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.comPS3 Rock Band PAX pack not workinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ps3-rock-band-pax-pack-not-working/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ps3-rock-band-pax-pack-not-working/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/ps3-rock-band-pax-pack-not-working/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Members of the Rock Band forums are reporting issues with this week's PAX DLC for PS3 owners. According to users, the pack just won't work. Apparently, the tracks are available in the game but get stuck on the loading screen.

We've sent requests to Harmonix and Sony to clarify what the problem is and when users can expect a fix. This would be the second time in recent memory that something has gone technically wrong with Rock Band's DLC.
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]]>psnrock-bandsonyFri, 05 Sep 2008 11:50:00 ESTPlay with Mercenaries 2 devs, 'catch' an Achievementhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/play-with-mercenaries-2-devs-catch-an-achievement/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/play-with-mercenaries-2-devs-catch-an-achievement/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/play-with-mercenaries-2-devs-catch-an-achievement/#commentsFiled under: , ,


One of the more ... interesting Achievements in the Xbox 360 version of Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is the 50-point "Everybody Wants Some," which is earned by playing online with one of the game's developers, or someone who's already played with them. Yep, it's contagious. Actually, it's sort of like the STD of Live Achievements, if you'll pardon the icky analogy.

We think it'd be pretty cool to hear the 360 "Achievement Unlocked" sound in real life every time we came down with a cold or other ailment. Hear that Microsoft? Get on it - after all, you were all about "Live Anywhere." Mercs 2's devs will be playing September 5 through 12 using special easy-to-grok Gamertags, which we've listed after the break. Now, go forth and expose yourself to viral goodness.

Continue reading Play with Mercenaries 2 devs, 'catch' an Achievement

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]]>achievementseamercenaries-2pandemicxbox-liveThu, 04 Sep 2008 22:30:00 ESTJoystiq hands-on: Combat Armshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We recently had the chance to check out Combat Arms, the free-to-play online FPS brought to US shores by Nexon of America. Nexon is best known in the states for its unique side-scrolling MMORPG Maple Story. Despite the company's grounding in the MMO genre, Nexon chooses to see itself as a purveyor of online games in general. From online racing in Kart Rider to virtual karaoke in Audition, the company publishes or develops a multitude of multiplayer experiences. Its extension to first-person shooters, in that light, makes a great deal of sense.

What's surprising is not that Nexon has chosen to jump into the FPS genre, but that the offering is as good as it is. The company has combined elements of mindless combat shooters like XIII with the multiplayer tactical orientation of a game like Counter-Strike. In doing so, it's delivered a title that can be as explosion- or strategy-focused as players want. And, of course, it wouldn't be Nexon without some unique twists -- namely, the incorporation of its successful microtransaction-based business model.
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Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Combat Arms

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]]>combat-armshands-onherb-yangmin-kimnexonThu, 04 Sep 2008 21:00:00 ESTJoystiq hands-on: Combat Arms (Page 2)http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms-page-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms-page-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/joystiq-hands-on-combat-arms-page-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Combat Arms employs a clearly visible player ranking system in order to tie together rank rewards, the in-game currency, and the socialization aspects.

Kim and Yang noted that this balance between purchased items and off-the-rack choices didn't exist in the original Korean version of the game. As previously mentioned, the Korean gamers were looking for a more "arcade-y" experience. Grenades had flares to make them easier to track, mines had blinking lights, and every purchased item was a pure win for the player -- why not buy in that environment. As Kim put it, "American players have a definite concept of what is fair and what isn't," and they were determined to cater to that.

Yang noted that the despite changes from the Korean version, Combat Arms retains the "jump-in-and-out" gameplay that made this take on the genre so popular there. Nexon believes Americans will respond (and are responding) to this vision of what an FPS could be, based primarily on the "feel" of the game. As an example, Min Kim noted the simple feature that you can run in the game:

"If you press the shift button you actually run. That is not an option in a lot of other FPSs so it feels a lot faster and a lot of people like that. It's one of those things that is not easy to market; you can't say: 'hey you press the shift button you go really fast' on the back of a box. They don't know what that means until they start playing it."



After talking through the game as a concept, we sat down to play a few rounds -- dying numerous times to both Kim and Yang as they schooled us on the game's public servers. (Protip: Anyone interested in jumping into the game can already do so. Nexon has had an amazingly positive reaction, and had to increase their server capacity unexpectedly fast to deal with demand.)

During our back-and-forth matches, Yang stated that Nexon's planning to update the game on a regular basis. The company has been regularly releasing a patch to the game every two weeks since the game's beta began. Every update will add new weaponry, while a new map or game type will be added every month or two.

That endless state of updates driven by player demand will likely never stop for the game, and neither will the game's "test" state. After the interview, we spoke with Nexon representative Robert Holtzman to clarify when the game would be going with a hard launch. He laughed, and noted that the game might never get one -- given the title's popularity already, Nexon plans to continue to expand through word of mouth advertising and constant improvements.

Overall, we walked away from Combat Arms very impressed. Given the game's region of origin and the stigma of a free-to-play titles, Nexon's offering is a surprisingly fun and impressively attractive offering. It's a fast-action title that will please the twitch-happy mindless shooter fan just as easily as one looking for a more tactical approach. On top of it all, it deftly ties online clan gaming and Web 2.0 sensibilities together with ranks, formal groups, and eventually social networking plugins.

Given the unique blend of MMO and FPS in Combat Arms' DNA, it was intriguing and enlightening to see what the game has become. And it's always hard to turn down the offer of free.

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]]>combat-armshands-onherb-yangmin-kimnexonThu, 04 Sep 2008 21:00:00 ESTCall of Duty: World at War beta hits 360, PC in Octoberhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/call-of-duty-world-at-war-beta-hits-360-pc-in-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/call-of-duty-world-at-war-beta-hits-360-pc-in-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/call-of-duty-world-at-war-beta-hits-360-pc-in-october/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In what has to be the most totally original pre-order bonus ever, Activision is going to let anyone who "reserves" Call of Duty: World at War into a multiplayer beta planned for sometime in October. Oh, that's everyone except PS3 owners. The beta will be available only on Xbox 360 and PC, giving lucky paying entrants a chance to try out the game's new perks and squad system.

In "no purchase necessary" style, those not feeling the pre-order itch can try their luck by registering for a beta token lottery on the official Call of Duty site - that is if they can navigate through the Web 2.0 minefield of way too much stuff on the page.
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]]>activisionbetabreakingnewscall-of-dutycall-of-duty-world-at-warpre-ordertreyarchThu, 04 Sep 2008 14:30:00 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 ESTLittleBigPlanet's Nariko Sackgirl is Best Buy exclusivehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/littlebigplanet-nariko-sackgirl-is-best-buy-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/littlebigplanet-nariko-sackgirl-is-best-buy-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/littlebigplanet-nariko-sackgirl-is-best-buy-exclusive/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sony previously announced several planned pre-order bonuses for LittleBigPlanet, including custom downloadable "Sackboy" versions of God of War's Kratos and Heavenly Sword's Nariko. While the Ghost of Sparta went to GameStop, the official LBP blog has revealed that pre-ordering the game at Best Buy will land you a download voucher code for Nariko.

Both characters are über-spiffy, but, if you want both, you'll have to pre-order the game twice. No one's preventing you from avoiding it at one of the two stores when it's released, though. Oh no, certainly not us. Of course, you could always wait a bit for the characters to be made available for paid download via the PlayStation Store, something we're sure Sony would never think of doing, not in a million billion years.
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]]>dlcheavenly-swordlittlebigplanetmedia-moleculenarikopre-orderpre-order-bonusWed, 03 Sep 2008 16:30:00 ESTPAX 2008 hands-on: Spore, have we seen enough already?http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/pax-2008-hands-on-spore-have-we-seen-enough-already/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/pax-2008-hands-on-spore-have-we-seen-enough-already/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/pax-2008-hands-on-spore-have-we-seen-enough-already/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The last stop on our Electronic Arts booth tour at PAX was dedicated to Spore. That's right, it's more Spore news. It's not a real day on Joystiq unless you get some minor Spore news, or a definitive hands-on experience. With the game actually coming out (can it be?!) in five days, maybe you'll start to see these die down a bit. Unless, of course, there's a secret Hot Coffee level that we find during our explorations.

But is the game coming out a bit too late, or just in time? It feels like it's starting to wear out its welcome just a bit. Like that house guest that just won't leave, is Spore in danger of becoming a bore? German gamer mags have already given the game fairly disappointing scores, and in all honesty, we were ready to leave our demo early, even though we went hands-on with the whole thing. Find out why after the break.
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Continue reading PAX 2008 hands-on: Spore, have we seen enough already?

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]]>Electronic-ArtsPAXPAX-08PAX-2008PAX2008SporeWill-WrightTue, 02 Sep 2008 23:30:00 ESTCheck your email: Home beta invites senthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/check-your-email-home-beta-invites-sent/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/check-your-email-home-beta-invites-sent/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/check-your-email-home-beta-invites-sent/#commentsFiled under: ,


You may have downloaded the PlayStation Home theme from the PSN Store thinking, "How can this possibly work? How will I know I've ... won?" The answer to that question arrived today for the Selected Ones, the latest batch of Home beta recruits who were informed via email that they'd won out over the presumably thousands of others who'd downloaded the theme. That's right: Sony knows where you live your email address.

Sony isn't saying how many invites are going out, but has confirmed that it's happening in waves over the next 24 hours, so keep checking your email if you haven't received one yet - you might still get lucky. We're told by Sony that another "beta wave" will hit in the next few weeks, so look for more news on that as we get it. Did you land an invite? Lets us know in comments, and have fun Home-ing.
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]]>betahomeplaystation-homepsnsonyTue, 02 Sep 2008 21:30:00 ESTThe best of WoW Insider: August 26 - September 1, 2008http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/the-best-of-wow-insider-august-26-september-1-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/the-best-of-wow-insider-august-26-september-1-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/the-best-of-wow-insider-august-26-september-1-2008/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Of course, if you know Blizzard at all, you know it doesn't really like the whole concept of "release dates" -- the developers prefer to say they'll release the next WoW expansion "when it's ready." But a bunch of retailers have recently pointed their noses at November 4th (with a November 3rd midnight release, so says the sign from an Australian store above), and if that turns out to be true, it's gonna be a busy Election Day. That story and more, all in these highlights from the last week of WoW Insider.

News

Features


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]]>blizzarddeath-knightelection-dayjoystiqfeaturesmachinimammonorthrendonlinerecruit-a-friendrelease-datewarcraftweekly-recapweeklyrecapworld-of-warcraftwrath-of-the-lich-kingTue, 02 Sep 2008 18:45:00 ESTSOCOM beta confronted by delayhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/socom-beta-confronted-by-delay/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/socom-beta-confronted-by-delay/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/socom-beta-confronted-by-delay/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Over at the official PlayStation Blog, SOCOM: Confrontation producer Seth Luisi has confirmed a massive or slight delay (depending on your level of SOCOM infatuation) for the game's public beta. Originally slated to begin yesterday, the virtual doors will instead open this Friday, September 5. (QORE subscribers will be let in the following Friday, September 12.)

Luisi says the delay was prompted by the team "working so hard to ensure the final product is fantastic," which we believe is Ye Olde Spinne for "we found a bug." Thankfully (and thoughtfully) the beta's run won't be cut short by the delay; it will last a full month, from 9/5 to 10/5. (Make that three weeks for QORE readers viewers.)
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]]>betadelaypsnslant-sixsocomsocom-confrontationTue, 02 Sep 2008 15:30:00 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 ESTPSP Wi-Fi Store to launch in fall, PS3 Infrastructure mode announcedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/psp-wi-fi-store-to-launch-in-fall-ps3-infrastructure-mode-annou/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/psp-wi-fi-store-to-launch-in-fall-ps3-infrastructure-mode-annou/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/psp-wi-fi-store-to-launch-in-fall-ps3-infrastructure-mode-annou/#commentsFiled under: ,

ps store
Someone at Sony is trying way too hard. Can you believe an ambitious young stooge has dared to decipher the mysterious toggle on the left side of the PSP? And wouldn't you know, the thing's a Wi-Fi switch! Now all hell's broken loose at Sony HQ, as the discovery has ushered in a new era of brite possibilities for the handheld. Imagine: shopping for themes and wallpaper directly from your PSP. It's true folks, PlayStation Store is coming to PSP sans hand holding (so long PS3, so long PC!) this fall in Japan -- probably worldwide, PSP Fanboy speculates. And there's a free game in it for anyone smart enough to flick the "on" switch.

But that's not all. Sony has announced (and pictured) a new Infrastructure mode, enabled by connecting PSP to Playstation 3 ... wirelessly. In essence, ad-hoc multiplayer modes will become online-enabled through a PS3 connection for some games (like Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G). In addition, text and voice chatting capabilities can be added through the new online mode. Add to this the rumor of PS3 gamepad support for PSP Brite, and Sony might as well slap a UMD drive on the next PS3 SKU.

[Via PSP Fanboy]
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]]>ad-hocinfrastructureplaystation-storeps-storepsp-storewi-fiTue, 02 Sep 2008 13:57:00 ESTPAX 2008 hands-on: Need for Speed Undercover, rollcage editionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax-2008-hands-on-need-for-speed-undercover-rollcage-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax-2008-hands-on-need-for-speed-undercover-rollcage-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax-2008-hands-on-need-for-speed-undercover-rollcage-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


From the depths of the M.C. Escher nightmare of Dead Space we slid into the sweet embrace of a high-octane car. Need for Speed: Undercover knew that it needed to impress people with something besides picture-pretty cars racing along at high speed through city streets, so it wrapped itself inside a glorious steel gaming cage. A gaming cage that looked like something they'd use to teach driver's ed out of in the future. Find out all about this must-have, but can't-buy gaming accessory after the break.
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Continue reading PAX 2008 hands-on: Need for Speed Undercover, rollcage edition

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]]>EAElectronic-Artsgaming-cageMaggie-QNeed-For-SpeedPAXPAX-08PAX-2008PAX2008UndercoverMon, 01 Sep 2008 04:30:00 ESTPAX 2008: Halo Mythic ain't mythical, it's here... sort ofhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-halo-mythic-aint-mythical-its-here-sort-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-halo-mythic-aint-mythical-its-here-sort-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-halo-mythic-aint-mythical-its-here-sort-of/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Is this what Microsoft was not so quietly sweeping under the carpet when they nixed the Bungie announcement during their E3 keynote? We have no clue as of yet, and all we can get out of Bungie is a "we can't talk about it." We're going to try and batter down Bungie's doors today to get more info.

So far, here's what we know. The menu screen says System Version 1.2, when the Halo 3 retail version is only at 1.1, and there's only a multiplayer option, no campaign. What does it all mean? We caught up with Bungie's Brian Jarrard who told us the screen was from a build that they brought on Friday that "wasn't really meant to be seen. However, it's really not that exciting, it's gotten kind of blown out of proportion."

While the shakey-cam photo above from Addict Gaming might be the only visual evidence of Mythic, it's definitely coming. At some point. Bungie wasn't forthcoming with details, but we'll see what we can find out.

[Thanks, Robert]
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]]>Brian-JarrardBungieHaloHalo-3MythicPAXPAX-08PAX-2008PAX08Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:00:00 ESTBigCast PAX special goes crazy with Warhammer Online devshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/bigcast-pax-special-goes-crazy-with-warhammer-online-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/bigcast-pax-special-goes-crazy-with-warhammer-online-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/bigcast-pax-special-goes-crazy-with-warhammer-online-devs/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

While discussion on Warhammer Online is conspicuously lacking, Mythic Entertainment designer Paul Barnett and producers Jeff Hickman and Josh Drescher managed to to venture into some strange, hilarious and very NSFW territory on BigDownload's BigCast PAX special. Listen to the podcast (again, it's NSFW) here.
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]]>bigdownloadpaxpax-08pax-2008penny-arcade-expoSat, 30 Aug 2008 08:00:00 ESTYou choose Battlefield Bad Company Conquest mapshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/you-choose-battlefield-bad-company-conquest-maps/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/you-choose-battlefield-bad-company-conquest-maps/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/you-choose-battlefield-bad-company-conquest-maps/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Already registered via Xbox Live to vote in November's general election? Here's a different vote to rock: EA is letting players have a say in which two existing Battlefield: Bad Company multiplayer maps will be tweaked to become Conquest battlegrounds when the free Conquest Map Pack deploys this fall.

The six maps are up for vote at EA's Bad Company site, and include Acta Non Verba, Crossing Over, Par for the Course, Ghost Town, Welcome to Bad Company, and Crash and Grab. Developer DICE will pick the two top vote-getters on September 2. The golf course themed Par for the Course is currently way out in front, but, hey, you might change that. DICE is working on two more Conquest maps to join the fan favorites.

By the way, we've checked, and your vote really will count. You know, unlike a certain Spider-Man: Web of Shadows poll Activision conducted last month.
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]]>battlefield-bad-companydicedlceavotingSat, 30 Aug 2008 01:00:00 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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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 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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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/

]]>eageneticshow-to-build-a-better-beingmaxisnational-geographicnational-geographic-channelsciencescience-of-sporesporespore-creature-creatorwill-wrightFri, 29 Aug 2008 08:00:00 ESTPlayStation Home beta extends to Asia this Fallhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/playstation-home-beta-extends-to-asia-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/playstation-home-beta-extends-to-asia-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/playstation-home-beta-extends-to-asia-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: ,


Those looking to help iron out the kinks in Sony's silicon-powered social gathering space, PlayStation Home, can now add Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan as valid entry locations for the program's closed beta. Sony's Hong Kong site (via Edge) is already asking readers to check back on August 29th for information on the test, which is expected to begin in mid-September.

Edge also notes that an open beta will commence this Fall, coinciding with similar events in Europe and the US. The more the merrier we say ... even if everybody in the virtual room is just whining about how a plain ol' menu would suffice.
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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/

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