Joystiq

Dragon Age: Origins special edition offers Mass Effect 2 freebies

JC Fletcher — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST

The Dragon Age: Origins special edition, newly revealed on GameStop.com, includes a pile of stuff, both real and virtual. For your $74.99 (or $64.99, if you're PC-style), you'll receive a tin case (of course); a bonus DVD with a documentary, music, video, and wallpapers; a cloth map (which is a totally old-school bonus), in-game quests and characters, and even an exclusive in-game item in Mass Effect 2.

If you buy the thing from GameStop, you get even more in-game junk: a Feral Wolf Charm, that increases health regeneration, and a Memory Ring, which boosts experience accumulation. The best part of all these virtual goodies? They don't require head-shaped stands.

[Via Destructoid]

Dragon Age: Origins special edition offers Mass Effect 2 freebies originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EndWar dev excited about Natal's RTS possibilities

Xav de Matos — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:45:00 EST

Speaking with VG247 at the Develop Conference in Brighton, UK, EndWar development boss Michael de Plater said that he thinks Microsoft's Project Natal could reinvigorate the console (and PC?) RTS market. Comparing Natal's potential "power" and "precision" to menu scrolling in the film Minority Report, Plater anticipates Natal's combination of voice and gesture control to potentially be "really powerful and immersive."

At E3 2009, Ubisoft showcased the upcoming RTS RUSE on Microsoft's touch-screen-enhanced Surface table. While Plater knows the $12,000 home furnishing isn't going to be a regular household accessory, Project Natal has the potential to work with software in a similar fashion. "If the technology works -- so you could translate the interface they've already got working really well on RUSE into Natal -- it could work very, very well."

Hopefully Microsoft will reveal when Natal is hitting stores and what the device's final price will be soon and Joystiq won't have to put so much money into developing its own set of drug-addicted "precogs."

EndWar dev excited about Natal's RTS possibilities originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remedy: Alan Wake PC decision is in Microsoft's court

Randy Nelson — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST

The official Alan Wake fan site, Brightfalls.net, has received word from developer Remedy that the decision whether or not to produce a PC version of the game is entirely in the hands of its publisher, Microsoft. "Remedy has a deep heritage in PC gaming and would love to see a PC version available to its PC followers," the statement reads. "Ultimately however this decision lies with our publisher."

Still, Remedy seems to expect Microsoft to eventually free up the game from 360-exclusivity, as it says that, "PC plans are currently open," but "it's safe to say that at least a simultaneous launch with the Xbox version will not happen at this late stage." Perhaps these are the comments on the PC version's outlook Remedy had promised us earlier this month.

Remedy: Alan Wake PC decision is in Microsoft's court originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sidhe will 'consider other platforms' for Shatter

Jem Alexander — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST

Sidhe's upcoming PSN Arkanoid-clone-with-a-twist, Shatter, could eventually find its way to other platforms. Speaking to 1Up Gamers, Sidhe's Mario Wynands states that "right now Shatter has been approved for PSN and the company will consider other platforms in the future, but that's the main focus for now." if it does jump over to WiiWare or XBLA, then it doesn't look like it'll be doing so any time soon.

Wynands also notes that Sidhe is currently working on five projects, including Shatter. One game, Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 for Wii, has already been announced. Three more titles -- one for PSP, another for Wii and a multiplatform project -- are yet to be revealed. These games should all be unveiled by the end of July. With Shatter hitting the PSN on July 23 too, this is looking to be a busy month for Sidhe.

Sidhe will 'consider other platforms' for Shatter originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lost Planet 2 playable, giant salamander plushies winnable at Comic-Con

Randy Nelson — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST

Capcom is bringing playable Lost Planet 2 to San Diego Comic-Con. According to a post on Capcom Unity, the demo will allow four players to team up and (attempt to) take down one of the game's bosses, a giant salamander. Hey, that sounds like the same demo we played at E3!

Thing is, we didn't get the chance to win a much cuter, giant plush version of the beast after slaying it. Comic-Con attendees will get one, though, by way of a raffle, the tickets to which will be handed out to everyone who plays the game. Up for grabs are an unknown number of 18" and 3-foot long cute-ifications of the boss monster. Capcom is also giving away one of the 3-footers via its blog for those who can't attend the big show. Details on that are in the original post.

Lost Planet 2 playable, giant salamander plushies winnable at Comic-Con originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Realtime Worlds explains shift to MMOs, says online market is 'untapped'

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST

(click to MMO-size)

Crackdown developer Realtime Worlds -- currently working on upcoming MMO All Points Bulletin -- is pretty excited about cashing in on the online market. During his keynote at the Develop conference this week, RTW exec David Jones explained his company's shift to MMO development as one with the intention of heading where "the big dollars are."

"Online ... is very, very much untapped -- it's kind of like winding the clock back 10 or 15 years," he said during the speech. Jones apparently cited Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 as examples of games where players "invest hours" in the single-player campaign but "ten times that online" -- but isn't your game PC-only, Mr. Jones? We're not so sure, considering Jones' repeated references to "next-gen technology" throughout the keynote, 100-person servers for online play, and the recent EA partnership announcement -- though we'd be a lot more inclined to believe it if even a single MMO existed on current-gen consoles in any real capacity. When we asked RTW for comment on the possibility of APB coming to consoles, a representative told us, "There's no update on that front." Hey, we tried, right?

Realtime Worlds explains shift to MMOs, says online market is 'untapped' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cryptic's Jack Emmert cryptically hints at Nemesis Online

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:30:00 EST

Here's a fun logic puzzle for those of you who are about to suffer the slings and arrows of SAT/ACT testing: City of Heroes is to City of Villains as Champions Online is to -- well, we don't know what it would be called, but considering Champions allows you to create your heroes' own personal arch-villain, its potential existence just makes sense, doesn't it?

That was the question posited to Cryptic's Jack Emmert by G4 in a recent interview, which Emmert responded to by saying "Nemesis Online" was a definite possibility, provided that "Champions is successful and people want that." With the game still a few months out, we know we're putting the cart before the horse by asking, but hey -- do you people want that?

Cryptic's Jack Emmert cryptically hints at Nemesis Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: BlazBlue (Xbox 360/PS3)

David Hinkle — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

BlazBlue is a game that's going to immediately feel right for hardcore fighting fans. If you've cut your teeth on Arc System Works' Guilty Gear franchise in the past, or enjoyed some of the more intense Capcom offerings in the 2D fighter genre, then the principles and mechanics of BlazBlue are going to feel natural to you.

[Note: If you're not one for battling through long paragraphs of words, try our casual setting, which features a much easier opponent: a video synopsis.]

Continue reading Review: BlazBlue (Xbox 360/PS3)

Review: BlazBlue (Xbox 360/PS3) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Play-Asia reveals new Mad Catz FightSticks

JC Fletcher — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:35:00 EST

The FightSticks released by Mad Catz alongside Street Fighter IV were surprising, to say the least, for Mad Catz products: despite some early technical issues, the Tournament Edition FightStick for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 is by far the highest-quality arcade stick available in North America. The only problem, of course, is that they aren't always available. The sticks were produced in extremely limited numbers and initial shipments sold out quickly.

We're very happy, then, to see new Tournament Edition FightSticks for PS3 and Xbox available for pre-order on import retailer Play-Asia. These sticks don't have any Street Fighter IV artwork, but otherwise they look identical -- and adding your own artwork isn't that complicated. According to Play-Asia, the sticks will be available Q4 for $149.90.

[Thanks, John Doe!]

Play-Asia reveals new Mad Catz FightSticks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Darkest of Days saves history at retail on Sept. 8

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:05:00 EST

Trying to move beyond PC casino games, publisher Phantom EFX is ready to release the Darkest of Days on September 8 for PC and Xbox 360. The FPS follows a time traveler who must save certain soldiers in wars because "history needs them." You know, it's the anti-Terminator.

The game is being developed by 8monkey Labs out of Cedar Falls, Iowa. That's not really important, but we so rarely get to write about devs from Iowa that it felt like it needed to be said. Some videos of the game can be found on the Darkest of Days website. Sadly, nobody says, "Come with me, if you want to live," in any of them.

Darkest of Days saves history at retail on Sept. 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FIFA 10 hits the pitch October 2 in the UK

David Hinkle — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:35:00 EST

MCV confirmed with EA that its latest entry in the long-standing soccer franchise, FIFA 10, will arrive at UK retailers on October 2. There's no mention of a release date for North America, so we've put in word to EA to see just when we Yanks will receive the game. We'll be sure to update you as soon as we hear back.

FIFA 10 hits the pitch October 2 in the UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Economist: EA overcharged Madden buyers up to $926 million

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:05:00 EST

Most sports game fans are none too happy about EA's monopolization of the NFL -- but only because of the limited choice of official football games they're afforded. A little over a month ago, two game enthusiasts, Geoffrey Pecover and Jeffrey Lawrence, filed a class-action suit against EA -- not due to the loss of fun that resulted following the eradication of the competing NFL 2K franchise, but rather, due to the loss of funds.

The two men called University of Michigan economics professor Dr. Jeffrey MacKie-Mason (for those keeping count, that's three Jeffs in this story so far) as a witness in the case. His findings, which he admits are based on incomplete data, are shocking -- he claims that with no direct competitor, EA was able to raise the price on the Madden series. By his estimate, EA effectively overcharged the game's purchasers between $701 million and $926 million from 2006 to 2009.

Wedbush analyst and Joystiq celebrity Michael Pachter responded to the estimate with vitriol, claiming that the professor had based his claims on faulty figures -- for instance, EA only made about $800 million off the Madden franchise during that period, and the series' average price only increased by a few cents after the NFL 2K series bit the dust. Thanks for the clarification, Pachy -- but we could have guessed the estimates were bunko. A billion dollars is a difficult thing to take from a group with such a keen eye for acts of corporate Ledgermain.

Economist: EA overcharged Madden buyers up to $926 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil 4 coming to iPhone in July

Justin McElroy — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:35:00 EST

We know, we were shocked too! Well, maybe not shocked, considering that Resident Evil 4 popped up on the Japanese App Store before it was pulled right down. The game will return (legitimately this time) to Japan by month's end.

If you're nowhere near the Land of the Rising Sun, fear not! Capcom says the game will roll out to the rest of the world soon after.

Resident Evil 4 coming to iPhone in July originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Famitsu hands Dragon Quest IX a 40

JC Fletcher — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:25:00 EST

Famitsu has given Dragon Quest IX a perfect 40/40 score in its review. According to Kotaku, the reviewers lauded DQIX's "ground breaking" multiplayer and its music, and called the storyline "easy to follow and straightforward, but also with moving scenes as well."

While it's kind of a running joke that Famitsu basically rubber-stamps effusive reviews for Square Enix titles, we were surprised to discover that this game is actually the first Dragon Quest to receive a perfect 40, and is one of only ten 40 scores awarded. Of course, Dragon Quests III, VII, and VIII weren't far off with their 39 ratings.

Kotaku also notes that the Amazon Japan reviews tend ... not to be as positive, though they apparently center around complaints about the Sandy character, an annoying ganguro fairy who has already inspired a "Die Sandy " Flash game.

Famitsu hands Dragon Quest IX a 40 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PopCap announces Bookworm Adventures 2

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:55:00 EST

There's a ton of good lookin' games coming out this fall, though few offerings seem as though they'll help beef up our vocabulary while indulging our base desire for molasses-slow turn-based combat. Yes, we realize that's a rather specific niche -- but it's one that will be filled quite nicely by PopCap's Bookworm Adventures 2, which will be released on July 30 for $19.99 on the casual game developer's official site.

If you never experienced the Boggle meets Final Fantasy action of the original Bookworm Adventures, PopCap has a free trial available. Just don't blame us when your friends start complaining about your new proclivity for dropping six-dollar words.

PopCap announces Bookworm Adventures 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Become a Shirt Zombie with this Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles shirt

JC Fletcher — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:25:00 EST

The promotional Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles shirts Capcom printed up for Comic-Con (which takes place from July 23-26) have their own dark side: specifically, the inside. The shirts look nice enough when worn normally: a "let your darkside out" slogan adorns the front amid zombie silhouettes, and the game's logo occupies the back.

But the inside of each shirt has a special graphic printed upside-down, so that when you flip the shirt over your head, you become a zombie. This is the most amazing advance in swag technology we've seen in years. If you want one (and you do, because wow), you'll have to visit Capcom's special Darkside Chronicles demo area at Comic-Con and try out the co-op mode.

Gallery: Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii)

Become a Shirt Zombie with this Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles shirt originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dave Perry talks Gaikai: 'Gamestop already hate me'

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:25:00 EST

Speaking at the Develop conference currently taking place in the UK, Gaikai's Dave Perry told Edge that the folks at video game retailer GameStop "already hate" him. "I've made so much money from their store [GameStop], so I can't be mean to them about that," he apologetically added, though he said he believes the industry is being pushed to digital distribution by GameStop's used game business model.

"I can be mean about their [GameStop's] used game policy, because they're pushing the industry to digital distribution perhaps faster than it would have gone," he responded, when asked how retail is reacting to his dark magic-powered Gaikai service. He doesn't necessarily see brick-and-mortar retail as his company's biggest hurdle though, saying, unsurprisingly, it's the ~~smoke~~ money. "We need to find a strategic partner who will add value ... somebody that wants to invest and can actually add something ... we want to find somebody who will really move the needle." Wait a minute -- Gaikai involves needles? Forget it!

Dave Perry talks Gaikai: 'Gamestop already hate me' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Invincible Tiger coming in August to XBLA, PSN

Justin McElroy — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:53:00 EST

When we first discussed kung-fu action game Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao, we were so unnerved by the lack of any actual, on-screen tigers that we couldn't bring ourselves to report much actual info about it. Now, we've got some more details courtesy of Eurogamer, including a price (1200 MS points/$15) and a release window (sometime this August).

If you're having trouble placing Invincible Tiger, you might remember it's presented in stereoscopic 3D, if you've got a TV that works with that sort of thing ... which you probably don't. Trust us.

Gallery: Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao

Invincible Tiger coming in August to XBLA, PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bill Gates reckons Natal should head to PC too

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST

Microsoft's Bill Gates has pretty much confirmed that Xbox's Project Natal tech is heading to PC. In an interview with CNET, the Windows man said the peripheral is not just for games, but for "media consumption as a whole." He states that both the Xbox and Windows divisions have latched on to the technology.

Beyond the home media applications, Gates also mentions using it in the office. He doesn't say Office use, but lower case "office." Looks like the era of Minorty Report is upon us. Now all we need are three people who look like shaved cats to lie in tubs of goo all day and we'll be set for the future.

[Via Big Download]

Bill Gates reckons Natal should head to PC too originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan's PlayStation Network offering PC Engine games

JC Fletcher — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:30:00 EST

The Japanese PlayStation Store features a ridiculously huge selection of old PlayStation games, especially compared to the paltry selection on the American store. Now, it's getting old games that weren't even on the PlayStation, in what appears to be a tentative step toward a Sony Virtual Console.

Sony announced that four PC Engine (Turbografx-16) games will be available on the Store today: Bomberman '94, New Adventure Island, Sengoku Mahjong, and Devil's Crush, each for 600 yen, roughly the same price these games command on the Wii's Virtual Console.

The PC Engine Game Archives will be playable on PSP and PS3, which means we'll be able to take Devil's Crush on the go for the first time since the TurboExpress -- thus elevating the PSP to the best system since the TurboExpress.

Japan's PlayStation Network offering PC Engine games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-order Alpha Protocol for in-game bonus packs

Jem Alexander — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:30:00 EST

Are you planning on pre-ordering The Espionage RPG? It may not be at the top of your list, but after hearing about the pre-order bonuses ... well, that probably won't change. Still, if you're planning on picking up the game anyway, they're worth placing an order for. Alpha Protocol will be offering pre-orderers two different in-game packs, depending on where you decide to make your purchase.

The Assault Pack, available from GameStop, unlocks a bunch of the more beefy weapons in the game, as well as giving access to two "exclusive specially modified weapons and extras." The Stealth Pack, available from GameCrazy, is very similar, but is more skewed towards quietly picking off enemies with tranqs and suppressors. Check out the Sega blog for full details.

Pre-order Alpha Protocol for in-game bonus packs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bioshock cosplay melts our heart, drains our ADAM

David Hinkle — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EST

Flickr user deficientatlife has some great shots of a cosplaying duo, featuring the Big Daddy and Little Sister from Bioshock you see above. The photostream even includes some step-by-step photos of how it all came together. Turns out, work is involved. We thought they just cut off your hand, put a big drill on it, and sent you on your way. Shows how much we know!

[Thanks, John!]

Bioshock cosplay melts our heart, drains our ADAM originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cheech and Chong trip on Tron

Kevin Kelly — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:30:00 EST

Microsoft and MEAN Magazine premiered Cinemash last week, where Hollywood stars appear in seven short film reinterpretations of classic movies. The first episode featured Zoey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Sid and Nancy, and this week is Cheech and Chong in Tron, complete with some mind-bending graphics. It's probably the closest we'll ever get to an actual Cheech and Chong video game.

In a nutshell, they get baked, debate how the economy has affected the price of dime bags, and then race around on lightcycles in a Tron-off to see who wins the argument. There's definitely a lot of cue card inspired line delivery up front, but some of those graphics are brain melting enough to make you feel like you're tripping yourself. You can watch the video just beyond the break, or via the Zune Marketplace. With any luck, these will be available on Xbox Live later in the year.

Continue reading Cheech and Chong trip on Tron

Cheech and Chong trip on Tron originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stop the presses: Witcher Director's Cut adds nudity

Xav de Matos — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EST

CD Projekt's role-playing game The Witcher is getting another update, adding to the content found in the 2008 Enhanced Edition release. Owners of The Witcher: Enhanced Edition will be able to upgrade to the game's Director's Cut free-of-charge via patch. The newest version of the game will also be available for purchase on TheWitcher.com, Impulse, Steam and Direct2Drive.

Along with adding updates found in the recent 1.5 patch -- which removed The Witcher's DRM and added new community-created content -- the Director's Cut will restore nudity previously removed from the North American release of the (overly buxom) Enhanced Edition. If staring at digital lady and man bits from an engine that got its original start in 2002 is your thing, The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut is the definitive edition you seek.

Stop the presses: Witcher Director's Cut adds nudity originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tour de France 2009: The Official Game pedals onto Xbox Live

Kevin Kelly — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:20:00 EST

Forget about watching the seemingly infinite amount of stages roll by as Lance Armstrong attempts to win his eighth yellow jersey in the world's most famous bicycle race. Do it yourself! And by yourself we mean using nothing more than your fingers and thumbs when Tour de France 2009: The Official Game comes to Xbox Live today for 800 ($10) . Who needs all that real legwork anyhow?

Cyanide Studios, the brains behind the recent Blood Bowl and the popular-in-some-other-country Cycling Manager series must have been quietly working on this in their spare time, because it caught all of us off-guard, including Xbox Live's Major Nelson. But why not release this game just before the actual Tour de France, instead of smack dab in the middle of it? We may never know.

You can play two players locally, and race up to four simultaneously on Xbox Live using one of the official teams in the current race. We just wish they would have included a drug testing minigame or something -- you know, to add some realism. Catch all the pedal-pumping power in the preview trailer right here.

Tour de France 2009: The Official Game pedals onto Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valkyria Chronicles 2 in development for PSP

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:10:00 EST

Sega's critically praised Valkyria Chronicles is getting a second chance -- this time reborn as a PSP game. The innovative SRPG combined real-time third person shooting with turn-based tactical strategy, and presented everything in a gorgeous cel-shaded package. The sequel looks to do more of the same, as revealed in the latest issue of Famitsu. Scans show the return of the original's behind-the-back viewpoint and introduce characters new to the handheld iteration.

At E3 2008, Sony mistakenly showcased Valkyria Chronicles in a PSP highlight reel -- but that visual might've inspired Sega's Valkyria team. Regardless of the platform, we're glad to see Sega isn't giving up on the franchise. Let's hope that this time around, you gamers will actually buy the game.

[Thanks, Marius!]

Valkyria Chronicles 2 in development for PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Best Thing You'll See Today: The Post-it Note shooter

Justin McElroy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:59:00 EST

It's been a long time since we busted out TBTYST, but we think this qualifies. Petri Purho -- you know, he made Crayon Physics Deluxe -- crafted a low-res (in fact, it's 32 x 24) shooter that pits a ship against invading aliens. Oh, and he made the entire thing out of Post-it Notes.

Download Post I.T. Shooter right now and see for yourself, and then feel free to wonder why anyone ever makes a sequel in a world as rife with possibility as ours.

[Via Robert Ashley]

Continue reading The Best Thing You'll See Today: The Post-it Note shooter

The Best Thing You'll See Today: The Post-it Note shooter originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo to transform Times Square into real-life Wii Sports Resort

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST

We know, friends -- you've been waiting patiently for months for Nintendo to announce plans to turn Times Square into Wii Sports Resort's Wuhu Island. Today -- finally! -- Nintendo did just that, revealing its intentions to convert Military Island in New York City's Times Square into a replica of the game's imaginary setting, featuring "a sandy beach, swimming pool and tropical lounge." To attend, all you have to do is show up at NYC's Times Square between 9AM and 3PM next Thursday, July 23 -- you'll even nab a (presumably free) "tropical non-alcoholic drink."

Oh, but what about actually playing the game, you ask? You'll have plenty of opportunity afforded you, given the "experts in various sports going head-to-head with fans" during the event. Make sure to tighten that Wiimote wrist strap so as not to "accidentally" chuck it at any of the cars passing by -- the urge to ragequit after getting schooled by someone's mom can be rather strong ... we hear.

[Image]

Gallery: Wii Sports Resort

Nintendo to transform Times Square into real-life Wii Sports Resort originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shock treatment for gaming addicts halted in China

Justin McElroy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:00:00 EST

In a step widely regarded by Joystiq staffers planning on traveling to China someday as "the right call," the Chinese government has halted the use of electroshock therapy to treat video game addicts. The order came down yesterday to a clinic in Linyi, Shandong province from the country's Ministry of Health, according to China Daily.

While we assume the practice was halted because of ... you know, the obvious, we'd like to believe that the treatment was stopped because it was just making the patients even more addicted to the Addams Family Electric Shock Machine game.

[Via GamePolitics]

Shock treatment for gaming addicts halted in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Left 4 (Shaun of the) Dead mod in the works

JC Fletcher — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EST

Grab a Cornetto in celebration of this truly heroic, and overdue, mod effort: a group of amateur designers is working on Left 4 Winchester for PC, a Left 4 Dead campaign based on the classic zombie comedy (or zomedy, if you will) Shaun of the Dead. Each of the game's five chapters will take place in one of the movie's locations, including the Winchester Tavern, where the movie's zombie-filled final showdown happened.

Unfortunately, according to the website, one of the mappers is concerned with the legal issues of basing the mod on a movie, and this hesitation may result in the project's loss of some of its work. We'll translate: don't expect this to be available immediately.

[Via GameSetWatch]

Left 4 (Shaun of the) Dead mod in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Impressions: Shadow Complex

Randy Nelson — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:30:00 EST

With just a little more than a month to go before the game hits the Xbox Live Marketplace, today we got a look at more of Chair Entertainment and Epic Games' love letter to Super Metroid, a.k.a Shadow Complex. We'd journeyed through some of the same in-game territory during E3, but this latest glimpse was geared more towards getting into gameplay we didn't really get a good look at then.

For starters, we witnessed several nods to the stealth-oriented gameplay of Metal Gear Solid (the game also draws on Kojima's classic series for artistic inspiration). In one area, designer Donald Mustard -- an avid fan of the 2D action-adventure who hopes his game kick-starts a new trend among his fellow developers -- guided his hero past moving floodlights and security cameras which, if not avoided, would have locked down the area requiring players to find an alternate path through. Stealth kills have also made their way into the game and even work on smaller robots, who, like human enemies, are fair game as long as players aren't in their line of sight.

Gallery: Shadow Complex

Continue reading Impressions: Shadow Complex

Impressions: Shadow Complex originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Project Sora shows off its smashing new office

JC Fletcher — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST

What has Masahiro Sakurai's Project Sora studio been up to since opening in February? According to its website, the company is in the final stages of its hiring initiative, but it's also been moving. The new developer posted a photo tour of its new offices in Iidabashi, Tokyo, complete with a sound booth and a teleconference room for meetings with Nintendo of America.

The room with the most furnishing is the office game room, seen above, which features an impressive array of consoles (including the dreamy Twin Famicom on the floor) and plants. "The cactus was a gift," Sakurai boasted.

As for what Sora is working on in this new space: "Our project is a secret!"

[Via Siliconera]

Project Sora shows off its smashing new office originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battlefield Heroes registers over 1 million players

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST

The growth of Battlefield Heroes has been slow and steady -- a natural side-effect of EA and DICE's slow trickle release of beta codes for the free-to-play shooter. However, on June 25, Heroes' floodgates were flung wide open, letting every would-be cartoon soldier access to the title. Now, about 19 days since that fateful event, EA has revealed some impressive statistics: Over one million players have registered for the online battle.

That's quite a few digital soldiers, but we're curious to know how many of those decided to purchase fancy hats for their militaristic avatars, and whether EA is turning a profit thanks to the sale of said chapeaus. We've emailed EA to try and find out.

[Via Big Download]

Battlefield Heroes registers over 1 million players originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dave Perry wants to put a Gaikai server in every city

Justin McElroy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST

We might have been able to ignore Dave Perry a year ago, but after he predicted the PSP Go, we've become terrified of his considerable powers. So, when we read that he told the annual Develop Conference in Brighton, England that 100 percent of games would soon be online, we went ahead and smashed our DVD storage solution to pieces in anticipation.

Perry also told Develop that he's committed to putting a server for his game streaming service Gaikai into every major city on the globe, which seems like the beginning of a plan Cobra Commander would come up with to control the planet. We are, however, giving Dave the benefit of the doubt.

Dave Perry wants to put a Gaikai server in every city originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tony Hawk Ride sequel already planned

JC Fletcher — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:45:00 EST

In an interview with IndustryGamers, Robomodo president Josh Tsui revealed some exclusive, shocking information about Tony Hawk Ride. We'll give you a moment to mentally prepare yourself. Are you sitting down?

There's probably going to be a sequel. To the tenth Tony Hawk game*.

Asked what else was happening at the company aside from development of the first Ride, Tsui said that "Obviously, we're very focused on getting this done, but being the creative types that we are, we're always writing up new game proposals and things we want to do." One of the new game proposals, of course, is Ride 2. "It's just a matter of timing," he said. "With Tony Hawk: Ride finishing up [we have to think about] the sequel to the game and where that fits into our schedules. It's a lot of juggling at this point."

Of course, while Robomodo has just started thinking about the sequel, it's been an absolute certainty at Activision since, say, 1999, as have annual Tony Hawk sequels from now until they outnumber humans.

*Not counting ports, handheld versions, or spinoffs like Tony Hawk's Motion.

Tony Hawk Ride sequel already planned originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney games boss: You can't get by on just 'good' IP today

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST

Disney Interactive's executive VP and general manager, Graham Hopper, believes that companies can't get by on just a "good" IP in this economic climate and that there needs to be substance in a game -- we're sure the "new THQ" agrees. Hopper tells MCV that he's "excited" about Split/Second, the new racer from Black Rock Studio, which is the development house behind the critically acclaimed Pure. And if that's the case, we're certain he's "super duper" excited about whatever top secret project gaming legend Warren Spector and his Junction Point Studios - which Disney acquired over two years ago now - are working on.

Hopefully Disney Interactive's fortunes turn around with this initiative; the company certainly needs the revenue. There's also plenty of good executive hires available for the company to come up with something new, if this latest strategy doesn't work out.

Disney games boss: You can't get by on just 'good' IP today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Activision confirms delay of Wolfenstein to 'week beginning August 17'

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST

(click to mecha-Hitler size)

Joystiq received official word from Activision this afternoon that, corroborating recent retailer listings, the upcoming Raven Software-developed Wolfenstein reboot is being pushed back to "the week beginning August 17." Earlier today, Shacknews discovered listings on GameStop and Amazon's websites proposing a two week delay, with the game presumably arriving on store shelves August 18. According to Activision, the new release date is "to facilitate a simultaneous global release window" -- we're hoping that's all a ruse and Raven's actually sneaking in Wolfenstein 3D's amazing final boss.

The good news? The game still features a horde of Nazis, lining up to meet their fate at the business end of your peacemaker. The bad news? It's also still a fairly generic shooter set in World War II (albeit an alternate reality version). With any luck, a demo for the game will be hitting Xbox Live and PlayStation Network just before the game's release and you can find out for yourself just how much (or how little) you need to get your feet into B.J. Blazkowicz's shoes.

Gallery: Wolfenstein

Activision confirms delay of Wolfenstein to 'week beginning August 17' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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43 million killed: Battlefield 1943's Coral Sea unlocked on Xbox

Christopher Grant — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:47:00 EST

Less than a week after festivities kicked off in the "Coral Sea Challenge" one group has amassed the 43 million kills required to unlock the titular map, Coral Sea, and the new Air Superiority mode. Xbox 360 players can load up Coral Sea right now and start shooting their friends and loved ones from the comfort of the skies. PS3 players will need another 21 million or so kills before they get to share in the festivities. And PC gamers ... well, since they're already required to wait an extra two months, they'll be getting Coral Sea gratis, no killing required, when it makes its way to that platform in September.

And who fired the lucky forty-three-millionth shot? That would be one "James" (gamertag: jkasapi) from Peterborough, England. With no small amount of irony involved, EA is gifting the obviously subterranean James with a pair of 1943 sunglasses, a 1943 t-shirt, and custom Battlefield sneakers, for when he goes "outside."

43 million killed: Battlefield 1943's Coral Sea unlocked on Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook spawns more Duke Nukem Forever screens

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST

A new development in the never-ending saga that is Duke Nukem Forever -- or, as we like to call it, Duke Nukem The Ever ... Living! -- has now revealed itself on Facebook. Specifically, Duke Nukem's Facebook page -- we totally friended him -- has been posting screenshots that appear to be from the ill-fated Duke Nukem Forever. As Big Download notes, the shots focus on one giant boss monster stalking what looks like Hoover Dam. We also get a nice render of one of the series floating squid-monster-things and another cybernetic monstrosity.

For its part, 3D Realms claims that work on Duke Nukem Forever continues, despite the ongoing legal battle surrounding it. For our part, we can only marvel that we're now seeing more of Duke Nukem Forever after its death than we ever saw during its development.

Gallery: Duke Nukem Forever screens (Facebook)

Facebook spawns more Duke Nukem Forever screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Memo: Zellers (Canadian retailer) no longer stocking 80GB PS3 Core bundle

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST

According to an internal memo Joystiq received, Zellers - the Canadian retail chain - may no longer be stocking the 80GB PlayStation 3 Core bundle. The memo specifically notes that employees are not to take rainchecks on an advertised deal allowing customers to purchase an 80GB core bundle with any PS3 game under $30 for a total price of $380 (after a $20 discount). The memo notes that rainchecks can't be accepted because the company "can not promise" to fill them with the same item.

Assuming the document is real (the contact info -- which we've redacted -- is legitimate), it could imply that Sony is no longer offering the 80GB PS3 Core bundle to the retailer, possibly meaning the bundle itself is being discontinued. The memo certainly jives with industry speculation that Sony will clear 80GB stock in advance of a price cut, new 160GB bundles and possibly even the elusive PS3 Slim as well. Of course, it's also possible that the store is simply waiting for more 80GB Core models to be manufactured, though it seems unlikely that it would choose to stop taking rainchecks if that were the case.

We've reached out to Zellers' parent company, HBC, for comment. If you work for Zellers (or any games retailer!) and you've heard similar rumblings, be sure to hit up the Joystiq tips line (anonymity assured).

Memo: Zellers (Canadian retailer) no longer stocking 80GB PS3 Core bundle originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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