorrect/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Silicon Knights' Denis Dyack wants to set the record straight: Too Human was not in development for 10 years. Speaking to X3F during their tour of the studios last week, Dyack said, "I cannot dispel that rumor enough ... that is a bad way to talk about Too Human because that is factually incorrect." He cites the E3 1999 reveal -- at that point planned as a 4-disc PS One title -- but explains that production didn't actually begin until after Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes was completed. Given that title's March 2004 release, we're going to carbon date Too Human at 5 years, born in 7 A.D., or Anno Duke (Nukem Forever).

It should be noted that there are screenshots from E3 1999, but both those and the descriptions appear devoid of any Norse mythology that now has become a major aspect of the game. Stay tuned for video and images from X3F's Silicon Knights tour later today.

Check out X3F's four-part video series with Too Human developer Silicon Knights, including a guided studio tour and an interview with the ever-controversial Denis Dyack.


Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>decadedenis-dyacksilicon-knightstoo-humanMon, 25 Aug 2008 10:00:00 ESTQuest for Glory II VGA remake releasedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/quest-for-glory-ii-vga-remake-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/quest-for-glory-ii-vga-remake-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/quest-for-glory-ii-vga-remake-released/#commentsFiled under: , ,


If you're still downtrodden at hearing that Activision won't be publishing the classic Sierra adventures of yesteryear, we have great, great news: The saints at AGD Interactive have just released the (free) VGA remake of Quest for Glory II: Trial By Fire, a labor of love in development off and on for nearly seven years.

Finally you'll get to meet Rakeesh, Uhura and Ad Avis in their 256-color glory, as well as get the chance to navigate a much simplified alleyway system. If that last bit didn't make you breathe a sigh of relief, you should click here immediately and get educated. If it did ... well, we assume we've already lost you to the "Source" link.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>agdiquest-for-glorysierratrial-by-fireMon, 25 Aug 2008 08:30:00 ESTWatch the birth of a LittleBigPlanet player-made stagehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/watch-the-birth-of-a-littlebigplanet-player-made-stage/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/watch-the-birth-of-a-littlebigplanet-player-made-stage/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/watch-the-birth-of-a-littlebigplanet-player-made-stage/#commentsFiled under: ,


In the beginning, Media Molecule made LittleBigPlanet. But the levels were barren and flat, and devoid of obstacles, so the player moved upon the face of the level creation system. And the player said, "Let there be swinging, spongy balls," and there were swinging, spongy balls. And the player saw the swinging, spongy balls, that they were good, and he divided the swinging, spongy balls from the electrified floor.

If you needed any more proof that LittleBigPlanet's level creation system is going to be mind-blowingly robust, (though arguably less robust then the level creation system discussed in Genesis), we turn your attention to the video posted after the break -- a time-lapse sneak preview of a player crafting his own level. It's a pretty clever design, and looks like a blast -- best of all, it only took about ten minutes. That kind of thing apparently used to take seven days. Thanks, technology!

Continue reading Watch the birth of a LittleBigPlanet player-made stage

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>genesislevel-creationlittlebigplanetmedia-moleculevideoSun, 24 Aug 2008 12:05:00 ESTMyst + iPhone = iMyst, cue iGag over iNaming iSchemehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/myst-iphone-imyst-cue-igag-over-inaming-ischeme/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/myst-iphone-imyst-cue-igag-over-inaming-ischeme/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/myst-iphone-imyst-cue-igag-over-inaming-ischeme/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Oh Myst, whatever happened to you? We loved you when you were original, and we loved you even more when Riven came out. Then we were rudely slapped in the face when the game left Cyan and Ubisoft released Myst III: Exile and later Myst IV: Ages of Revelation. We tried to be chipper when you went back to Cyan and Myst V: End of Ages came out, but honestly too much water had passed under the bridge. Maybe because of the Uru: Ages Beyond Myst / Myst Online: Uru Live debacle.

But... what's this? You're coming to the iPhone? And you're being developed by Cyan? Well, glory be. However, you promised as a PSP version, and we're still waiting on that. It came out in Europe in 2006, so what gives? We know your DS version came out recently, but it is not being universally loved.

We know you might be too busy and Hollywood now, with your movie deal and iPhone announcement. But, we're still smarting from our past experiences. We'll give you another chance, but you'll need to hurry along while we're still smitten with the iPhone. And please, don't call it iMyst. Myst will do just fine. You wouldn't want us to get Pyst all over again.

[Update: We just heard from one of the gents working on the game (Yeah, that's the kind of pull we have) and they tell us "I'm pretty darn sure we're only calling it iMyst internally as a goofy moniker. I really doubt you've got anything to worry about with regards to rebranding of the game. Who knows, maybe if it does well, other Cyan games will follow." Good news all around!]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>AppleCyaniMystiPhoneMystRand-MillerRetroFri, 22 Aug 2008 20:00:00 ESTFable 2 Pub Games receiving patch, killing the exploithttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/fable-2-pub-games-receiving-patch-killin-the-exploit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/fable-2-pub-games-receiving-patch-killin-the-exploit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/fable-2-pub-games-receiving-patch-killin-the-exploit/#commentsFiled under: , ,


For those of you who have resisted the urge to cheat your freakin' Albionian (Albino?) butt off in the Fable 2 Pub Games, the Fable 2 development blog states that a patch is incoming to remove the infamous exploit. That's fantastic, because for those of us with certain moral or ethical issues about cheating, it was becoming hard to resist the Siren's call of all that yummy money.

The Fable 2 development blog also has some handy tips and tricks on how to play the games and improve your odds. Remember, if you're looking for in-game items and less risk, check out the tournaments. They're a great way to brush up on your gambling strategies without losing gobs of cash.

[Via X3F]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>fable-2fable-2-pub-gameslionheadFri, 22 Aug 2008 14:00:00 ESTActivision won't publish Sierra legacy titleshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/activision-wont-publish-sierra-legacy-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/activision-wont-publish-sierra-legacy-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/activision-wont-publish-sierra-legacy-titles/#commentsFiled under: ,


When we heard that Sierra was divesting itself of much of Vivendi/Sierra's portfolio post-merger, most of us on staff were worried about what it meant for interesting upcoming titles like Brutal Legend or Ghostbusters. But a few of us (and a few of you, we'd imagine) hear the word "Sierra" and still think Quest for Glory, King's Quest and all the other great Sierra legacy franchises, despite most of them being dormant for more than a decade.

Here's the word, straight from Activision: "We are retaining only those franchises that are a strong fit with our long-term strategy including Crash Bandicoot, Ice Age and Spyro, as well as Prototype and a second game that has not yet been announced. We will not publish any other titles that previously were part of the Vivendi Games portfolio and we are currently reviewing our options regarding those titles."

According to the PR-Decode-A-Tron 3000, that means you shouldn't expect to see a next-gen Space Quest any time soon, but we'd bet if we all put the money in our couch cushions together we could buy the whole lot. What do you say?
Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>kings-questpolice-questquest-for-glorysierraFri, 22 Aug 2008 10:00:00 ESTJoystiq eyes-on: Heavy Rainhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/joystiq-eyes-on-heavy-rain/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/joystiq-eyes-on-heavy-rain/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/joystiq-eyes-on-heavy-rain/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click on the image for larger, heavier rain

Warning: This preview includes spoilers for one of the game's bonus levels. Those of you fearing spoilers for the game's main story are welcome to read on.

While Heavy Rain's teaser video is awesome enough, we were lucky enough to be given a demonstration of the game by Quantic Dream's David Cage.

Before showing us any gameplay, Cage reiterated the thought processes behind developing a game like Heavy Rain. It's an adult thriller with a mature, emotionally driven story. "You're not fighting a war. There are no gangsters, knights, princesses or zombies. You're not going to save the world in this game." We're hoping this grounding in reality saves it from the bizarre tangent Indigo Prophecy (Fahrenheit for those outside the US) took towards the end of the game.
%Gallery-30067%

Continue reading Joystiq eyes-on: Heavy Rain

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>Heavy-Rainleipzig-2008lgc08PS3Quantic-DreamSonyThu, 21 Aug 2008 19:30:00 EST