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Radeon HD 6990 pictured, GeForce GTX 590 rumored for PAX East 2011 reveal
Multiple cores are old hat, particularly in the GPU world where you can have hundreds of simultaneous processing units working in concert, but multiple GPUs on the same PCB, that's still exciting territory (not least because of the crazy thermal and power requirements that go with it). AMD and NVIDIA are set to clash horns on this field of battle once again, fishing for mindshare as much as they are for high premium sales, with the Radeon HD 6990 and GeForce GTX 590, respectively. The former has already slipped out of the shadows of mystery to reveal a size slightly longer than an A4 sheet of paper, while the latter is being rumored for an unveiling at the PAX East 2011 gamer gathering. Expected GTX 590 specs include 1,024 total CUDA cores, 3GB of onboard RAM with dual 384-bit memory controllers, and three DVI outputs for some single-card 3D Vision Surround gaming. This year's PAX East is kicking off on March 11th and AMD is also looking very close to launching its part, so you should need no more than a couple of weeks' worth of patience before everything about the latest and greatest from both camps is known.
New SpyParty video walkthrough sneaks around The Balcony, onto The Veranda
In case you didn't already know, SpyParty is being made by one dude -- ex-EA developer turned one-man indie studio, Chris Hecker. As we've been covering his game leading up to GDC, we asked if Hecker would perhaps give us a taste of the two new levels he'll be debuting at next week's show in video form. Normally, this might not be such a high-level request, but when you're one man with a family and a game to develop, well ... let's just say we really appreciate how late he stayed up last night. Check out the full four-minute walkthrough of both "The Balcony" and "The Veranda" maps just after the break. GDC won't be your only chance to check out the lastest SpyParty demo. Hecker will be making the cross-country trip to PAX East in March with the new build in tow. Just remember to play it cool!%Gallery-117474%
SWTOR fans gather in droves for PAX East
Although I doubt it has Blue Milk, the Times Irish Bar does have a nice cold beer, or at least the Star Wars: The Old Republic fans hope so when they visit during PAX East. The event hasn't even started, but you can almost hear Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes tuning up now for the SWTOR Community Cantina. What is the SWTOR Community Cantina, you ask? I'm surprised you don't know. Fansites, Massively, and just plain-old SWTOR fans have decided that one gathering just wasn't enough for a game as epic as SWTOR. Do any of these names seems familiar to you -- Pete, Dover, Orionark, Musco, Samm, Brooks, Zach, Lordhammer, Vall, Lethality, Kathy, and Roxanne? Maybe you're more familiar with the fansites they represent: Darth Hater, TOROcast, Mos Eisley Radio, TORSyndicate, AskAJedi, and Corellian Run Radio. If you're just dying to meet any of these people or are a fan of Star Wars: The Old Republic, come to Boston's Times Irish Bar during PAX East on March 11th at 7:00 p.m. EST for the SWTOR Community Cantina. While you're there, you can give me a high-five, too. We can party like it's 4,000 BBY!
Turbine's Fernando Paiz to keynote PAX East IGDA conference
PAX East is less than half a month away, promising to be a good time for fans and developers alike. Considering that it's one of the only major gaming conventions in the northeast, we're not surprised that the International Game Developer's Association would have a presence, hosting both a series of panels on breaking into game design and a developer summit. It's the latter that's of the greatest interest to MMO fans, as the summit's keynote speaker is Fernando Paiz of Dungeons and Dragons Online fame. Taking place on Saturday, March 12th at 10:00 a.m. EST, Paiz's keynote speech is titled "The Game Monetization Revolution: Embracing new business models that are good for both players and developers." While the content of the speech is not known, odds are good that it will cover the successful Dungeons and Dragons Online free-to-play switch as well as what it means for the future of games in general. It's an interesting kickoff to the summit, and it shows just how much impact MMOs are having on the larger game industry.
CCP hides valuable information within QR code
Being a bit devious and underhanded in EVE Online is pretty much the basic standard of interaction. CCP's flagship game has built itself a reputation of rewarding the clever and the analytical, but the developers themselves have only occasionally taken part in the antics themselves. The development team has gone a step further this time, however, posting a bit of valuable information for fans... in the form of a QR code, with no further hints for players. Players with smartphones and other QR readers have already deciphered the meaning of the square, which promises a fan gathering at PAX East in Boston. There will be developers, drinks, and an event exclusive, but players will be required to mail their first and last names as well as their character names to paxeast2011@ccpgames.com in order to attend. It promises to be a fun time for EVE Online fans -- and while it's a bit of a sneaky way of making the announcement, really, it's par for the course. [Thanks to Prime Synergy for the tip!]
Joystiq Blueberry Muffin Tops Breakfast at PAX East Part 2: Blueberry Boogaloo
Tradition. A word we are happy to use in describing our Second Annual Joystiq Blueberry Muffin Tops Breakfast at PAX East, brought to you by the fabulous folks at Malt-O-Meal and your buddies at Joystiq, who already have a couple things planned for the convention. If you're heading to PAX East and will be around on Saturday, March 12, please feel free to join us for the exceptional price of free, for the galaxy's finest cereal (yes, galaxy, we've talked to aliens): Blueberry Muffin Tops. The only catch... nope! No catch this year. Just show up at room 052 at 10AM on Saturday. The room does only hold about 500 people, so please be aware of that. If it sounds like we're going to be overwhelmed, we may implement a bracelet system like last year, which we'll certainly announce on the site. For now, if you're planning on attending, please let us know on the event's Facebook page and follow any updates on Twitter: @JoystiqBBMT. Thank you so much to Malt-O-Meal's Blueberry Muffin Tops for sponsoring this event, it absolutely couldn't have been possible without their support and delicious, delicious cereal.
PAX East schedule revealed, cancel your Friday plans
Attending PAX East this year? You'll probably want to start strategizing your route through the maze of panels, speeches and presentations that'll take place over the weekend of March 11, using the recently revealed event schedule as your guide -- one event in particular is unmissable.
PSA: PAX East 3-day passes 'going fast'
The official PAX Twitter is warning that there are fewer than 1,000 3-day passes left for PAX East in Boston next month. The feed warns that the last of the passes are "going fast." If last year's attendance figures are any indication, take the warning seriously. The PAX folks tell us that the show schedule should be available on Monday, possibly today. If you're looking to only attend one day, it's a tough choice: we can tell you that the Joystiq Podcast will have a live show at the convention on Friday, X3F Live will be on Saturday and our distinguished editor-in-chief, Chris Grant, will host two panels on Sunday.
Jane McGonigal talks about the goodness of games on The Colbert Report
Want to get a sneak peek of some of the subject matter that'll likely be the focal point of Jane McGonigal's PAX East keynote speech? Well, the most thorough way to do so would likely be to read McGonigal's newest book, Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World -- however, the fastest way would be to check out her interview on last night's episode of The Colbert Report. She's got some pretty stellar ideas about how video games and the people who play them make the world a better place -- though Colbert can't help but take some jabs about both. Get all the "driving over hookers" and "Cheetos dust" jokes you can handle after the jump.
Wear a Twisted Pixel costume to PAX East for chance to appear in a game
Already lining up your established video game intellectual property-themed wardrobe for the upcoming festivities at PAX East 2011? You might want to throw a costume based on one of Twisted Pixels' creations into the mix, as the developer announced over Twitter that one lucky 'Splosion Man, The Maw, Comic Jumper or Ms. 'Splosion Man cosplayer who comes to the studio's booth on the show floor will have a character modeled after them appear in an upcoming title of its choosing. "This will be a 'walk on role' for lack of a better term, as a character somewhere in the game. Background of this character will depend on where we feel they can fit in the story," a Twisted Pixel rep explained to Joystiq in more detail. "The winner will be updated on the status of their character and what game it will be when we get close to announcing the title." Everyone who stops by the booth in-costume will end up on Twisted Pixel's official website, while three runners-up will get their names in the credits of the unspecified game -- everyone, of course, has a chance to play those unreleased games.The studio also promises a very special prize for folks who show up as the increasingly infamous MaXplosion -- "a kick to the face." We think they were joking, but just to be safe, you'd better not.
Ms. 'Splosion Man and unannounced Twisted Pixel title playable at PAX East
In a decidedly non-volatile discussion over email, Twisted Pixel told Joystiq this evening that both Ms. Splosion Man and a second, unannounced title will be playable at this March's PAX East. Without going into any detail whatsoever, the rep added that the second game will be revealed "soon" (as in "before PAX East") and, yes, it's the project that ex-Harmonix senior designer Dan Teasdale has been working on -- TP also noted that the unannounced title has "a lot of dudes working hard on it," so don't go getting things twisted. If that weren't enough, TP promises "Matt "Chainsaw" Chaney wil be there with ukelele in hand to play something special for the fans at different times of day," which is wonderful each and every time. We'll be there as well, cheering in the crowd. You'll know it's us because we won't have shirts on.
Producer's letter for City of Heroes hints at the future and promises big improvements
It's the start of a new year, one that already promises to be an exciting one for fans of superheroic MMOs. DC Universe Online is launching tomorrow, Champions Online will be going free-to-play early this year, and City of Heroes is not sitting down either. In what we hope might be a new monthly tradition, fans have been treated to a brand-new producer's letter that looks back at the year before and begins peering ahead to the next 12 months while also hinting at some of the more interesting new additions to the game. Among the more interesting revelations are the promise of a double XP weekend this month, as well as more information regarding Praetoria's Hamidon when PAX East rolls around. The development team is also hoping to step up its communication this year, both from well-known members of the team and from some of the newer talent with less public exposure. While another expansion might not be in the works for City of Heroes in the near future, fans can take a look at the full letter on the site and rest easy -- it promises to be a very interesting year.
PAX East Indie Showcase now taking applications
Do you work at a small, Boston-area game company? Would you like thousands and thousands of people to see your game? If so, sign up for PAX East's Boston Indie Showcase. Penny Arcade is accepting applications today through January 11. Not only will people at the show see your game, but it'll be announced on the site. Last year's Showcase ... showcased six games, including Slam Bolt Scrappers and AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! A Reckless Disregard for Gravity. We encourage you to enter, especially if your game's title is easier to remember and/or type than those.
PAX East 2011 registration now live
Tickets for PAX East 2011 are available now: $35 for a single-day pass or $55 for the three-day pass. The successful East Coast gaming event is set to return to Boston, March 11–13; this time at the larger Boston Convention & Exhibition Center down by the harbor. The event sold out early last year, and despite this year's larger venue, it's probably best to grab those tickets now if you know you'll attend. A list of hotels participating in a discount program for attendees should be available next week. So, who wants a second serving of Blueberry Muffin Tops Breakfast at PAX East? %Gallery-89141%
PAX East organizers sign on for three more years
Did things feel a little crowded at PAX East this year? Organizers chose the Hynes Convention Center over the larger Boston Convention Center due to its superior location (and possibly because they were testing the waters for the first year), and the roughly 60,000 attendees were left with not much elbow room. That won't be an issue next year. Or the next one, or the one after that. The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority has signed an agreement with the PAX organizers to bring PAX East back for three years. Even better, they'll be setting up shop at the roomier Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. "We're thrilled to host PAX through 2013, and we can't wait to welcome the show to the BCEC in 2011," said Convention Center Authority Executive Director James E. Rooney. You can check out the full story in the Boston Globe.
Inaugural PAX East has 52,290 attendees, returns to Boston next March
Although initial predictions for PAX East attendance planned for the show to be bigger than PAX in Seattle, the final count came in at 52,290 -- still, a respectable start for the annual East Coast geek-a-palooza. Event organizers aren't ready to set dates, but have confirmed that the show will return in March of 2011 to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. If you missed any of our coverage, and there was a lot of it, check it out here: PAX East 2010. %Gallery-89141%
PAX East returns to Boston in 2011 and 2012, in bigger venue
It appears the East Coast has an annual gaming mega-convention to call its own, as the Penny Arcade Expo East officially locks into Boston for two years. The wildly successful inaugural year had an estimated 60,000 attendees (twice the number originally planned for), which has led organizers to move the show from the Hynes Convention Center to the much larger Boston Convention & Exhibition Center for 2011 and 2012. Although the extra space will be welcomed by publishers and attendees, the other convention center is inconveniently located (especially by Boston standards) down by the harbor. While the Hynes, which is located downtown by Copley, may have been a little cramped, it's surrounded by shops and restaurants for meetups. Penny Arcade's Mike Krahulik told Joystiq, "We had assumed we would be in [the Hynes] for what? Three years, I think? That was our initial idea. And already this will be our only year here. We have to move it next year." It'll be interesting to see how publishers treat PAX East in 2011. With no other major show in the first half of the year except for the Game Developers Conference, which attendees have complained for years has lost its way by having a larger media presence, PAX East could be the new place to make announcements. Especially if this year-round major game release calendar we've seen in 2010 becomes permanent. Penny Arcade's Jerry Holkins spoke about PAX East's place in the industry and the recent occurrence of major releases outside the fourth quarter saying, "I think the problem is [publishers] never had a place to promote those releases, and if they're given a place to promote those releases – this is what [Penny Arcade's business guru] Robert [Khoo] has heard when he talks to the people he talks to to get the show going – they need a place that can attract you and can attract the people who play games ... enthusiasts in general, not industry observers." %Gallery-89141%
