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Rebellion games hit GOG.com, we give them to you (just like that) [update]

by Ben Gilbert { Jul 9th 2009 at 2:25PM }

Before teaming up with Sega recently for a new iteration of Aliens vs Predator, UK development house Rebellion made a handful of classic PC titles (yes, we know, including the original Aliens vs Predator). Starting today and continuing over the course of the next few weeks, GOG.com will be offering the company's titles through its site (DRM-free, XP and Vista compatible game, priced to move), starting with Ground Control (Dark Conspiracy expansion included) and Evil Genius. Lords of Magic, Empire Earth, "and more" are in the pipeline for the next few weeks.

To celebrate the release, the fine folks at Good Old Games were nice enough to hand us a few codes -- seven in all, just to keep you on your toes -- for not just the games released today but, well, anything on the site you'd like. That's right, folks, you can use the codes on anything from Rebellion's Evil Genius to Ubisoft's Beyond Good & Evil to Epic's Unreal Tournament (and everything in between, in case you were wondering). All you have to do is keep your eye on the Joystiq Twitter page over the course of the day to try and win one of them. Hit the break for an exhilarating explanation of how to redeem a code.

Update: All codes have been redeemed! Thanks to everyone who participated and to GOG.com for providing us with the codes.

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Custom Twitter, Last.fm, Facebook X360s (for MS 'partners' only!)

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 25th 2009 at 8:30AM }

Microsoft's Major Nelson showed off several consoles that the company will be giving to its new partners, now being integrated into Xbox Live. The Major even noted that he may even "liberate" one and asked if anyone was with him. Um, yeah! Now we want Joystiq integration on Xbox just so we can finagle a console in our blue or yellowy/orangish color.

Also, theft is likely the only way to get your hands on one of these custom consoles (unless you've got a high-level insider at one of the involved companies). The Major makes sure to note, "To be VERY clear ... Those are special consoles made for our partners. They are not for sale anywhere." Hmm, five-finger discount it is.

[Thanks, B. Marriner]

Pachter: Last.fm, Twitter the most important features of E3

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 23rd 2009 at 7:30PM }

What was the biggest news of E3? Was it the PlayStation Motion Controller? Project Natal? The triumphant return of Samus? According to Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter, it was none of the above. As part of the Gamasutra Analyze This feature, Pacther stated that he believes the biggest announcement was actually Microsoft's injection of Last.fm, Facebook and Twitter into the Xbox 360 dashboard.

Pachter states that Microsoft's announcement was "far and away the most important one of the show," and one that the media failed to latch onto. Pachter says that Microsoft's ultimate goal is to solidify the Xbox 360 as "a functioning computer that happens to be located in the living room and is connected to the television." The Facebook, Last.fm and Twitter applications open the Xbox to the internet -- if only in a limited way -- moving it one step closer to the mythical, do-everything set-top-box we've been hearing about since the days of WebTV.

The analyst makes this point in reference to Apple, which hasn't managed (successfully) to do the same thing with AppleTV. Granted, that doesn't make much difference to gamers, but from a pure business perspective, we can see Pachter's point.

Sonic turns 18 tomorrow, Sega giving you all his presents

by Majed Athab { Jun 22nd 2009 at 11:59PM }

It's Sonic's birthday tomorrow. He's turning 18 and leaving the awkwardness of puberty behind to become an adult hedgehog. To celebrate this special time in every blue speed-demon's life, Sega is going to hold a bash and give away many Sonic-related gifts to all of his fans. On Tuesday, June 23 (that's tomorrow), keep your eyes glued to both @sonicgames on Twitter and Sonic on Facebook for a chance to win any one of the 15 prize packs up for grabs (see after the break for deets).

All prizes are available to win worldwide -- there's no silly regional restrictions it would seem (except for Quebec because you're too good for foreign goods*). The Sega Blognik has the full rules on how (and when) to enter the contests, so make sure you hit that up.

*Not an actual restriction

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E3 2009 highlights: The Nintendo roundup

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jun 12th 2009 at 4:00PM }

Nintendo E3 2009 checklist:

Mario? *check*
Zelda? *check*
Metroid? *check*

Are we missing something? Head past the break to find out!

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E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jun 12th 2009 at 11:45AM }

E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted.

We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.

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DSi photo sharing to Facebook coming this fall

by Randy Nelson { Jun 2nd 2009 at 12:58PM }

Nintendo has just announced that it is planning a way for sharing photos taken using the DSi's built-in cameras with the world. Beginning this fall (and presumably via a firmware update) the handheld will be able to send snapshots directly to its owner's Facebook page. Exactly how the transfer process will work hasn't been detailed, but it can't be that difficult, can it?

Facebook on Xbox Live: What it is, and what it isn't

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 1st 2009 at 10:30PM }

We have a tendency to lose our focus when confronted with the adorable, spritely Felicia Day. As a result, our attention was diverted from her presentation about the upcoming Facebook functionality that's coming to the Xbox 360. In order to discern the console capabilities of the popular social network, we chatted up Facebook developer Gareth Davis. The highlights of his explanation of the service can be found after the jump!

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Facebook, Twitter on Xbox Live this fall

by JC Fletcher { Jun 1st 2009 at 2:56PM }

Felicia Day (of The Guild) just demonstrated a new Xbox Live version of Facebook. Facebook on Live uses NXE-style navigation, allows you to view both of your Xbox friends and your Facebook friends in the same interface. Most interesting: the ability to post text and even screens from in-game. So now, not only will you get to voice chat with annoying jerks on Live, you can see what they're playing and read about their chemistry exams or whatever.

Also: Twitter is coming to Xbox Live! We'd say more about it, but that isn't in the spirit of Twitter.

Gallery: Facebook / Twitter on Xbox 360

Konami Code Easter eggs dug up across the web

by Griffin McElroy { May 9th 2009 at 7:00AM }

Remember the short-lived Unicornification of ESPN.com which could be viewed by entering in the Konami Code? Turns out that's not the only site that can be modified by entering in everyone's favorite sequence of keystrokes. Check out the extremely aptly named KonamiCodeSites.com to see a list of pages that respond in various ways to the familiar tune of Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start (or Enter).

For instance, Facebook adds a lens flare effect once the code is entered. AdventureQuest Worlds shows a short flash clip featuring ... unicorns! (We're beginning to see a pattern here.) The best we've seen? The official site of jQuery, a JavaScript library program, loads up a Java-based Guitar Hero game when you input the code. Oh, and Joystiq? Every time you enter the code here, an angel gets its wings.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

PixelJunk 1-4 revealed via Facebook fan page

by Griffin McElroy { Apr 22nd 2009 at 2:28PM }

We're approaching the end of what could ostensibly be called "Early 2009," the tentative launch window for the fourth installment in Q-Games' aesthetically pleasing PixelJunk series, and details about said installment are slim. However, we were recently enlightened to the identity of the upcoming title -- albeit from an unconventional source. A recently added Facebook fan page allows you to throw your digital endorsement behind PixelJunk 1-4, which has yet to receive a catchier title.

The page includes a link to an event titled "PixelJunk 1-4 sells one million units at launch," as well as a few hilariously tiny pieces of artwork from the title, which Q-Games president Dylan Cuthbert promises to release more of as the group's membership grows. No details about the gameplay, release date or explanations of the curious moniker are included on the fan page, but now that the Pixel-ated cat's out of the bag, we expect to hear more soon.

[Via That VideoGame Blog]

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Trip Hawkins believes iPhone is 'freaking out' Nintendo & Sony

by Ben Gilbert { Apr 15th 2009 at 7:00PM }

The founder of EA and mobile developer Digital Chocolate, Trip Hawkins, thinks iPhone is the best thing since ~~sliced bread~~ Sega Genesis. In an interview with VentureBeat, the exec said, "We make as much money with these [iPhone] games on one device as we do putting a game on 100 different cell phone platforms." In fact, mobile developers are making so much money with games for iPhone, at such a low overhead, that Hawkins believes the iPhone is "freaking out" Sony and Nintendo.

And though Hawkins' company publishes games on the web and Facebook as well as for Apple's devices, he believes competitors (including Blackberry) to be stuck in the past. "Everybody else is a couple of years behind Apple" -- a notion that he credits to the iTunes Store's relative ubiquity among consumers even before the iPhone existed. "They've spent years building up those iTunes accounts and it's much easier for the money to flow." And not forcing consumers to convert to a ridiculous points currency probably doesn't hurt that flow either.

Eat cake, get into the Fat Princess beta

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 15th 2009 at 12:50PM }

Hurry and rush to a bakery! The first 250 people to take a picture of themselves eating cake will be eligible to gain access into the Fat Princess beta. To enter, simply snap a shot and upload it to PlayStation's Facebook fan page. This beta is a real beta -- not a glorified demo -- so you'll have to submit feedback and play it like a beta tester should.

Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to stop by the grocery to pick up some Devil's Food.

[Via PlayStation.Blog]

MI6: PS3-to-Facebook integration 'coming quicker than some may think' [update]

by David Hinkle { Apr 8th 2009 at 5:15PM }

Update: SCEA contacted us with this statement to clarify: "There's nothing imminent in the pipeline between PS3 and Facebook or any social media sites. The point Koller was making is that the day when the console market in general will have tighter integration with social media isn't too far off. SCEA is always evaluating opportunities that might expand where and how the PS3 community interacts."

The MI6 Games Marketing Summit is going on right now and our man on the scene, Randy Nelson, just dropped an interesting tidbit in our laps. During a panel titled "Casual to the Core: Redefining the Gaming Dynamic," SCEA's John Koller talked about social media and how it can affect the games space. When asked by panel moderator John Davison if there would ever be a point when someone could be playing PS3 and have it "spit out something to Facebook," Koller stated that plans are already afoot. He said that such functionality is "critical not just for marketing but for the types of games we're trying to develop. That day is coming quicker than some may think."

One must try to remain skeptical of this, however. Koller didn't say any specific Facebook implementation would be coming, and could have just been referring to social media interaction as a whole. Still, we must admit it's a great idea, if only for something small like real-time Trophy updates for your Facebook friends.

Namco releases downloadable arcade titles on Facebook

by Griffin McElroy { Mar 18th 2009 at 10:40AM }

Do you ever find yourself with too much free time whilst trolling around on Facebook? Between writing ominous truths in our acquaintances' honesty boxes, and attempting to form La Résistance against the new new Facebook, our time is admittedly limited -- though we might try to pencil in a brief session with Namco's recently launched, Facebookified versions of Pac-Man and Dig Dug.

The two games have some neat additional functionality, such as the ability to track stats and achievements on your Facebook profile. Sadly, the games can't be played in-browser -- it requires a small download to play. Even sadder: It's not free. Bumping the game up from a trial version to full version costs $9.99. We'll stick to our honesty box assaults -- anonymously hurting people's feelings is free, and far more satisfying.