Joystiq

GC 2008: Peter Moore doesn't want to punish pirates

Kevin Kelly — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Despite his fondness for authentic, handmade pirate headwear, Peter Moore was talking about video game pirates at the Leipzig Games Convention, telling Eurogamer that he doesn't think the rapscallions should be made to walk the plank. After all, that didn't work when the record industry tried to sue people for illegally downloading music, Moore reminds us.

Granted, this doesn't mean he wants people to run out and torrent the latest EA title but "there are better solutions than chasing people for money," Moore says. "I'm not sure what they are, other than to build game experiences that make it more difficult for there to be any value in pirating games."

So will Moore change his tune and start keelhauling PC pirates? Probably not, since he's "not a huge fan of trying to punish your consumer." Avast, me buckos! Might we expect a subscription-based Madden on PC then?

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X3F Week in Review: August 15, 2008 - August 21, 2008

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Features, Microsoft Xbox 360

Lots going on at X3F this week. We've got a Dennis Dyack interview, a video hands-on with Galaga Legions and more. Best of all, Fanswag Weekly returns with five XBLA redemption codes for Bionic Commando Rearmed (which is awesome, by the way). Peruse the links below and feed your inner fanboy. We won't tell anyone.

Community

X3F @ Too Human Hometown launch signing
We have pictures
X3F Interview: Five minutes with Dennis Dyack
Still won't talk about Eternal Darkness 2
Fanswag Weekly: Bionic Commando Rearmed
Get into the swing of things
Ask X3F: Friendship edition
Borrowing games can be a tricky business
Xbox 360 Fancast 080 -- Football!
They actually let us make 80 of these...
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Galaga Legions
You can move up and down now!

News

A dirty PURE demo to release to the XBLM in Sept
ATVs are dangerous
Rare promises Banjo Kazooie demo before its November release
Try the vehicle editor. Seriously.
Viva Piñata 2 demo in certification, releasing soon
Multiplayer gardening FTW!
Rumor: Xbox 360 price cuts; 60GB $299, Elite $399, Arcade $199
Cheaper than Wii?
New Sacred 2 trailer shows off 4-player co-op
Mmm ... dungeon crawling

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GameStop has another $1.8 billion in sales for Q2

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business

People really love their used games. GameStop's Q2 results show the company repeated its last quarter and had sales of $1.8 billion again, reports GameDaily. CEO R. Richard Fontaine says the company produced record revenues in each of the regions it operates in and continues to ~~kill puppies~~ make obscene amounts of money compared to its competition.

GameStop stated that GTA IV, MGS4, Wii Fit, NCAA Football 09 and Battlefield: Bad Company were its best sellers during the quarter ending August 2. The company has high expectations for the rest of the year and raised its full year guidance. The money train ain't slowing down this year.

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GC 2008: New trailer, screens for The Wheelman (not The Assassin!)

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Driving

That's right! As Vin Diesel so eloquently points out, he's a wheelman, not an assassin. Of course, this dramatic scene takes place just after he's mowed down countless bad guys and destroyed half the city in a dramatic and collision-filled car chase. It's all a bit frantic, frankly, but at least we have The Wheelman's lead mission designer, Mark Thompson, to guide us through the broken glass and mangled metal. Don't forget to check out fresh screenshots in the gallery below!

Gallery: Wheelman (Leipzig 2008)

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id's Hollenshead: Piracy 'hidden benefit' for PC manufacturers

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Business

Oh, those sly PC hardware manufacturers. As if it wasn't bad enough that they keep building better, more powerful rigs every six seconds, id Software's Todd Hollenshead believes they also secretly benefit from software piracy. No stranger to the public flogging of the illicit C:\ scourge, the CEO candidly told GamesIndustry.biz that manufacturers typically "line up on the wrong side of the argument."

"They have lots of reasons as to why they do that," he said, "but I think that there's been this dirty little secret among hardware manufacturers, which is that the perception of free content - even if you're supposed to pay for it on PCs - is some sort hidden benefit that you get when you buy a PC, like a right to download music for free or a right to download pirated movies and games." Hollenshead believes that this is what motivates manufacturers to stick up for the law-abiding minority when it comes to issues like peer-to-peer sharing.

"I think that if you went in and could see what's going on in their minds, though they may never say that stuff and I'm not saying there's some conspiracy or something like that - but I think the thing is they realise that trading content, copyrighted or not, is an expected benefit of owning a computer." Heck, the only reason we got one was to steal quotes from Tom Bramwell's interviews.

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GC 2008: GTA IV adds replay editor, polish on PC

Randy Nelson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Action

Rockstar has laid out details on some of the additions and improvements in store for the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV. Eurogamer reports that the version it was shown at Leipzig featured more realistic lighting, animation, and "a much higher level of detail on both characters and environments."

More intriguing is a replay editor. According to Rockstar, the PC version of GTA IV is always recording the previous 30 seconds worth of gameplay, so you can pause at any time and really soak up the calamity that's just transpired. It will also be possible to tweak the footage by means of filters, cuts, and repositioning of the camera. The completed clip can be combined with other 30 second snippets into one long, personal crime epic to share with friends via the Rockstar Social Club website.

The PC version will also expand on the consoles' 16-player online component, although the extent of what's planned is largely unknown beyond there being more filters for finding specific match types.

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Law of the Game on Joystiq: Let the payment fit the damages

Mark Methenitis — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Features

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq, a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

There are a lot of theoretical claims an injured party could make against a game manufacturer, but the one I'd like to focus on is the world of products liability. After all, the crux of most of these claims is "this video game product caused this person to do this act, which resulted in damages." It would certainly be a novel claim, and one that tweaks the traditional definition of products liability, which surprisingly can be applied to video games outright in certain circumstances.

The reason I've picked products liability is because if the current laws were expanded to account for the kind of civil liability for game makers that has been talked about, then products liability would be a logical place to put the new causes of action. Not to get ahead of ourselves, it's probably a good time to explain what products liability is: Products liability is the area of the law where parties on the chain of a product, from the retailer to the manufacturer to the manufacturers of sub-assemblies or parts, can be held liable for damages caused by their products. So, if for some reason the video game console you're playing randomly exploded, this would be the theoretical means for recovery.

Continue reading Law of the Game on Joystiq: Let the payment fit the damages

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PSN Thursday: Ratchet's Quest for Booty, Kratos goes golfing

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP

Now that Clank isn't hanging around, Ratchet can finally tap some ... oh, booty also means treasure? Well, isn't that just clever, it's like one of those double entendres. Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty is available on the PSN this week for $15. There's also the Kratos DLC for Hot Shots Golf on PS3 and the demo for The Last Guy. Actually, there's a lot more stuff that might be of interest, so the full list of this week's NA PSN update can be found after the break.

PS3 Fanboy has this week's European update over in their corner of the internetz. Go visit and bring your laundry, they'll do it over there for you.

Continue reading PSN Thursday: Ratchet's Quest for Booty, Kratos goes golfing

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Who put 'Wii Music' in my Guitar Hero?

Randy Nelson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Rhythm

Hoping to somehow diminish our aversion to the sight of Miis playing musical instruments, Vicarious Visions is working the user-created, er ... "avatars" into the Wii version of Guitar Hero World Tour in a so-called unique way. In an interview with IGN, the developer explained how the recently revealed Mii mode, known as "Mii Freestyle," will work.

Using the guitar or drumkit peripherals (or, if you're ~~crazy~~ so inclined, the Wiimote and Nunchuck for "air drumming") the mode lets you and a friend jam in a variety of music genres, laying down single notes, chords, and beats as you wish. According to Vicarious Visions, it'll all sound good because, well, it's programmed to clean up what you do. Take that, years of practice!

[Via Wii Fanboy]

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Joystiq eyes-on: Heavy Rain

Jem Alexander — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Features, Sony PlayStation 3, Adventure

click on the image for larger, heavier rain

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

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

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

Gallery: Heavy Rain

Continue reading Joystiq eyes-on: Heavy Rain

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Samba de Amigo gets dates, DLC and full song list

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Rhythm

They just don't make maracas like they used to, eh? Nevertheless, Sega will proceed with the revival of Samba de Amigo, albeit with a pair of fiddle sticks (or just one Wiimote and a tethered Nunchuk, if you prefer), when the game ships to retail September 19 across Europe and September 23 in North America. The new Samba will offer plenty of nostalgic songs, plus a generous helping of fresh tracks, including a wag-a-long to Rihanna's smash hit: Pon de Replay. We've laid out the entire song list for you after the break.

Additionally, Samba's first downloadable song pack will be available for purchase on September 23 -- a long-term storage solution is still up in the air. All song packs will include three songs by their original performers. Sega has not confirmed songs for individual purchase nor announced pricing. The first pack will include:

Mambo Mambo - Lou Bega
I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow
Are you Going to Be My Girl - Jet

Gallery: Samba de Amigo (Leipzig 2008)

Continue reading Samba de Amigo gets dates, DLC and full song list

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GC 2008: Ubisoft screenshot roundup

Ross Miller — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:44:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Galleries

Ubisoft has released beaucoup d'images as part of the media overflow we call Leipzig Games Convention 2008. Below and after the break, check out new galleries of screenshots for Raving Rabbids TV Party, Prince of Persia, EndWar, HAWX, Far Cry 2 and more. It's just like Ubidays, only with no Beyond Good & Evil in sight. Oh, mon Dieu!

Gallery: Prince of Persia (Leipzig 2008)

Continue reading GC 2008: Ubisoft screenshot roundup

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Mercenaries 2 co-op developer walkthrough

Christopher Grant — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360

We'll be honest: most of the staff at Joystiq has a serious medical condition that makes us physically unable to resist good co-op gameplay. We can't do it. It's a serious condition. There's only two known treatments: 1) massive amounts of mind-altering pharmaceuticals or 2) co-op video games. Sometimes, we're forced to seek out the former when there aren't any co-op games on the ol' release calendar while other times there are games like Mercenaries 2: World in Flames that would appear to provide enough co-op gameplay to keep us drug-free for a long time.

Above you've got another Mercenaries 2 developer walkthrough, this time sharing the wonders of the game's co-op functionality. Don't mean to brag, but we've already played it. That means you'll want to pay attention, lest you miss things like "drop-in," "drop-out," "campaign," and "explosion." Say, does anyone have an early copy of Castle Crashers, we're really hurting over here ...

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Warhammer Online cinematic trailer

Christopher Grant — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Video, MMO

There's a war going on. No, we're not talking about the one between the Armies of Order and the Armies of Destruction depicted in the recently released cinematic trailer for EA's upcoming MMO Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Nope, we're talking about the war being waged on blogs and in forums over which fantasy MMO-themed video is better: this one or the Wrath of the Lich King opening. Since it's a war, you all have to watch both and pick a side. Apathy is not a choice!

[Download it in high-def from BigDownload]

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X08: Infinite Undiscovery discovered on two discs

Xav de Matos — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, RPGs

Terrible news for immobile couch potatoes: According to a Square Enix representative, Infinite Undiscovery will ship on two discs when it releases exclusively on the Xbox 360 in September. The real-time role-playing title from tri-Ace marks the first game to be published by Square Enix on an Xbox platform since 2006's space shooter, Project Sylpheed.

Shipping on September 2 in North America, September 5 in Europe and September 11 in Japan, Infinite Undiscovery promises an epic 20-25 hour adventure for the Xbox 360. And that's just while you're busy changing discs.

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iPhone users: read Joystiq at i.joystiq.com

Christopher Grant — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:16:00 EST

Filed under: Meta (about Joystiq)

We've long offered a mobile version of Joystiq at m.joystiq.com, for those of you with a Blackberry, Windows Mobile, or what have you. But looking at the data, the iPhone slash iPod Touch platform represents a commanding 79.5% of all mobile pages served (some stats after the break).

So with that in mind, we're unveiling i.joystiq.com, a specially formatted page that delivers the entire Joystiq experience (including comments this time!) with none of the cruft of a full-sized web page. We know there are still some kinks to be ironed out, so consider this service in beta until, well ... there are no more kinks. In the meantime, let us know what you think in the comments (maybe try leaving a comment from your fancy iPhone, Mr. Millionaire).

Continue reading iPhone users: read Joystiq at i.joystiq.com

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X08: Cliff talks Gears of War 2 achievements, Seriously 2.0

Xav de Matos — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters

In an interview with Gears of War 2 lead designer Cliff Bleszinski at X08 in Toronto, Canada, we learned of an upgraded version of the original "Seriously" achievement, first seen in the popular franchise's previous installment. The achievement, "Seriously 2.0," requires 100,000 kills across the single and multiplayer campaign of the anticipated title. Yikes!

Stay tuned for the entire interview where Cliff reveals his thoughts on the single-player experience, Gears of War 2's Horde mode (first revealed at E3 2008), Too Human and, err, his desire to pee. Yeah, he went there.

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Rumor: Another Guitar Hero World Tour peripheral

Christopher Grant — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Peripherals, Rhythm

G4 claims to have gotten "the hot word" on a new Guitar Hero World Tour peripheral from Neversoft's Brian Bright who "wouldn't go into detail about what it will be," though he apparently said the new peripheral was "specifically for the game's Studio mode."

We've reached out to Activision for some kind of comment or confirmation; however, until then, speculation seems to be the name of the game. G4 is guessing keyboard, which is all well and good. And who knows, it may well be a keyboard. We're not oracles here. But as long as we're just guessing, why not guess a little bigger, y'know? That's why we're happy to announce Joystiq's official guess for the rumored new Guitar Hero World Tour peripherpal: keytar.

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Wii gets first force feedback wheel from Logitech

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Driving, Peripherals

We know what you're thinking: Gawd, another Wii Wheel? But this one actually does something, we promise. Now, why anyone would jump to purchase a $100 peripheral for a $250 console is the real question that needs answering. (Cough, cough.) But if you truly believe that force feedback is necessary to impress your non-gaming friends the next time they come over, then by all means, check out Logitech's "Speed Force Wireless" Wii wheel when it goes on sale in November. (Warning: Not guaranteed to protect against blue shells.)

Gallery: Speed Force Wireless Wheel (Wii)

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Rock Band Weekly: Rush's Moving Pictures album

Ross Miller — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:25:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Rhythm

Harmonix has sent out the first Rock Band Community Zine, which revealed (rather earlier than usual) that Rush's Moving Pictures album will be available to download and play next week. Hopefully the band has been practicing.

Rush - Moving Pictures (880 / $11)

Tom Sawyer (Original) (160 / $2)
Red Barchetta (160 / $2)
YYZ (160 / $2)
Limelight (Original) (160 / $2)
The Camera Eye (160 / $2)
Witch Hunt (160 / $2)
Vital Signs (160 / $2)

Videos for the tracks can be found after the break. The songs will be available for download next Tuesday and Thursday for Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Rush's Moving Pictures album

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