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Nintendo explains Wii U recall, third-party and Nintendo Direct feedback

June 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment



Nintendo is currently battling the chicken and the egg of the video game business. The Wii U isn’t selling at levels to make it a “rational” risk for third-party developers, but how does a console sell if it doesn’t have games? We spoke with Charlie Scibetta, Nintendo of America’s head of corporate communications, last week at E3 about the House of Mario’s business and future.

Nintendo’s current strategy is to get some high-profile first party games out the door and grow the Wii U’s install base that way. Scibetta tells us in the interview, “We’re confident that once some of these games come out that we have planned between now and the holiday and into 2014, that it will help drive the install base and when that happens the platforms will look more enticing to third parties.”

We also discuss the recent Wii U recall, which Nintendo is calling a “rebalance,” as well as the rising scene of independent games and the future of Nintendo Direct.

JoystiqNintendo explains Wii U recall, third-party and Nintendo Direct feedback originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Insomniac Explains Sunset Overdrive’s Xbox One Exclusivity

June 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Shortly after the announcement of Sunset Overdrive during Microsoft's E3 press conference, Insomniac's CEO Ted Price posted a message on on the company's website offering a few more details about the game, and why it's exclusive to Xbox One.

The trailer showcased a parkour runner taking on mutants in what appeared to be an abandoned city. The game's official description reads, "With an arsenal of kick-a**, overpowered weapons and a knack for traversing the city with hyper agility, it’s not the end of days for you. Your story is just beginning.” Here is Price's reasoning for making the game an Xbox One exclusive:

"It may surprise some of our longtime fans that we have partnered with Microsoft Studios to develop Sunset Overdrive exclusively for Xbox One. When we first began discussing this idea with Microsoft, we were initially hesitant to shift back into an exclusive arrangement. But as the Microsoft team began introducing us to the abilities and philosophies driving the development of Xbox One, we knew that Sunset Overdrive was a perfect fit. The Xbox One and Xbox Live will support our ambitions to create an ongoing two-way dialogue with our community. It will also allow us to have quicker production cycles, enabling timely content updates for new weapons, characters, storylines and even pop culture-relevant content like memes based on social commentary."

You can see the full message by heading here. For more on the game, make sure to check out the announcement trailer.

[Source: Insomniac]

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Nordic Games explains who the f they are, plans for THQ assets

June 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Nordic Games spent $ 4.9 million to acquire THQ’s back catalog in April, but has yet to reveal any concrete plans for the intellectual properties, although it certainly knows what you’d like to see. And, with any luck, will announce some plans by Gamescom.

“We want to carefully select which franchises are up for getting a sequel or new installment. We closely monitor the communities on that,” said Reinhard Pollice, who handles Nordic’s business and product development. He mentioned the games receiving the most feedback are Darksiders, MX vs. ATV, Red Faction and Titan Quest.

Personally, Pollice would also like a new Deadly Creatures, but there are other challenges. Nordic has described itself as a “middle man,” since the company doesn’t have internal studios or the capital to make the AAA sequels that fans of these games would expect. This is particularly true in the case of Darksiders, which Nordic would need to seek another publishing partner to help out.

“Darksiders is really big. We know we need a partner for that. An established development team that can pull out such a big action adventure. We obviously talked to former team members and, if they are free, we want to somehow involve them. If they are allowed to because, you know, some of them found other jobs or are with Crytek now,” said Pollice.

He expressed that Darksiders is the franchise Nordic wants to do right by, to continue the story that’s already been established. As a fan, Pollice doesn’t want to mess up Darksiders and he wants to make sure that nobody else ruins what’s been started in the first two games. Although, with the road ahead, he said, “I would not look for a Darksiders 3 before two years from now.”

Continue reading Nordic Games explains who the f they are, plans for THQ assets

JoystiqNordic Games explains who the f they are, plans for THQ assets originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Civilization V: Brave New World Video Explains Revamped Diplomacy

June 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The second and final expansion for Civilization V shakes up the endgame with the World Congress, which savvy players can use to push their agenda and thwart rivals through peaceful means.

The World Congress can ban luxuries, enforce nuclear non-proliferation, and more. Ultimately it serves as the new diplomatic victory condition, where a would-be global leader has to gain the support of delegates not only from city-states but from rival powers as well. Watch the video below for more.

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For more on the imminent expansion, check out Mike Futter's hands-on report.

Civilization V: Brave New World comes out on PC on July 9. 

Visit our E3 News Headquarters for all the stories from the show.

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Battlefield 4 ups squad count to five, DICE explains why

June 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Battlefield 4 ups squad count to five, DICE explains why

Battlefield 4 will feature five-man squads over the series’ staple four-man grouping.

“They’ve been asking for bigger squads,” DICE producer Aleksander Grondal told Joystiq at E3, referring to the Battlefield community’s insistance on larger squad counts. “We believe five is a good figure. It allows for more team-based gameplay, basically. You have more options and you can spawn in more places.”

In previous Battlefield games, DICE made a purposeful design decision to limit the number of players per squad. “It was a design choice back then – forgive me, I don’t exactly remember why it was chosen four. You know, it feels like light years ago from previous games,” Grondal joked, rubbing the tired from E3′s first day out of his eyes. “But five is a little better; it gives a bit more flexibility and more interesting choices.”

Battlefield 4 launches on October 29 for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

JoystiqBattlefield 4 ups squad count to five, DICE explains why originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony explains why Gran Turismo 6 is launching on PS3, not PS4

May 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Sony explains why Gran Turismo 6 is launching on PS3, not PS4

The biggest eyebrow-raiser with last week’s Gran Turismo 6 reveal was that it’s launching on the PS3, and not the PS4. Doesn’t Sony want to drive PS4 launch sales with one of its biggest franchises?

In an interview on the PlayStation Blog, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO Jim Ryan explained why the latest Gran Turismo isn’t debuting on the soon-to-be latest PlayStation, arguing that GT6 can still deliver a significant difference from GT5, despite being on the same platform.

“You had GT1 and GT2 on PS one,” Ryan said, “GT3 and GT4 on PS2, then there’s GT5 on PS3 and a space next to it. The difference between Gran Turismo and GT2 is unbelievable, but they’re both on the same platform. The difference between GT3 and GT4 is huge. We’re absolutely confident when GT6 comes, you’ll see a big step change up from GT5 too. There’s still a lot of potential on PS3 that a developer like Polyphony can really exploit.”

The other, obvious factor is the install base. Gran Turismo has traditionally been a big seller, with three of the five main games shifting over 10 million units. To do that, Ryan indicates, you need to have the install base.

“And the other factor is that on PS3 we have an install base of 70 million units,” Ryan added. “On PS4 on launch day we’ll have an install base of zero units. There’ll be plenty of games to help drive PS4 – not least Driveclub in the racing genre from Evolution Studios, a studio with a fantastic pedigree.”

A PS4 version of GT6 looks more than likely at some point down the line, and it’s something that hasn’t shied away from. Speaking to IGN, series creator Kazunori Yamauchi said, “We actually do have a PlayStation 4 version in mind, but for this holiday season, we thought it would be best for users to release on PS3 for now.”

JoystiqSony explains why Gran Turismo 6 is launching on PS3, not PS4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 May 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A law professor explains why Nintendo is monetizing LP videos

May 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

As Nintendo begins claiming ad revenue for and apparently even shutting down YouTube Let’s Play videos showcasing its games, professor of law Greg Lastowka explains the situation from a legal perspective. …


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Capcom VP explains why Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies is eShop only, Japanese demo now available

May 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Capcom VP Christian “Sven” Svensson has shed some light on why Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies is destined solely for the 3DS eShop in the west. Responding to users on the Capcom-Unity forums, Svensson stated that while he understands “the value” of owning a physical copy of a game, “it is a sign of the times that increasingly our business is going digital and not everything is going to be in both formats.”

“Not every game is appropriate for both formats given the economics involved,” he wrote, pointing to games like Darkstalkers Resurrection, Resident Evil 4 HD and Okami HD, which were released physically in Japan but digitally in the west. “Their COGS (costs of goods sold) and retail margins and reserve issues are entirely different there given the market differences,” wrote Svensson. “It’s a sad fact, but it’s still a fact.”

He added Capcom’s US operation “worked very hard” to see Dual Destinies released in the west. “If we’d said ‘no, it’s not coming’, it would have triggered the inevitable ‘please bring it to eShop, at least’ cries. Instead we shortcutted that and brought it straight to eShop.”

In other gavel-banging news, a playable browser demo of Dual Destinies is now available on the game’s Japanese website. Just make sure your Kanji is up to snuff if you hope to make heads or tails of it. Finally, Gematsu reports that the latest Famitsu confirms that both Miles Edgeworth and Trucy Wright will make a return appearance in the game.

JoystiqCapcom VP explains why Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies is eShop only, Japanese demo now available originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil: Revelations Wii U Trailer Explains The Benefits Of Two Screens

May 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Resident Evil: Revelations is coming to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but the Wii U version is the only one that will let players play with two screens like the original release.

Along with some features you would expect, like having the map relegated to the GamePad, you will also be able to play off-screen (something confirmed last month), and interact with the MiiVerse in humorous and helpful ways.

For more on Resident Evil: Revelations, you can check out the developer diaries that Capcom has released for the game. This one covers the heritage of the Resident Evil franchise, and this one explains why viruses are terrifying.

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Volition explains relationship between Saints Row 4 and ‘Enter the Dominatrix’

March 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment


Volition explained to us at PAX East today that Saints Row 4 isn’t “Saints Row 3.5″ nor the canceled Saints Row: The Third standalone expansion “Enter the Dominatrix” in a different package. The team told us that work began on Saints Row 4 about two months before The Third finished, with another team split to do Dominatrix.

“We had to go in and totally gut the [Dominatrix] story for Saints Row 4. Everything that was the missions or the story we did for Dominatrix was totally thrown out,” Steve Jaros, creative director at Volition told us. “All the voice recording that we did all thrown out. We redid the entire story. The game is mission wise the same length as Saints Row 3, plus other open worlds on top of it.”

Senior Producer Jim Boone told us that in June last year, shortly after Jason Rubin took on his short-lived role as president at THQ, the agreement was made between Rubin and Volition to combine the games and focus the team on one full project.

“Everyone on the team had the same concern, we didn’t want to make a 3.5, we aren’t making an expansion pack. What we put out to the world has to be worthy of the name Saints Row 4. I really think everyone on the team will stand behind it,” added Jaros. “So much stuff has been changed and thrown out. Even the best of the [Dominatrix] stuff that we liked and pulled into the game we still changed. Nothing was drag and dropped in.”

Saints Row 4 will launch on August 20, featuring weapon customization, mechs, a new alien enemy and a… dub-step gun.

JoystiqVolition explains relationship between Saints Row 4 and ‘Enter the Dominatrix’ originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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