“Good luck to you guys. You’ve adopted our baby.” Ryan Stefanelli, one of the co-founders of the now-defunct Vigil Games, wishes Nordic Games luck with the future of the Darksiders franchise. …
As Darksiders finds a new home, its creators speak out
April 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Sacred Citadel Marches From Left To Right Into Your Home Starting Today
April 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
RPG elements are a fantastic pairing with side-scrolling beat 'em ups. Sure, it's enough to hit parades of baddies, but it's so much more fulfilling when slashes and smashes get stronger over time.
Sacred Citadel aims to recapture the joy of yesteryear's side-scrollers, but not without making concessions for modern sensibilities. Each of the four characters offers multiple weapon types and different skills handled by an RPG system. Three players can adventure together via drop-in/drop-out cooperative play, and the story provides the setup for the next Sacred RPG.
This title also marks new independence for developer Southend Interactive. The studio had been operating under the auspices of Tactel Holding AB.
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PS Vita v2.1 system update cleans up the home screen
April 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
PS Vita owners will find a new firmware update awaiting them tonight, rolling over the system to version 2.1. Chief among changes is the ability to add and drop shortcuts into folders, for obsessed organizers looking to clear the clutter on their home screen. Your customized layout can then be saved to the memory card.
Some videos can be viewed in the browser with v2.1, though a memory card is required for this feature – only certain videos supported. Email has been tweaked too, and PS Plus members can update PlayStation Mobile software and upload game save data automatically to the cloud through 3G. Finally, a new mute feature in v2.1 lets you automatically silence your PS Vita speakers and pause your music when a headset isn’t in use.
PS Vita v2.1 system update cleans up the home screen originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
EA Brings Home Second Consecutive “Worst Company In America” Award
April 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I think it's safe to say that Peter Moore is not currently dancing around the EA offices to "We are the Champions." His company has had a rough 2013 so far, and today isn't making it any better. The voting in the final round of Consumerist's "Worst Company in America" competition has wrapped up and, for the second year running, EA has won the not-so-coveted "Golden Poo Award."
In their wrap-up post declaring the SimCity publisher the "victor," Consumerist cited a number of factors contributing to EA's triumph over its final opponent, Bank of America. Writer Chris Morran hones in on three points: failure to provide a product people want, high prices (especially with the publisher pocketing in-game advertising money), and subpar support of their titles. Consumerist also takes another shot at Moore's attempt at an apology and rationalization via a published statement last week, reiterating the fallacies and inaccuracies put forward by EA's chief operating officer.
This year has already seen the fumbled launch of the high profile SimCity, the departure of CEO John Riccitiello due to poor financial performance, the closure of Visceral Montreal prior to the release of Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel, and a Battlefield 4 reveal that has met critical skepticism (largely due to bombastic claims that don't align with the footage shown at GDC). Furthermore, EA was nowhere to be found at February's PlayStation 4 event in New York City. Rumors are circulating that the publisher has struck a deal with Microsoft. Until the curtain is pulled back on the next Xbox (rumored for the end of May), we won't know for certain.
[via Consumerist]
William Shatner and Gorn are at it again! Retirement home style…
April 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It seems that William Shatner can even make this promotional video worth watching! For Star Trek: The Video Game, developers have re-imagined Gorn’s famous struggle with Captain Kirk…although the boulders now seem to have been replaced with soft couch pillows. Boasting a new storyline for Spock, Kirk, and the entire crew of the Enterprise, it looks like the fight with the Gorn species is still on-going.
When interviewed on the set of this commercial, Shatner added with his trademark professional humor: “It never ceases to amaze me how many people still ask me about that scene. It’s 46 years later, and he hasn’t aged as well as I have.” Available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on April 23rd, visit Star Trek: The Video Game to get your pre-order copy!
Road to the IGF: The Fullbright Company’s Gone Home
March 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Our Road to the IGF interview series talks to The Fullbright Company’s Steve Gaynor about Gone Home, a first person exploration game that’s earned an Excellence in Narrative nomination. …
Gone Home sets the stage with two original Riot Grrrl bands
March 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Gone Home uses an atmospheric, introspective exploration game to tackle one of the most mysterious, emotional and twisted phenomena of human existence – being a teenage girl in the 90s. Trust us, it’s terrible.
Regardless of gender or decade, one thing that alleviates the confusion of adolescence for millions of teenagers worldwide is music. For Gone Home‘s narrative, a teenage girl discovering herself in the 90s Pacific Northwest, this means Riot Grrrl. Riot Grrrl is a feminist punk movement that hit Washington and Oregon beginning in 1991, which spawned an influx of new bands and written publications focused on female empowerment.
Developer The Fullbright Company – formed by three ex-BioShock developers – snagged two original Riot Grrrl bands, Bratmobile and Heavens to Betsy, for Gone Home. It’s an important get for Fullbright co-founder Steve Gaynor.
“It’s really goddamn amazing to have the opportunity for this music to be in Gone Home,” he says. “Authenticity is our No. 1 priority, and the inclusion of tracks by Heavens to Betsy and Bratmobile really drives home the era and the place and the feelings surrounding the story of Gone Home. We’re psyched.”
Gallery: Gone Home
Continue reading Gone Home sets the stage with two original Riot Grrrl bands
Gone Home sets the stage with two original Riot Grrrl bands originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Your game’s protagonist should have a home
March 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
A protagonist’s home says a lot about where he or she is going, argues blogger Mark Filipowich — and in this post, he explores notable character back stories and what they mean to players. …
Pottermore is Coming to PlayStation Home
March 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Sony made an announcement through PlayStation Blog today that Pottermore will be coming to PlayStation Home this April.
Pottermore is an interactive Harry Potter website where players can further explore the Harry Potter universe as students of Hogwarts, and experience events in the books.
What makes Pottermore stand out from other Harry Potter games is that J.K. Rowling herself has provided previously unreleased information to enrich the experience, further back story of characters, concepts on designs…etc.
Through PlayStation Home, players can actually step inside famous landmarks such as Diagon Alley and board the Hogwarts Express. Also, famous mini-games from the site will be re-worked for players to immerse their avatar in a more realistic environment.
There are also new objects for avatars to purchase such as owls, cats and toads. There will be shops for robes and wizard attires as well.
For those who already have a Pottermore account, they can also link their account with the PlayStation Network to continue their journey in the world of Harry Potter.
Here’s a trailer for the game:
Dishonored takes home Best Game award at the BAFTAs
March 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The first-person action game managed to beat out awards ceremony favorite Journey, though that game walked away with five awards of its own, including Game Design and Artistic Achievement. …