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Despite being a huge bummer for everyone involved, the end of the world can at least be counted on as a magnanimous source of drama and spectacle. Naughty Dog's latest game, The Last of Us, aims to leverage the studio's sophisticated technology and credible presentation to forge a more intense connection between players and their on-screen avatars. If it succeeds, your actions will stem from the same paranoia, hesitation and fierce bravery coming from Joel and Ellie, two survivors of modern civilization's mysterious closure.

Continue reading The Last of Us demo offers a first look at Naughty Dog's direction

The Last of Us demo offers a first look at Naughty Dog's direction originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/the-last-of-us-demo-offers-a-first-look-at-naughty-dogs-directi/

Square Enix's eventual announcement of Mini Ninjas: Hiro's Adventure will soon end up being less "reveal" and more like the complete opposite of any ninja's stealth training ever. The barely unannounced sequel has most recently been spotted on the Australian Classification Board site by Siliconera.

This latest failure of ninjadom comes two months after a European trademark filing mentioned Mini Ninjas: Hiro's Adventure... oh yeah, and then there was the web domain under the same name, as well. At the very least, we expect the game to come in clanking pots and pans like a two-year-old on parade at E3.

Mini Ninjas: Hiro's Adventure classified in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/mini-ninjas-hiros-adventure-classified-in-australia/

Add a fourth company to the group contributing to Project X Zone - Nintendo. At least, it's a Nintendo-owned developer creating the 3DS Capcom/Namco/Sega crossover SRPG. Monolith Soft, most recently known for Xenoblade Chronicles, is developing the new game, Famitsu has revealed (via Andriasang).

It makes sense given Monolith's history - it developed Namco X Capcom, a similar crossover game for PS2. What doesn't make sense, at least at face value, is a Nintendo-owned company making a game about three other companies' characters.

Xenoblade Chronicles dev Monolith Soft creating Project X Zone originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/xenoblade-chronicles-dev-monolith-soft-creating-project-x-zone/

Screaming at monitors while attempting to make just one more crushingly difficult checkpoint is apparently a pastime shared by many, many gamers. This week, Ubisoft revealed that the latest Trials franchise entry - Trials Evolution - sold approximately 500,000 units since its launch in mid-April.

Sure, it's no Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, but half a million sales in less than a month is quite impressive for a title on Xbox Live Arcade. How impressive, you ask? Well, we'd love to tell you, but Microsoft doesn't release sales numbers for XBLA games. Those rascals! For context's sake, though, we'd point out that it took just over a year for the first Trials game on XBLA to hit 1 million units sold. We get the feeling it'll take a bit less time with Evolution.

In the same slide, RedLynx is called out as having many brands with "great multiplatform potential." A quick glance at RedLynx's catalog confirms our suspicion that Trials is indeed the Finnish studio's biggest "brand." How about that!

Trials Evolution moves half a million in just three weeks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/trials-evolution-moves-half-a-million-in-just-three-weeks/

Epic Mickey's first foray was a Wii-exclusive affair. This time around, Junction Point is bringing Mickey's epic-ness to what it's calling "next-gen consoles." We might call them "7-year-old consoles," but, well, Mickey's best bud is from 1920, so we can appreciate the anachronism at play here.

Epic Mickey 2 and 'The Power of Next Gen' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/epic-mickey-2-and-the-power-of-next-gen/

We assume while everyone was waiting for the Diablo 3 servers to boot back up yesterday, they played as much Max Payne 3 as the downtime allowed. So, since everyone has finished the entire Max Payne 3 campaign, Rockstar is mixing up multiplayer gameplay with a free DLC pack for Xbox Live and PSN, titled "Gorilla Warfare."

The Gorilla Warfare pack contains a gorilla mask, which gives players extra adrenaline for melee kills from behind; the lucky coin, giving players extra booty for looting bodies; and the booby trap item, which has players' corpses explode when they're looted.

The Rockstar Pass is also now available for download on Xbox Live and PSN. The Rockstar Pass gives players all of the Max Payne 3 DLC for a one-time price of $30. These offers will hit PC on launch day, May 29.

There's already some Max Payne 3 DLC, and it's free originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/theres-already-some-max-payne-3-dlc-and-its-free/

If 38 Studios does shutter, beyond Rhode Island taxpayers having to pay off the $75 million bond (plus interest) through 2020, it appears the state will also own the intellectual property of the developer as a parting gift. Reviewing updated documentation released by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) today, it appears 38 Studios put up all present and future IP by the company as collateral.

According to the documentation, 38 Studios' intellectual property rights and other collateral were pledged to the RIEDC and assigned to a trustee, which we've confirmed by pulling Uniform Commercial Code documentation. Any proceeds made from the sale of the collateral would go back to the bondholders. This covers "all rights, title and interest in any projects, including video game projects," such as Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and "Project Copernicus" - the title currently in development at 38 Studios.

"Based on what information I've been able to review on the 38 Studios situation, it appears that the funds they received from the RIEDC were secured by collateral that amounts to all of 38 Studios assets, including all of their intellectual property," attorney and Law of the Game editor Mark Methenitis told Joystiq this afternoon. "That would include all the rights to Kingdoms of Amalur and any other games they may have in development, even if no information about those titles has ever reached the light of day."

Continue reading Rhode Island owns Amalur, all other 38 Studios intellectual property if studio defaults

Rhode Island owns Amalur, all other 38 Studios intellectual property if studio defaults originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/rhode-island-owns-38-studios-intellectual-property/

It's now even easier to buy too many games from Steam. Valve has implemented remote downloading, allowing you to manage your PC's Steam collection remotely, from anywhere you can access the website or mobile app.

Remote downloading lets you start a download on your computer from any of these other sources, and have them "installed and ready to play on your arrival." In other words, you can buy a game from the mobile app and have it download automatically to your home PC, or reinstall something else from your Steam collection remotely.

The Store will even ask you upon purchase if you'd like to remotely install your new game, if it notices you're shopping from away from your computer.

Steam enables remote downloads from web or mobile originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/steam-enables-remote-downloads-from-web-or-mobile/

There's no better way to flaunt your mastery of the art of having $55 than with the Kingdom Hearts 3D "Mark of Mastery" edition. The newly announced special edition comes with a clear 3DS case and a set of art cards that look like they can be slipped into said case, and five AR cards to unlock in-game Dream Eaters. All of this comes in a big box with a magnetic clasp.

This edition shows one of the advantages of portable games: the limited edition boxes don't cost quite as much as those for console games.

Continue reading You can Dream Drop more cash for a 'Mark of Mastery' edition of Kingdom Hearts 3D

You can Dream Drop more cash for a 'Mark of Mastery' edition of Kingdom Hearts 3D originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/you-can-dream-drop-more-cash-for-a-mark-of-mastery-edition-of/

This is an editorial based on Dave Hinkle's personal experiences with 2000's Diablo 2. Joystiq's review of Diablo 3 is still forthcoming.

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It's not because I lack the requisite memory blocks and quantum computers to run Blizzard's latest, Diablo 3 - it's personal. You see, I'm genetically predisposed to Diablo. It's something I think about each and every day.

Diablo is a proper addiction to me. Diablo 2 is something I associate with the darkest moments of my life, when I skipped showers and seriously lived on Pop Tarts. My only comfort back then was the dim glow of the monitor and the random piece of treasure the game would occasionally drop for me as I toiled away hours doing nightmare-level Meph runs.

I have an addictive personality, as many of those who have met me in real life can attest. I eat horribly, can't seem to quit smoking cigarettes and have drunk to excess on occasion. The Diablo experience is like some kind of magical talisman created by the wizards of southern California that is meant to poke and prod that dark place inside me I actively ignore and deny every day of my life. Diablo brings out my greed and disdain for everything other than myself in the worst way.

But again, these are just words. They don't mean anything without examples, so I'm going to take you back to when I was in college and Diablo 2 ruined my life.

Continue reading Editorial: I can never play Diablo 3

Editorial: I can never play Diablo 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/i-can-never-play-diablo-3/

Respawn Entertainment employees will attend this year's E3, but no, the studio won't be showing any new project at the big show. "Some of us will be present at E3, but we won't be showing anything or doing any press related to the game," Respawn community manager Abbie Heppe told Joystiq.

Thus far, little information exists on Respawn's first project. Aside from a single, extremely blurry screen and news that it's an EA Partners title, Respawn has kept the game out of the public eye. But with a team comprising many ex-Infinty Ward folks - the same folks who helped launch Call of Duty into the world of sports playoff trailer debuts - it's hard to imagine Respawn working on anything small.

Respawn wouldn't tell us whether the mystery project will be revealed this year, nor if the studio would attend the various gaming events scattered across the next several months. We're hoping for a surprise reveal during Tokyo Game Show, just to mess with the Japanese market.

Respawn Entertainment's big reveal won't be at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/respawn-entertainments-big-reveal-wont-be-at-e3/

Today's emergency meeting by Rhode Island officials to determine what they are going to do about Curt Schilling's 38 Studios has concluded with officials freezing like deer in headlights. Nothing happened.

Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation will take no immediate action to aid the developer, following a closed-door meeting attended by Governor Lincoln Chafee and Schilling, who asked for additional help to save the company. Schilling refused to answer press inquiries and officials wouldn't declare how much money the studio is seeking.

"How do we avoid throwing good money after bad?" Chafee is quoted by the Associated Press as saying after the three-hour emergency meeting finished.

"The company still has the option to cure the existing default by paying the $1,125,000 guaranty fee that is past due," reads an official statement by the EDC board. "In the meantime, we will continue to talk with 38 Studios and develop additional information, and will resume the Board meeting at our regularly scheduled meeting on May 21. The members of the Board may not discuss the confidential information received and discussed today."

If the studio doesn't receive assistance, it appears Rhode Island taxpayers may very well be on the hook for the $75 million 38 Studios loan that, after interest, would require paying back $112.6 million through 2020.

Continue reading 38 Studios, Schilling ask Rhode Island for more money; state officials freeze

38 Studios, Schilling ask Rhode Island for more money; state officials freeze originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/38-studios-schilling-ask-rhode-island-for-more-money-state-off/

You see that dude above, straight chillin'? Yeah, you've seen him before - like, a few weeks ago, when the image leaked alongside several other Crysis 3 screens. Well here he is again, but this time he's got a whole bunch more totally official screens, straight from EA. Thrilling!

Continue reading Crysis 3 screens both new and 'new'

Crysis 3 screens both new and 'new' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/crysis-3-screens-both-new-and-new/

Browser-based FPS Offensive Combat is the new game from U4iA, a studio formed last year by Activision expats. It's an FPS with a mobile/tablet sidearm, described as working together "unlike any game before," though no further details beyond that were provided. The only other aspect U4iA revealed is customization, which we figure is the awesome lizard hat seen in the screenshot above.

U4iA was founded by Chris Archer and Dusty Welch, former Activision and Call of Duty vets. With Offensive Combat, the two hope to deliver "the most competitive multiplayer action ever seen within a browser." A beta for Offensive Combat kicks off this summer.

Continue reading U4iA rips the wrap off free-to-play FPS Offensive Combat

U4iA rips the wrap off free-to-play FPS Offensive Combat originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/u4ia-rips-the-wrap-off-free-to-play-fps-offensive-combat/

Free-to-play shooter Tribes: Ascend has been downloaded 1.2 million times, a significant boost from the debatably framed 800K registered accounts from a month ago.

"It is truly the player support of the title that has driven the population growth and fuels our team to deliver updates," said Hi-Rez Studio COO Todd Harris. "We see the community expanding primarily thru positive word of mouth."

Hi-Rez Studios also noted over 110,000 people have joined Tribes: Ascend through the company's referral system. Our experience with the game since launch has been chronicled by our "Murderous Skier."

Continue reading Tribes: Ascend pulled down 1.2 million times thus far

Tribes: Ascend pulled down 1.2 million times thus far originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/tribes-ascend-pulled-down-1-2-million-times-thus-far/

Mikio Watanabe, Cave's executive vice president and COO, is leaving the company as of May 31 for personal reasons, according to a press release issued by the company today. Watanabe will continue as representative director until the next shareholder meeting in August. Following his departure, CEO Ito Masahito will become the only remaining representative director.

At the same time, the latest Famitsu magazine (reported by Andriasang) lists two Vita games by the publisher as canceled. One of the games is a Vita release of its casual/social castle building game Shirotsuku; the other is an unspecified shooter.

If you're feeling worried about the seemingly vulnerable company, now might be a good time to remind you that Akai Katana Shin, the company's latest Xbox 360 shooter, is out in North America this week.

Cave Vita games reportedly canceled as COO resigns originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/cave-vita-games-reportedly-canceled-as-coo-resigns/

As the November 6 launch of Halo 4 approaches, Microsoft is doling out more information about its multiplayer modes, collectively known as "Infinity Multiplayer" (surprise!). The game will introduce a brand new mode called Spartan Ops, which tells the story of the UNSC Infinity, the massive ship that serves as Halo 4's multiplayer hub (pictured). Spartan Ops will serve as an episodic continuation of Halo 4's campaign, with weekly cinematic episodes that "center on the UNSC Infinity leaders and crew, and a new team of Spartans - Majestic Squad." Each episode will include new missions, allowing one to four players to "explore the corners of Requiem in these objective-based missions, and help uncover the secrets of the mysterious Forerunner world."

Halo 4's competitive multiplayer will be known as War Games and, as previously detailed, will offer plenty of character progression and customization, such as armor specializations that enable "combat enhancements" tailored to specific play styles.

Both War Games and Spartan Ops are included with the standard edition of Halo 4, though those willing to pony up the dough for the $99 special edition will also receive 9 maps (to be doled out across three map packs after launch) and early access to six armor specializations.

Continue reading Halo 4's 'Infinity' multiplayer to introduce Spartan Ops, War Games

Halo 4's 'Infinity' multiplayer to introduce Spartan Ops, War Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/halo-4s-infinity-multiplayer-to-introduce-spartan-ops-war-ga/

Microsoft revealed Halo 4's Limited Edition today, and there's not a cat helmet to be found. Instead, the $100 package gets you a fancy box, a "UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet," and a host of in-game bonuses, expanding the multiplayer experience.

The LE includes the "War Games Map Pack," a voucher for "three future competitive multiplayer map packs, each including three locations, available for download post-launch on Xbox Live." It also includes early access to six multiplayer Specializations, which will only be released at launch in this package; they'll be "released over time" to the general audience.

Other digital bonuses include an exclusive armor and weapon skin, an in-game emblem, and an Avatar prop. The LE also includes an "extended 90-minute version" of the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn video series, extra featurettes, and making-of videos.

Continue reading Halo 4 Limited Edition includes multiplayer map DLC, videos

Halo 4 Limited Edition includes multiplayer map DLC, videos originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/halo-4-limited-edition-includes-multiplayer-map-dlc-videos/

Searching for the proper metaphor for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2, the best I can conjure is a glass of milk. There's nothing really wrong with it per se, but it's not exactly exciting either. It has some good qualities and is mildly refreshing, but when's the last you time you raved about a glass of milk?

Continue reading Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 review: Running in place

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 review: Running in place originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-2-review/

We certainly didn't expect a 3DS spinoff of Lost Planet ... and we definitely didn't expect a 3DS-slash-PS3 spinoff. EX Troopers, revealed in this week's Famitsu magazine, is also unexpectedly anime styled, featuring manga panel cutscenes and a theme by Jpop star May'n.

EX Troopers takes place on EDN-3rd, in some kind of academy. Bren Turner is new in school, and seems to jump right into the Akrid fighting in what producer Shintaro Kojima describes as a beginners' action shooter.

No official images have been released yet (above is Lost Planet 3), but expect to see a lot of this, as Capcom indicated plans to use this IP outside of games, like its other "Single Content Multiple Usage" initiatives.

EX Troopers: a Lost Planet spinoff for ... 3DS and PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/ex-troopers-a-lost-planet-spinoff-for-3ds-and-ps3/

Along with a 3DS firmware update (which doesn't do anything interesting), a new patch sent to 3DSes yesterday closes up the Maka Wuhu shortcut, in Mario Kart 7. The patch is required for online play, so you will no longer see miraculous leaps forward on that particular course. The glitch still shows up in time trials.

Now you have only your own driving skill to rely on in Mario Kart. Well, that and blue shells. Actually, mostly blue shells. Now, you have only the random chance that you'll get a blue shell and not be hit by a blue shell to rely on.

PSA: Mario Kart 7 patch fixes Maka Wuhu exploit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/psa-mario-kart-7-patch-fixes-maka-wuhu-exploit/

The Xbox 360 has added a couple new entertainment apps for your audio-visual pleasure. Starting things off, in the States, there's the Manga app, which enables users to view full length episodes, movies and clips from the Manga Entertainment catalog.

For the northern parts of North America, MUZU.TV will we available to Xbox Live customers in the United States and Canada. MUZU is a ... (*googles*) apparently, it's a music video site, with over 40,000 mini musicals on demand.

Finally, Australians have upgraded FOXTEL with Kinect functionality. The virtual controls on that stuff aren't what one would call efficient, but Kinect compatibility is still worth it for the joys of "Xbox Pause" and "Xbox Play" functionality.

Continue reading Xbox 360 adds Manga, MUZU apps; upgrades Aussie FOXTEL with Kinect

Xbox 360 adds Manga, MUZU apps; upgrades Aussie FOXTEL with Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/xbox-360-adds-manga-muzu-apps-upgrades-aussie-foxtel-with-kine/

Using words we don't quite understand, Nividia has announced a new platform that will conceivably make cloud gaming a much more viable prospect. The Geforce GRID platform features "dedicated ultra-low-latency streaming technology and cloud graphics software" and the company believes it will "fundamentally change the economics and experience of cloud gaming."

A single GRID unit houses two GPUs based on Nvidia's Kepler technology, which the company says are capable of maintaining eight separate game streams simultaneously, an attractive prospect for gaming service providers. Additionally, "fast streaming technology" will supposedly drop server latency to "as little as 10 milliseconds," which, as we understand it, is pretty fast. So fast that GRID could potentially stream very high-end games to virtually any device, from phone to TV to toaster. Furthermore, Nvidia is working with smart TV manufacturers to reduce ethernet input lag so that, in theory, Gaikai could have latency on par with a console connected via HDMI (or slightly lower latency, if you believe the graph above).

Of course, we'll have to wait and see how everything works out in practice, but the possibilities are, in a word, crazypants.

Nvidia's GRID platform hopes to dramatically improve cloud gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/nvidias-grid-platform-hopes-to-dramatically-improve-cloud-gamin/

If there's a serious dearth of racers on your iDevice, RedLynx is looking to fill that void with a free download of MotoHeroz. Originally debuting on WiiWare, this game is - well, it's basically Trials. If you haven't heard of Trials, then you really need to start reading our site more.

In short, MotoHeroz is a physics-based side-scrolling racer with platforming elements and a really depressing leaderboard where your friends show you how much better they are at the game. MotoHeroz is free to download on all iOS devices running version 4.1 or greater.

Gas up the MotoHeroz iOS truck for free right now originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/gas-up-the-truck-for-free-in-motoheroz-ios-right-now/

Like the TARDIS, the PS3 is "bigger on the inside," capable of holding an entirely new Doctor Who adventure within its slim casing. The BBC announced today that Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock will be released "globally" on PlayStation Network Wednesday, May 23, and in UK retail the following Friday. "We really appreciate your patience as we've been making sure the game is perfect for all you eager fans," said executive producer Simon Harris, referencing the two-month delay of the game, which made the title unfortunately ironic.

The brief announcement on the PlayStation Blog did not offer any release dates for the announced PC or PlayStation Vita versions. It also doesn't tell us if the game will finally reveal the fate of the Doctor's daughter Samantha.

Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock lands on PSN May 23 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/doctor-who-the-eternity-clock-lands-on-psn-may-23/

The full PlayStation downloads list for April - as opposed to the sneak peek we got thanks to Pulse earlier this month, where the list is not segregated by platform - has been released and Ubisoft's I Am Alive was indeed the top download. On the PS3 and PSN list, thatgamecompany's Journey followed Ubisoft's long-awaited title. Reverge Labs' debut Skullgirls managed to snag the third spot.

On the PS Vita side, Escape Plan continued to dominate - no surprise since there's not much else for the PS Vita right now, though that changes today. Modern Warfare 3's Content Collection #1 drop on PSN also did well, topping out the PS3 add-on category. Finally, Final Fantasy VII was the top PSOne Classic, but then again you already knew that because it's always Final Fantasy VII.

I Am Alive tops April 2012 PSN downloads; Escape Plan still atop PS Vita list originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/i-am-alive-tops-april-2012-psn-downloads-escape-plan-still-atop/

We can't imagine there are people out there who haven't ever played Castle Crashers - well, maybe babies haven't. Those babies should to take advantage of the current Xbox Live Arcade sale, which has priced Castle Crashers at 600 MS Points ($7.50) through May 21.

Castle Crashers (XBLA) on sale for $7.50 through May 21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/castle-crashers-xbla-on-sale-for-7-50-through-may-21/

Ubisoft is celebrating the gorgeous, inviting weather of May with a sale on PSN titles designed to keep you indoors for days. Today through May 22, a large Ubisoft lineup is 30 percent off for standard PSN users and 50 percent off for PlayStation Plus members.

Titles include Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Scott Pilgrim, Prince of Persia Classic Trilogy HD and Far Cry 2, among other full games and DLC packs. Check out the full list and prices below, you hermit.

Continue reading Ubisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices

Ubisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-sale-on-psn-has-some-big-titles-at-tiny-prices/

Dear Esther has finally wandered across the barren PC wasteland to end up on Mac as part of the larger Steam island system. Dear Esther, developed by current Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs team thechineseroom, now supports SteamPlay and is half off for Midweek Madness, through May 17.

Dear Esther comes to Mac on Steam, is half off through Thursday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/dear-esther-comes-to-mac-on-steam-is-half-off-through-thursday/

Grandma sure did like playing Rainbow Six: Vegas on that old PSP when you'd make your weekly homage for family dinner, didn't she? "Blap! Blap! Blap!" she'd shout. And things really haven't been the same since you traded up to a Vita, what with its lack of support for many PSP titles. We understand.

Thankfully, so does Sony. This morning, the US PlayStation blog announced today's launch of several PSP games on the Vita (including Grandma's fave), as well as a variety of PSP Minis (full list after the break). As usual, if you already own the games digitally for your PSP, all you'll have to do is re-download the files to your PSN-tied Vita. If not, well, you'll have to pony up some virtual cash.

Interestingly, Sony also mentioned "improved playability" for some titles beyond the up-res'd graphics - we're checking to see what exactly that means. The line has since been removed from Sony's blog post.

Continue reading Finally, you can play Cho Aniki Zero on your Vita (finally!)

Finally, you can play Cho Aniki Zero on your Vita (finally!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/finally-you-can-play-cho-aniki-zero-on-your-vita-finally/

Capcom is revising its DLC strategy to include less content on-disc at launch, senior vice president Christian Svensson writes in a post in the Capcom forums. "We would like to assure you that we have been listening to your comments and as such have begun the process of re-evaluating how such additional game content is delivered in the future," Svensson says.

This introspection follows vicious complaints about Street Fighter X Tekken's on-disc DLC, to which Capcom responded that it sees no distinction between on- and off-disc DLC. A few titles currently in production will ship with on-disc DLC, including Dragon's Dogma, Svensson writes.

Capcom decided to add DLC on Dragon's Dogma discs "at the beginning of the game's development cycle as at the time this was determined to be the most efficient way of ensuring certain content was made available," according to Svensson. "You are being heard," Svensson concludes.

Capcom re-evaluating on-disc DLC, is 'listening' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/capcom-re-evaluating-on-disc-dlc-is-listening/

Even in the post-apocalyptic setting of The Last of Us, safety comes first when driving. Buckle that seat belt, Ellie!

Take the scenic route through this The Last of Us trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/take-the-scenic-route-through-this-the-last-of-us-trailer/

This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer.

I find Cecil interesting, which is not something I can say for many other video game protagonists. For instance, he's in a solid, mature relationship with a strong woman right off the bat. And from the very beginning, he's grappling with a clear moral dilemma--break his oath and step down or continue slaughtering innocents in the name of the Empire? It's evident that Cecil has a lot in his mind right from the beginning, which is all the more impressive for the fact that he's only a tiny 16-bit sprite.

In fact, there was a lot going on with Final Fantasy IV's story in general. The cast is huge, and the heroic sacrifices and heroic twists almost constant. But the best moment happens early on, when Cecil climbs Mt. Ordeals with the twin mages Palom and Porum in a quest to shed his darker half and become a Paladin.

Continue reading Great Moment: Climbing Final Fantasy IV's Mt. Ordeals

Great Moment: Climbing Final Fantasy IV's Mt. Ordeals originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/great-moment-climbing-final-fantasy-ivs-mt-ordeals/

According to the latest update on the Blizzard forums, the Diablo 3 servers for North America are up and running. The servers went down for maintenance earlier today - the launch has suffered some hiccups - but now you should be able to log in and take a hit of that sweet, sweet Diablo 3, no problem. Happy looting!

Diablo 3 servers are now back online originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 20:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/diablo-3-servers-are-now-back-online/

New screenshots released today introduce the new starting point in Pokemon Black Version 2 and White Version 2. Aspertia City is a location new to the series, though of course "new" is relative in the world of Pokemon. From that location, you'll begin your investigation of how the Unova setting has changed since the events of two years ago. And you'll catch lots of Pokemon and fight gym leaders and stuff.

Nintendo also sent out the new box arts, allowing you to see Black Kyurem and White Kyurem facing each other down just as they will on retail shelves. Unless they're shelved in a different order, in which case they'll be defiantly facing away from each other.

Welcome to Pokemon Black/White Version 2's scenic Aspertia City originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/welcome-to-pokemon-black-white-version-2s-scenic-aspertia-city/

PixelJunk 4am drops its sick beats on PSN today, daring anyone to look cooler or make prettier sounds come out of a TV than mixmaster Baiyon. Seriously, launching this game is a dare in itself - to create something beautiful and share it with the world - so don't be a wuss. Today PSN also gets Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2, Prototype 2 and Rock of Ages for download on PSN.

PlayStation Plus members get Rock of Ages for free, Goldeneye 007 Reloaded for half price ($30) and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Complete Edition for 40 percent off ($15). The entire run-down of content, free, discounted and just-launched, is available on the PlayStation Blog.

PSN Tuesday: PixelJunk 4am, Sonic 4: Episode 2, Rock of Ages originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/psn-tuesday-pixeljunk-4am-sonic-4-episode-2-rock-of-ages/

Translating the tome that is author George R.R. Martin's masterwork A Song of Ice and Fire is a task that must be both daunting and erratic. In its second season on HBO, the television adaptation of the series has been lovingly crafted into a marvelous weekly hour of television. In the video game world, developer Cyanide Studio has stumbled in its task thus far, releasing an abysmal strategy game that seemed to be created less in devotion to the source material and more in reaction to the franchise's new mainstream spotlight. With the studio's second effort at the series, the French developer has brought the Seven Kingdoms to life in a new, role-playing adventure.

Unlike the strategy title A Game of Thrones: Genesis, the RPG Game of Thrones feels like it was cobbled together by people who have genuine affection for the series. But Cyanide's ideas themselves seem more grand than the company is capable of delivering, showing stitches of the small studio's limitations throughout. It's the intention of the HBO series - with the budget of a SyFy original movie.

Continue reading Game of Thrones review: Bowed, bent, broken

Game of Thrones review: Bowed, bent, broken originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/game-of-thrones-rpg-review/

The hits keep coming for ex-baseballer Curt Schillings' 38 Studios. The company reportedly missed its latest loan payment of $1.125 million to the state of Rhode Island on May 1, effectively defaulting its $75 million loan. WPRI spoke with Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox who confirmed the news.

The loan's facilitator, Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation, called an "emergency meeting" for tomorrow morning, wherein it will discuss "an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public regarding the 38 Studios financing." As reported earlier, if 38 Studios were to fully default on its loan obligations to investors supplying the loan via the Rhode Island government, the responsibility would fall to Rhode Island's taxpayers - to the tune of $112.6 million.

Of the $75 million borrowed by 38 Studios from the state of Rhode Island, $49.8 million was received by the studio as of March 15, WPRI reports. Given that, it seems worrisome at best that 38 Studios was unable to fulfill its recent payment of $1.125 million. 38 Studios is working on the Kingdoms of Amalur MMO - the game was originally promised for a launch ahead of 2013, when 38 Studios is set to begin paying back bondholders on its $75 million loan. It's unclear what stage its MMO is at, and 38 Studios hasn't made a public statement regarding its recent issues.

[Image credit: 38 Studios]

38 Studios whiffed last loan payment, received nearly $50 million from Rhode Island thus far originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/38-studios-whiffed-last-loan-payment-received-nearly-50-millio/

Some of you may have experienced this first hand, but if you've yet to suddenly go offline while playing Diablo 3, here's what happens. First, your game will lock up for a minute or so, then you'll be sent back to the character selection screen.

According to Eurogamer, at this point you'll log back in and find that you've retained all gold, experience and items - no penalties there. Once you get back into the game, you'll start from your last checkpoint.

The decision to require a constant internet connection initially received some blowback from the community, but it would seem it's not as bad as initially thought, at least in one regard. Eurogamer even notes that being booted back to the character selection screen didn't happen every time - occasionally the game would resume as if no disconnect even occurred.

Diablo 3 internet hiccups don't penalize players originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/diablo-3-internet-hiccups-dont-penalize-players/

"We look forward to launching Darksiders [2] beginning on August 14 in North America," announced THQ CEO Brian Farrell during an investor conference call today. Farrell said that the delay from the previous June date was a "demonstration of our commitment to quality" - and that, after discussions with retailers, the publisher determined that "mid-August is a more favorable release window."

Pre-orders for Darksiders 2 are more than five times what they were for the first game at the equivalent point before release, Farrell noted. THQ is accompanying this release with double the marketing spend of the first game as well - it needs a hit game, and badly.

Darksiders 2 rides into retail August 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/darksiders-2-rides-into-retail-august-14/