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.comPain DLC delayed a week, trophies toned downhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/pain-dlc-delayed-a-week-trophies-toned-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/pain-dlc-delayed-a-week-trophies-toned-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/pain-dlc-delayed-a-week-trophies-toned-down/#commentsFiled under: ,

Like a hot nurse kissing a mime, there's something good and something bad in today's update from the always-busy developers behind the PS3's bone-breaking simulator, Pain. First, the bad news: the downloadable "Uncle Jimmy's Fun Park" level, originally planned for release tomorrow, has been delayed, and is currently targeted for release on the ominous date of Sept. 11.

Why was it delayed? Well that's the good news: the development team has been spending its time scaling back the difficulty of the somewhat ridiculous trophies it announced last month. Seems testers didn't have too much fun grinding their way through the "one billion points" trophy, among others. The new trophy list, which is copied below the break, is also set to be downloadable on Sept. 11

Continue reading Pain DLC delayed a week, trophies toned down

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]]>DLCdownloadpainPS3PSNsonytrophiestrophyThu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 ESTLBP (LittleBigPlanet) gets LPB (limited public beta) this monthhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/lbp-littlebigplanet-gets-lpb-limited-public-beta-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/lbp-littlebigplanet-gets-lpb-limited-public-beta-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/lbp-littlebigplanet-gets-lpb-limited-public-beta-this-month/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Those of you who just can't wait for that somewhat amorphous Little Big Planet release date should keep your ears to the ground this month. A developer on the PlayStation message boards let slip that the game will be put through a "limited public beta" sometime this month -- a sort of stress test of the game's architecture before the full release.

How do you get in on that hot, hot customizable platformer action? Well, that's also a little amorphous. "If it will be possible to 'sign up' for this test, full information on how to do so will be made public in advance of the test," the developer writes. "Similarly if the test is going to be conducted in an invitation-only we will let you know ahead of time." Of course, once that information is out there, you'll read about it here.

[Via PS3Fanboy]
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]]>lbplittlebigplanetmedia-moleculePS3Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:00:00 ESTPAX 2008 hands-on: Magic: Duels of the Planeswalkershttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/pax-2008-hands-on-magic-duels-of-the-planeswalkers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/pax-2008-hands-on-magic-duels-of-the-planeswalkers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/pax-2008-hands-on-magic-duels-of-the-planeswalkers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Wizards of the Coast has been very busy talking about the 4th edition of Dungeons and Dragons, which came out this year, as well as its Star Wars and D&D miniatures and the online version of Magic: The Gathering. So, we were really caught off guard when we stopped by the Wizards booth at PAX and happened across this new version of Magic for the Xbox Live Arcade. We did a double take, tapped our mana, and found out more. Find out about the long-titled Magic: The Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers after the break.
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Continue reading PAX 2008 hands-on: Magic: Duels of the Planeswalkers

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]]>CCGDuels-Of-The-PlaneswalkersjoystiqfeaturesMagicMagic-The-GatheringPAXPAX-08PAX-2008PAX08PAX2008PlaneswalkersWizards-Of-The-CoastTue, 02 Sep 2008 15:00:00 ESTHomebrew proposal culminates in 'Bejeweled' weddinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/homebrew-proposal-culminates-in-bejeweled-wedding/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/homebrew-proposal-culminates-in-bejeweled-wedding/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/homebrew-proposal-culminates-in-bejeweled-wedding/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You've probably all but forgotten about a story we ran way back in March in which one Bernie Peng used a homebrew version of Bejeweled to propose to his girlfriend of three years. Well, Bejeweled publisher PopCap didn't forget about the proposal, helping to make the couple's wedding this Saturday an unforgettable affair.

According to the New Jersey Star-Ledger, PopCap chipped in $1,000 for decorations ($500 of which went to a Nintendo DS-shaped cake) and $5,000 for free copies of Bejeweled that were given to all 250 guests. "There are good ways and bad ways to hack software and to us, this is a good way," said PopCap spokesman Garth Chouteau. After a honeymoon in Bali, the happy, nerdy couple will also get a guided tour of Popcap's Seattle headquarters.
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]]>bejeweledcakeDShomebrewproposalweddingMon, 01 Sep 2008 17:00:00 ESTSony promises Life with PlayStation still 'on its way'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/sony-promises-life-with-playstation-still-on-its-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/sony-promises-life-with-playstation-still-on-its-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/sony-promises-life-with-playstation-still-on-its-way/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Remember when Sony said its news-and-weather-service, Life with PlayStation, would be coming in August (after initially saying it would be coming in July)? Well, calendar-equipped readers may have noticed that August has come and gone and the service is still not available. Not to fret, though, as a post on the official PlayStation blog promises that the team is just "pushing some paperwork" on the service and asks that anticipatory fans (both of you) should "hold tight just a bit longer."

The post also reveals that the free service will integrate with Folding@Home, so users can help Stanford researchers as they're scanning the headlines. Let's see CNN.com do that!
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]]>delaylife-with-playstationnewsweatherMon, 01 Sep 2008 16:00:00 ESTEuropean 80GB PS3/LittleBigPlanet bundle spottedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/european-80gb-ps3-little-big-planet-bundle-spotted/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/european-80gb-ps3-little-big-planet-bundle-spotted/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/european-80gb-ps3-little-big-planet-bundle-spotted/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Apparently, Sony won't be satisfied until every single PlayStation game is available as part of a bundle with a system. The latest title in this cavalcade of software tie-ins is apparently LittleBigPlanet, which a French retailer has revealed as part of a €399 European bundle with the 80GB PS3. The combo package will be available on Nov. 5, according to the retailer, complete with the incredibly busy box pictured above. Seriously, it looks like a unicorn vomited a graffiti-flavored rainbow on this thing. Also, is it just us or does that masked face in the lower right look suspiciously like Strong Bad?

[Via PSExtreme]
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]]>80GBbundlelbpLittleBigPlanetPS3sonyMon, 01 Sep 2008 14:00:00 ESTPAX 2008: Count all the pretty pieces in the tabletop gaming galleryhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-count-all-the-pretty-pieces-in-the-tabletop-gaming-gal/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-count-all-the-pretty-pieces-in-the-tabletop-gaming-gal/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-count-all-the-pretty-pieces-in-the-tabletop-gaming-gal/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


One of the best things about PAX is that it's not just all about video games. There are legions of people who still enjoy doing it old school, and that includes board games, tabletoppers, and RPGs. We witnessed people playing everything from the massive, sprawling, plastic-fest of Twilight Imperium to the simple wordplay of Apples to Apples. Heck, even the final elimination round of the Omegathon was a Jenga showdown.

Check out the gallery below that's filled with people who still love how a pair of dice feels in their hands. To those about to roll, we salute you.
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]]>board-gameBoard-GamesPAXPAX-08PAX-2008PAX2008RPGtable-toptabletopSun, 31 Aug 2008 21:00:00 ESTPAX 2008: Omeganaut shows us his special Jenga movehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-omeganaut-shows-us-his-special-jenga-move/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-omeganaut-shows-us-his-special-jenga-move/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-omeganaut-shows-us-his-special-jenga-move/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ben Gray, aka MNC Dover from Monday Night Crew, was eliminated from the Omegathon on Saturday, but they were nice enough to let him pass along his words of wisdom, and his ultra-secret Jenga move. If you want to know how to get a leg up on the competition, check out the video above.

One thing's for sure, if you use this move you'll never get invited to play Jenga ever again. Which might be exactly what you're looking for.
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]]>Ben-GrayJengaMNC-DoverOmegathonPAXPAX-08PAX-2008PAX08PAX2008Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:15:00 ESTPAX 2008 hands-on: Defense Grid: The Awakeninghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-hands-on-defense-grid-the-awakening/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-hands-on-defense-grid-the-awakening/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-hands-on-defense-grid-the-awakening/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click to enlarge

I have to confess this right off the bat: I don't have a high end PC gaming rig. Heck, I don't even have a PC, I use a Mac. Sure, I could load Boot Camp on this thing, but frankly my hard drive is far too crammed with music, photos, and scant room for anything gaming related. I even had to delete my free copy of the "Chess" app to make room for more.

However, that is going to have to change. Early this morning I spent some quality hands-on time with Defense Grid: The Awakening. It's a tower defense game that starts out fairly easy, and then quickly gets hard. In fact, I had my ass handed to me pretty squarely when I tried out the "hard" level, and I'm going to have to grab a PC to game on so I can beat the damn thing. They have an Xbox 360 version in the works, but it will come out some time after. Check out the gallery of screenshots below, including two new exclusives, and then hit the break to find out more about the game.
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Continue reading PAX 2008 hands-on: Defense Grid: The Awakening

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]]>Defense-GridHidden-PathjoystiqfeaturesPAXPAX-08PAX-2008PAX2008Tower-DefenseSat, 30 Aug 2008 11:00:00 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!
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]]>best-buylittlebigplanetmedia-moleculepostcardsps3-fanboysonyFri, 29 Aug 2008 23:30:00 ESTJoystiq eyes-on: How to Build a Better Being, with Will Wrighthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/joystiq-eyes-on-how-to-build-a-better-being-with-will-wright/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/joystiq-eyes-on-how-to-build-a-better-being-with-will-wright/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/joystiq-eyes-on-how-to-build-a-better-being-with-will-wright/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



We're starting to get a little sick from Spore fever, since we gamers have been hearing about it for what seems like eons. But once the title launches September 7 in North America (and September 5 in Europe and Asia), we'll have to ride the wave of hype again when the rest of the world hears about the title. Set your TiVos for one of the first (of potentially many) Spore tie-ins; the National Geographic Channel will air its HD special, How to Build a Better Being on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 PM. The production is also included in the $80 Spore Galactic Edition.

The show offers a primer in DNA and genetics beyond what we remember from high school, connecting science with Spore. It's less a look at the game directly and more of a handshake (sometimes literally) between Will Wright and genetic scientists.

How to Build a Better Being centers on the Creature Creator and the genetic basis for the game's evolution and multitude of parts. After watching a screener, we wish it also covered science behind other parts of the game. However, the hour-long show works as a companion to that fundamental Spore angle.

Continue reading Joystiq eyes-on: How to Build a Better Being, with Will Wright

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]]>eageneticshow-to-build-a-better-beingmaxisnational-geographicnational-geographic-channelsciencescience-of-sporesporespore-creature-creatorwill-wrightFri, 29 Aug 2008 08:00:00 ESTDICE: Battlefield Heroes 'already out', closed beta to expandhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/dice-battlefield-heroes-already-out-closed-beta-to-expand/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/dice-battlefield-heroes-already-out-closed-beta-to-expand/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/dice-battlefield-heroes-already-out-closed-beta-to-expand/#commentsFiled under: ,


Battlefield Heroes is a fairly unconventional game, especially when measured against other installments in the Battlefield franchise. It's an odd chimeric blend of some of our favorite shooters, with the cartoony style and sense of humor of Team Fortress 2, the character advancement of Call of Duty 4, and the free-ness of America's Army. As such, one couldn't expect the game to be released in a conventional fashion. Were the title gracing store shelves, we'd half expect the discs to come not inside a box, but rather, baked inside of a cake.

Unfortunately for pastry fans, the title will only be available via digital distribution upon its release -- though the term "release" seems to have come under scrutiny from Ben Cousins, executive producer for DICE, Battlefield Heroes' developer. According to him, the title, which is currently in closed beta, is already technically "released", and won't have the "big splash release" one expects from an Electronic Arts title.

Cousins explained that DICE simply plans to increase the size of the closed beta "to the point where every hardcore gamer in the world will probably be able to get a key if they want to," leading up to a time when the game will eventually "sneak out." We've never known a title to be well-served by a surreptitious launch, but we imagine the rules could be different when your game costs bupkis.
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]]>battlefield-heroesben-cousinsclosed-betadiceeaSat, 23 Aug 2008 21:00:00 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!]
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]]>AppleCyaniMystiPhoneMystRand-MillerRetroFri, 22 Aug 2008 20:00:00 ESTSingStar Volume 2 heading to North America in Octoberhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/singstar-volume-2-heading-to-north-america-in-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/singstar-volume-2-heading-to-north-america-in-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/singstar-volume-2-heading-to-north-america-in-october/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Recently released in Europe and Australia, SingStar Vol. 2 will take the stage in North America sometime in October, no doubt letting armchair harmonizers looking for the next in Sony's karaoke series breathe a sigh of relief -- preferably not directly into the mic.

This latest expansion will add 30 new sing-along tracks, as well as support for Trophies, presumably used to club off-tune rockers over the head for butchering radio favorites. However, given the advent of the SingStore, the need for regular discs seems trivial, especially once our arms tire from all that disc swapping. Plus, we'd rather cherry pick songs we know we'll like rather than buy in bulk and hope for the best. That's just how we roll.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]
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]]>karaokelondon-studiolondongstudionorth-americanorthamericasingstarsonystingstoretrophiesFri, 22 Aug 2008 15:00:00 ESTGC 2008: Buzz!, Destruction Derby going mobile in Europehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/gc-2008-buzz-destruction-derby-going-mobile-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/gc-2008-buzz-destruction-derby-going-mobile-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/gc-2008-buzz-destruction-derby-going-mobile-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Hands on your buzzers. What two companies partnered during this year's Leipzig Games Convention to bring "key" PlayStation franchises to mobile carriers in the European market? Quickly now. 3 ... 2 ...1... buzzcrak! The correct answer, had you answered on time, would have been Sony and UK mobile games publisher Player X, though we can forgive your tardiness given that the duo's idea of a pivotal franchise is likely to differ from what you have in mind.

No, rather than whipping Kratos' Blades of Chaos with the number 4 key on your handset, or tapping a put into the cup with the 9 in a miniaturized version of Hot Shots Golf, the companies have announced plans to bring virtual quiz show Buzz! and Reflection's original PlayStation racer Destruction Derby to mobile phones this fall and in early 2009, respectively. True, neither of these inspire us to reach for our phones just yet. However, Sony adds that the deal, a first for Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios with an outsider, will continue to bring PlayStation luminaries to mobile phones in Europe for the next three years. Thanks for playing.
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]]>buzzdestruction-derbydestructionderbyleipzig-08phonereflectionssonyThu, 21 Aug 2008 01:00:00 ESTGC 2008: Ubisoft's Jake Power to target young boyshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/gc-2008-ubisofts-jake-power-to-target-young-boys/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/gc-2008-ubisofts-jake-power-to-target-young-boys/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/gc-2008-ubisofts-jake-power-to-target-young-boys/#commentsFiled under: ,

Gosh, now we've made him sound like a kidnapper. Jake Power -- who we imagine to be Jack Bauer for kids and hard-of-hearing adults -- is a new brand of games for the Nintendo DS. Fitting neatly into Ubisoft's "Games for Everyone" range, the titles have been created for "boys ages five to eight years" and promise to indulge the men-in-progress with three "dream jobs," namely "Policeman," "Fire-Fighter" and "Handyman."

Wait a minute ... Handyman? Seriously, Ubisoft, this is 2008. We all know every young boy dreams of being a totally awesome, professional blogger one day! Who wouldn't want to sit around in their underwear, caressing nothing but a keyboard and a small tuft of distinguishing chin hair? Who wouldn't want to churn out snarky video game commentary, even if it comes at the expense of any tangible human connections? So what if there's no money or meaningful reward in it? It's not like you're throwing your life into a bottomless pit of aggressive anti-socialism and repetitive self-deprecating humor ... Just leave us alone, okay?!

Also, the Jake (and Sam and Tim) Power Fire-Fighter and Policeman games are due in North America in November 2008, with Handyman (freakin' Handyman!) following in early 2009.
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]]>Games-For-EveryoneJake-PowerLeipzig-08UbisoftWed, 20 Aug 2008 19:31:00 ESTViva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise to allow four player co-op garden editing over Xbox Livehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise-to-allow-four-player-co-op-gard/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise-to-allow-four-player-co-op-gard/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise-to-allow-four-player-co-op-gard/#commentsFiled under: ,


The obsession began as most obsessions do -- with a simple observation. Perhaps it was the perfectly arranged row of tulips, or the masterfully grown monkeynut trees. Perhaps it was the stunning flock of Chewnicorn that resided in that breathtaking place. One is never sure of how or why these feeling develop, but the end result is always the same -- your neighbor's piñata garden is too beautiful to exist, and has to be razed. It must be returned to the loam from whence it sprung, its candy-filled inhabitants scattered to the sweet-smelling wind.

Fortunately, word from Rare confirms that in addition to a slew of races and other contests, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise will indeed feature a four player co-op mode over Xbox Live, in which three players can enter and "edit" the host's garden. Players will have access to all the tools afforded them in the single-player mode, meaning you can use your trusty multi-purpose shovel to wreak a path of destruction through a friend's garden, carving a scar into its well-tended landscape.

Or you could help them out, we guess. We're not really sure why anyone would want to do that, though.
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]]>co-opmicrosoftpinatarareviva-pinata-trouble-in-paradiseSat, 16 Aug 2008 17:30:00 ESTJoystiq goes to i am 8-bithttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/joystiq-goes-to-i-am-8-bit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/joystiq-goes-to-i-am-8-bit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/joystiq-goes-to-i-am-8-bit/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Last night was the opening night shindig for the latest i am 8-bit show, and it was by far their biggest event yet. We arrived early as part of a press event to mill around and quietly take photos, but by 9PM the place was packed with people checking out the art, listening to the whomping sounds of Computer Jay, DJ R-Rated, and Leeni (check her out in the Pac-Man dress, along with her 8-bit tattoo). There was a massive line of people outside waiting to get in, and it had turned into the hottest ticket on Hollywood Blvd. Which, yes, is actually saying something.

They had turned the entire storefront of the World of Wonder (didn't they used to make Teddy Ruxpin?) into a huge display, featuring giant Piranha Plants from Super Mario Bros., and they had an old-school setup where you could play games ranging from an NES to a full-sized arcade cabinet, right there on full display to everyone passing by. It probably didn't hurt that some of the Nerdcore calendar girls took up residence here later and played Game Boys and quarter-eaters in their underwear.

Read more after the break, and be sure to take a spin through the huge gallery which shows off the more than 200 pieces in the show, and how crazy the whole scene became.
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Continue reading Joystiq goes to i am 8-bit

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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/

]]>8-bitartartworkComputer-JayDJ-R-Ratedgalleryi-am-8-bitLeeniNerdcoreold-schoolFri, 15 Aug 2008 15:30:00 ESTGettin' Siggy with it: Joystiq goes to SIGGRAPHhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/gettin-siggy-with-it-joystiq-goes-to-siggraph/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/gettin-siggy-with-it-joystiq-goes-to-siggraph/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/gettin-siggy-with-it-joystiq-goes-to-siggraph/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We headed into the wonderific CGI fray known as SIGGRAPH this year, and ultimately decided that we need to start checking this out more often. The technical conference just entered its 35th year, with the acronym being for Special Interest Group on GRAPHics and Interactive Techniques. While it's evolved into a pretty glorified job fair, they still show off new and impressive technology, have a large section focusing on papers relating to innovation in the field of computer graphics (like this year's "Simulating Knitted Cloth at the Yarn Level") and feature a fun Computer Animation Festival component filled with dozens of short CGI films in competition.

The only gaming companies we noticed in attendance were Activision, LucasArts, and THQ, which mostly offered "we want to hire you!" booths, but a lot of the tech behind games was being shown as well. NVIDIA was demoing "the world's first fully interactive GPU-based ray tracer," and the Mova Contour system was showing off their futuristic looking rig. Plus, it now seems like everyone and their uncle is creating 3D printers that pump out plastic models, but that doesn't mean we don't want one.

Read on after the break to find out more, explore the gallery below, and be sure to watch the video that got the biggest laughs, just ahead.
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Continue reading Gettin' Siggy with it: Joystiq goes to SIGGRAPH

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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/

]]>ActivisionAnimationComputer-AnimationComputer-GraphicsContourjob-fairLucasArtsMovaSIGGRAPHTHQThu, 14 Aug 2008 21:30:00 ESTGo skiing with Fergie in Celebrity Sports Showdownhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/go-skiing-with-fergie-in-celebrity-sports-showdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/go-skiing-with-fergie-in-celebrity-sports-showdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/go-skiing-with-fergie-in-celebrity-sports-showdown/#commentsFiled under: ,


And then kill yourself immediately, please. We suggest taking your copy of Celebrity Sports Showdown, EA Canada's zeitgeist fart and 12-sport minigame miasma, and wedging it vertically between a few issues of Teeny Bopper Monthly before leaping into it, face first, using the mound of self-pity you've buried yourself in over the years as a diving platform. Trust us, it'll be less damaging to your dignity than spending this holiday cruising over icy bumps with the mistress of lady lumps.

Don't worry, there's still time to turn your life around. Snap that elastic band on your wrist every time you reach out to a second-rate celebrity in a Wii sports video game, even one that promises a who's who and a who cares of popular culture. If you see an unnervingly rendered Keith Urban, Nelly Furtado or LeAnn Rimes beckoning you to enjoy inner-tubing, wild water canoeing, curling or anything involving "the ultimate party experience," turn the other way and flee.
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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/

]]>Celebrity-Sports-ShowdownEA-CanadaEA-SportsEA-Sports-FreestyleFergieWed, 13 Aug 2008 12:40:00 EST