James Ransom-Wiley
New York, NY - http://www.joystiq.com/
Managing Editor / LinkedIn Profile
Guitar Hero, Call of Duty franchises lead Activision's 'better-than-expected' Q3 2009
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ 1 day ago } 
In fact, the CEO called Guitar Hero the year's "#1 best-selling third-party franchise in North America and Europe" through September, claiming that U.S. sales of music games increased 72 percent year over year in September. Last year's big-band-box edition, World Tour, and Call of Duty: World at War combined for total, world domination, becoming this year's "#1 and #2 best-selling third-party titles" in North America and Europe through September, according to Activision. Additionally, World at War DLC map pack sales continued to climb last quarter and have now surpassed 7.5 million purchases.
Needless to say, the publisher is not backing off of its prior financial outlook. Activision anticipates annual net revenues of $4.5 billion (on a non-GAAP basis) at the close of the year. Did you remember to feign surprise?
Terminal Reality seeking programmers for 'seriously high-quality' Natal project
by James Ransom-Wiley { 1 day ago } 
Motion control, man, it's about getting back to our roots -- a simpler time -- when games were, like, about connecting with our bodies, you know? So when we caught wind of a job opportunity posted by Ghostbusters developer Terminal Reality and calling for experienced Xbox Live programmers to create "an exciting AAA Natal title," we were sorta like, whoa, guys, you're kinda missing the point.
Check this: "If you have a passion to create seriously high-quality action/adventure titles, we're interested in hearing from you!" Really ... passion? That makes it sound like there will be sweat involved -- that's the players' job now. You guys gotta dial it down, maybe dig up some of that old BloodRayne code, put a little "kick-punch-slap" control in there ... Save. Press. Box. Ship. Done.
[Via Shogun Gamer; thanks, Ian]
Scratch: The Ultimate DJ deck ain't no half-steppin'
by James Ransom-Wiley { 3 days ago } 
"These aren't some made up tricks," scoffs our friendly narrator. "They're authentic scratches heard every night in the hottest clubs in the world." But authenticity -- the act of keeping it real -- doesn't end there for Scratch: The Ultimate DJ's Numark-designed peripheral, the Scratch Deck. Check these street credentials:
Update: So what's up with the game? "The game is coming along quite nicely under the direction of the Commotion Interactive team, and we will be releasing some new assets in a few weeks," a Scratch spokesperson tells Joystiq. And adds, "As of now, the release date is still spring 2010."
- "the first legitimate DJ controller for video gamers" (oh snap!)
- "Numark have been at the forefront of turntable production since the 1970s" (before you were even born, son!)
- "utilizes technology that locks your scratches in the sweet spot of any sample" (bust that scientifical)
- "build skills that will transfer over to any DJ setup" (who said anything about mad skillz?)
- "you need beats" (just sayin')
- "Dr. Dre, Just Blaze and Pete Rock" ( ... just sayin')
Update: So what's up with the game? "The game is coming along quite nicely under the direction of the Commotion Interactive team, and we will be releasing some new assets in a few weeks," a Scratch spokesperson tells Joystiq. And adds, "As of now, the release date is still spring 2010."
Now Playing: November 2-8, 2009
by James Ransom-Wiley { 4 days ago } 
Vote: May the best pumpkin win [update]
by James Ransom-Wiley { 7 days ago }
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| Finalist #1 | Finalist #2 | Finalist #3 | Finalist #4 | Finalist #5 |
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| Finalist #6 | Finalist #7 | Finalist #8 | Finalist #9 | Finalist #10 |
Update: And the winner is ...
First, thank you to everyone who submitted a pumpkin carving for this year's contest -- you rock! Brilliant work. Now, after making many difficult cuts, the Joystiq staff has narrowed down the entries to the ten finalists you see above.
(Note: Each thumbnail is linked to a larger image and description of the finalist posted after the break; when clicked, these larger images link to the even larger, full-size versions in our gallery.)
Since we couldn't possibly decide on our own, please help us to select this year's winner:
First, thank you to everyone who submitted a pumpkin carving for this year's contest -- you rock! Brilliant work. Now, after making many difficult cuts, the Joystiq staff has narrowed down the entries to the ten finalists you see above.
(Note: Each thumbnail is linked to a larger image and description of the finalist posted after the break; when clicked, these larger images link to the even larger, full-size versions in our gallery.)
Since we couldn't possibly decide on our own, please help us to select this year's winner:
Zombie Tycoon reanimates PSP minis movement today
by James Ransom-Wiley { 8 days ago }
"Let's be clear, Zombie Tycoon isn't a port from a phone game, it's a whole new strategy game designed specifically for PSP," executive producer Martin Brouard proclaimed on the European PlayStation Blog. "This unique tale of intrigue and betrayal spans over 10 challenging levels, allowing you to attack humans AND the places they call home."
Zombie Tycoon isn't priced like a phone game, either. At $7.99 (£3.99/€4.99), this particular mini is on par with previous minis' costs, which have been the topic of much discussion. Perhaps you'll form a value judgment of your own after checking out the Zombie Tycoon trailer posted after the break.
Nyko Zoom Case for DSi unleashed upon the world
by James Ransom-Wiley { 9 days ago }
Click for 2x ZOOM!
No, seriously, the Zoom Case "improves upon one of the landmark features of the DSi, enabling gamers to take higher quality images, which is perfect for the growing suite of social networking capabilities available on the platform," says Nyko marketing director Chris Arbogast.
Ohhh ... that explains it!
Gallery: Nyko Zoom Case (DSi)
Reminder: Carve pumpkins, win video games
by James Ransom-Wiley { 9 days ago }
Entry #27 by Brian W.
Update: The entry period has closed.
It's a shame the CDC shut down our plans for a giant bobbing for games contest. It was going to be epic. In its place, however, we launched a totally rad pumpkin carving contest. Not only do we get to enjoy the skilled craftwork of the Joystiq Biomass, we also get to keep the prizes nice and dry, and reduce the spread of waterborne illness bred in the saliva of icky gamers. That goes down as a win-win-win situation in our book.
Reminder: You have until 12:00PM ET Friday, October 30, (two days!) to submit images of your game-related pumpkin carvings to: contest@joystiq.com. Click here for the basic guidelines for entry. (Official rules.)
Have a look at the competition and keep the entries coming:
Survey says, yes, teens and tweens still want video games this holiday
by James Ransom-Wiley { 10 days ago }
What we want to know: If 86 percent of surveyed youngsters are asking for at least one video game this holiday gift-getting season, what miserable manner of childhood have the other 14 percent been living? No doubt leading a crusade to bring joy to teens and tweens everywhere (and, uh, recoup some losses), retailer Game Crazy has put together a handy buyer's guide for concerned parents.
Don't know which video games to get your kids because they haven't clearly indicated them in large, bold, triple-underlined letters on their wish lists? Just follow these simple guidelines:
- For the "Girly Girl" whose fashion obsession is getting way too costly: Wii Sports Resort
- For the "Music Addict" who's not worth spending real guitar lessons on: Guitar Hero 5
- For the "All Things Sports" lover who's just a tad bit uncoordinated to enjoy "outside" sports: Wii Sports Resort
- For "The Adventurer" who needs to learn that "real life" is largely confined to the indoors: New Super Mario Brothers Wii
Lock your eyes on first EA Sports MMA screenshot
by James Ransom-Wiley { 10 days ago }
Look, we're cool with realistic violence in games -- from a distance. Exploding heads, severed limbs, gratuitous gore -- it's all got to be separated by at least a sword's length; or better: the distance traveled by a bullet.
This bare, get-on-the-floor and grapple-it-out violence is just, well, confusing. Look at that balding guy's expression*. Look closer. What is that all about? It's, like, the antisocial rage it takes to snap a man's arm (against one's groin, no less) coupled with the extreme constipation indicative of training the body to destroy people (go on, squeeze it out) and the extraordinary pain brought on by a set of incisors biting into the tender flesh behind the knee -- and then it's all locked together in what appears to be pure ... ecstasy? We know the sport's all about mixing it up, but these are mixed messages. C'mon, folks, we don't need this stuff in the way of kicking ass. Games must not imitate real life.
*Ed.'s Note: Sorry dude! We don't follow the sport, and so we don't know your name. Please don't break us!
[Via Shacknews]
Now Playing: October 26 - November 1, 2009
by James Ransom-Wiley { 11 days ago }
Joyswag: Carve a pumpkin, win a pile-o'-games
by James Ransom-Wiley { 14 days ago }
Image credit: Takayoshi Sugawara; 2007 contestant
Update: The entry period has closed.
It's that time of the year again -- when it's OK to show some video game spirit. Like, a lot of spirit. In between sewing your man-sized Peach dress and gluing together that Spartan Laser, why not take a break to do some carving?
That's right, welcome to The 2009 Joystiq Pumpkin Carving Contest! Submit pictures of your video game-themed pumpkin carvings for a chance to win a pile of games. Just follow the 8 simple rules after the break.
Update: We're posting entries in the gallery below (note: finalists will be selected and featured in a separate gallery). Peep the competition:
Borderlands PC DRM loyally guards street date; Pitchford unable to order stand-down
by James Ransom-Wiley { 14 days ago }
Big Download contacted Randy Pitchford, president of Borderlands development studio Gearbox Software, who said, "I don't know if something can be done to unlock copies for people that somehow get a copy before the street date ... I certainly can't do anything about it." Pitchford's sympathetic, of course -- which reminds him of, ugh, Valve's Half-Life 2 DRM -- but as a developer there's not much he can do once the game's been handed over to the publisher and surrounded by unflinching DRM.
"I know how that feels," Pitchford related. "I'm sorry it's happening to customers of Borderlands, and I wish there was something I could do about it."
Ubisoft: Assassin's Creed 2 is 'awesome' -- there's no room for bad games
by James Ransom-Wiley { 15 days ago }
When pressed for comment about AC2 going up against MW2 and the possibility of his game (ha!) surpassing Infinity Ward's shooter in sales, Yannis Mallat, CEO of AC2 developer Ubisoft Montreal, admitted to VideoGamer.com that he was not "pretentious" enough to predict a sales outcome, but added, "I can certainly say there is no room any more for average or bad games, but there is still a lot of room for awesome games, and that's what Assassin's Creed is."
Internally, Ubisoft has set its standards high -- two years ago, the first Assassin's Creed moved 2.5 million units in its first month at retail to become the fastest-selling new game IP in U.S. history. Of course, two years ago, Call of Duty 4 was claiming records of its own. Ubisoft would not dare pit AC2 against MW2 in an outright sales challenge, but, in embodying its franchise's ethos, with a little patience, Ubisoft will almost certainly enjoy successful sales of AC2 over the course of the holiday season. After all, who among us has ever been content to settle on just one awesome game when there are many to enjoy?
Prison Break game screens unfold blueprint for escapism
by James Ransom-Wiley { 16 days ago }
Click to see how he did it!
Remember that show Prison Break? Yeah, from like the mid-Aughts or whatever. Anyway, Zootfly is making it into a video game. Today, the game's publisher, Deep Silver, released a batch of screenshots and reiterated the plot as follows:
"The protagonist of the Prison Break game is Company agent Tom Paxton. He is sent to the Fox River State Penitentiary to find out why Michael Scofield (the hero of the TV series), a man without a previous criminal record, became a bank robber. The storyline runs parallel to the first season of Prison Break: Paxton encounters several characters from the series and experiences key events from his own perspective."
But you see, we believe the screens are hinting at a far different plot -- a plot that has to be exposed. Follow along as we guide you through the (totally unofficial -- like, we made it up) blueprint for a Prison Break game ...
