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Joystiq Streams: Sex, lies, You Don't Know Jack, and free PS4/XB1 games
Something happens to people when they play anything made by Jackbox Games. You Don't Know Jack, Fibbage, Lie Swatter; these games bring out a cackling darkness that is both frightening and impossible to resist. Do friendships end because of the vicious yelling at the end of a round of You Don't Know Jack? Certainly, but just as many new alliances and unbreakable bonds are formed thanks to suppository jokes, deceit, and wordplay. If you've ever wanted to see the Joystiq staff destroy each other with language while also winning some free PlayStation 4 and Xbox One games, here's your chance. Starting at 4:00PM EST on Joystiq.com/Twitch, we'll be streaming select games from the Jackbox Party Pack. A murder of Joystiq editors will play alongside Jackbox's own Steve Heinrich, one of the creators and head writers on You Don't Know Jack. We'll also be doling out download codes for the Jackbox Party Pack on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Joystiq.com/Twitch broadcasts every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00PM EST, but we stream other times as well so make sure to follow us on Twitch. [Images: Jackbox Games]
You Don't Know Jack dev's Fibbage cons its way onto PS4 and PS3
Jackbox Games has a new PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 game, and it's called _____. Cookie Masterson's Slow Roast Fun Time! You Don't Know Jane! Video Games: Serious Business! In Fibbage, the actual name of the game, eight players can enter whatever they want attempting to convince other players of their carefully crafted lie. If they believe you, you win. Previously only available on Xbox One and Amazon Fire TV, Fibbage is now a cross-buy game on PS4 and PS3, letting you purchase it on one and download it again on the other. Fibbage is in practice similar to the old parlor game Bullshit, but with a couple of twists. First, the game is hosted and narrated by the aforementioned You Don't Know Jack host Cookie Masterson. Second, it foregoes traditional controllers. While matches are limited to eight players, they can use their smartphone or tablet to play rather than a Dualshock. Game sessions generate a code which the players enter at Fibbage.com via their handheld and get going. The need for a screen keeps multiplayer sessions primarily local, but they can be also set up by streaming the game through Twitch. Show full PR text "YOU DON'T KNOW JACK®" Studio Releases Critically-Acclaimed Fibbage™ Today on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 - 8 Players Can Play Using Mobile Phones and Tablets as Controllers PlayStation®4 Twitch Integration Allows Multiplayer Fibbage Sessions Over Livestream CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – September 16, 2014 – Independent developer Jackbox Games today announced the release of Fibbage™: The Hilarious Bluffing Party Game as a digital-only title on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system. The game was recently released to rave reviews as a digital-only title on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft via the ID@Xbox self-publishing program. Fibbage is the studio's newest, comedy-infused trivia party game. The game challenges players to fool their friends with lies, avoid selecting their friends' lies, and find the (usually zany) truths to some very unusual facts. Up to 8 players can play together on their PlayStation®3 system, PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One or Amazon Fire TV, simply by using their mobile phones or tablets (or even laptops) as controllers. Players log in via a website and type in a room code to join the game, thus eliminating the need for multiple controllers and expanding the number of people who can play on a console in one room at a game night or party. While Fibbage is primarily a live, couch-play game, it is also easily streamable and playable via Twitch. All you need is a device with an internet connection; find a Fibbage Twitch stream, enter the host-provided code on fibbage.com or scan the QR code on the page and you're in! "Fibbage, like all of the games we are working on, is easy-in," said Mike Bilder, GM of Jackbox Games. "You just need a mobile phone or tablet connected to the Internet. We've eliminated what we feel is the major sticking point for party video games – the need for a bunch of controllers and/or an entire set of fake musical instruments." Fibbage features outrageous but incomplete facts. For example, if asked the question: "The French have a pastry called Nun's ____," players could enter lies such as "Buns," "Muffin," or "Delight." Players can get as creative as they want, or use a suggestion if they get stuck. The game is hosted by popular YOU DON'T KNOW JACK emcee Cookie Masterson. Fibbage is a cross-buy title, meaning that if you buy it on the PlayStation®4 system, you also get it on the PlayStation®3 system, and vice versa. Fibbage was released recently on Xbox One and Amazon Fire TV to overwhelmingly positive reviews. Both games use mobile devices as controllers, eliminating a major friction point for live gameplay with big groups. For more information visit www.jackboxgames.com. To join the conversation, like the game on Facebook® and follow us on Twitter®. About Jackbox Games Jackbox Games, formerly Jellyvision Games, is a developer and publisher of games on leading gaming platforms. The studio's flagship title, YOU DON'T KNOW JACK, has been called "the greatest quiz-show game ever made" by The Onion's A.V. Club and "triumphant, hilarious, even enlightening" by The New York Times. Fibbage is the studio's first cross-platform console release since the most recent YOU DON'T KNOW JACK. The company is located in Chicago, Illinois.
You Don't Know Jack dev brings two games to Amazon Fire TV
While the Amazon Fire TV is "absolutely not a game console," developers such as Telltale Games and now Jackbox Games are already supporting the media-streaming device. The Chicago-based developer launched both You Don't Know Jack Party and a new trivia party game Fibbage for free on the Fire TV today. You Don't Know Jack Party first arrived on iOS last fall. Fibbage, like You Don't Know Jack Party, uses smartphones and tablets as game controllers while linking up with the Fire TV for big-screen multiplayer sessions. In it, up to eight players trick one another by filling in the blanks of trivia statements with lies as they see fit. Each round of play lasts seven questions and includes special categories like "Celebrity Tweets" and "Road Trip." The free version of Fibbage offers a "handful" of questions, while the paid upgrade of Fibbage brings with it hundreds more. Jackbox didn't offer a price for the upgraded version, though it noted plans to launch DLC for the game in the future. Amazon just announced (and launched) the Fire TV today for $99. [Image: Jackbox Games]
You Don't Know Jack Steam bundle celebrates 18 funny years
The You Don't Know Jack Classic Pack is now available on Steam. The $20 bundle offers players the original games in the series stretching back to 1995's Vol. 1 XL. Each of the nine trivia games are available individually for $2.99 save for Vol. 6, which costs $1.99. The Classic Pack is a $5.92 discount on the combined price of the games. Developer Jackbox Games, formerly Jellyvision Games, has since developed You Don't Know Jack for a number of platforms. The developer updated the Facebook and mobile versions of the latest entry in the trivia series to unlock free and unlimited daily access for all users, and the $2.99 "Royale" upgrade offers in-game bonuses and strips away ads from the game.
You Don't Know Jack goes free on Facebook, mobile
Jackbox Games released an update for the iOS, Android, and browser-based Facebook versions of its sassy-molasses trivia app You Don't Know Jack, unlocking unlimited play and free daily access for all players. Previously, You Don't Know Jack players were limited to a set number of plays per day, with additional sessions unlockable via in-app purchases. The latest update retains the ad-supported model of previous versions while eliminating daily limits. You Don't Know Jack also offers a $2.99 "Royale" upgrade, which unlocks ad-free play and a cornucopia of in-game bonuses.
Jellyvision Games is now Jackbox Games
Jellyvision Games, who you likely best know for You Don't Know Jack, changed its name to Jackbox Games today. In a press release, Jackbox says the new name better represents the Chicago studio's expansion into "a full-fledged new-generation publisher for multiple games on social and mobile platforms, Roku, and now Ouya." "The rebranding of our studio represents the completion of an evolution," said general manager Mike Bilder in the same press release. "Today, Jackbox Games not only has the creative and technical resources to make great games, but we're seizing on the opportunity presented by new generation platforms to bring more games to market ourselves - however and wherever they best fit." Much of Jackbox's success comes from its You Don't Know Jack series, which has sold more than five million copies on consoles and PC. Last year, You Don't Know Jack was installed over 3.5 million times after apps rolled out on Facebook and mobile devices. Jackbox introduced Lie Swatter, where you attempt to discern false statements from the truth, on iOS in April and has two other originals planned for 2013: Clone Booth and Word Putz.
You Don't Know Jack on Ouya June 11, JackPad app makes phone a controller
On June 11, Jellyvision's popular trivia series, You Don't Know Jack, will make its debut on Ouya. An 11-question multiplayer episode is free to sample, and for $10 you can add 20 new episodes. A free companion app for iOS and Android called JackPad will be available alongside the game. JackPad turns your mobile device into an additional controller, so you don't need four Ouya controllers to play multiplayer. Ouya was slated to launch at retail on June 4 but was recently pushed back to June 25. Ouya CEO Julie Uhrman told Joystiq this three-week delay was in order to meet higher than expected demand.
You Don't Know Jack creators seek truth in Lie Swatter on iOS
Jellyvision Games, stokers of the trivia flame in You Don't Know Jack, have created a new game in which you smash flying fibs for points. Some of the themes of common misconception in Lie Swatter include Sharks, Internet Dating and Japan.Lie Swatter is available as a free, ad-supported app on iOS. You can pay to opt into an ad-free experience for $1.99, or add tokens in various increments for in-game boosts.
You Don't Know Jack gets celebrity guests
I am a big fan of the You Don't Know Jack series as a whole, and I think the recently released iOS version is one of the best ways to play the game: It's social, it's quick and easy, and oh yeah, it's completely free. And now that version is getting even better -- Jellyvision has made some deals to include celebrity guests in the game. Not only will celebrities appear over the phone during the entire show (similar to the old "celebrity phone call" gag on the old versions of YDKJ, which I really loved), but they'll also have a place in the competition, competing alongside you and your Facebook friends as you play. The first celebrity picked to join the game is Mad Men's Rich Sommer, and model Adrienne Curry is set to join the game next, with other updates coming out on a monthly basis. I played through Sommer's show, and it's certainly chock full of plugs for his TV show, so presumably there's either some money going back and forth for these appearances, or the guys at Jellyvision are just big fans of AMC. Even if these are paid appearances, I'm not bothered. YDKJ is a great game that's been offering lots of great free content, and adding in celebrities in this way is an excellent way to both liven up the formula and keep the lights on. You can play the first celebrity ep of the game on iOS now, and more should be available soon.
Best of the Rest: Mike Suszek's picks of 2012
Joystiq is revealing its 10 favorite games of 2012 throughout the week. Keep reading for more top selections and every writer's personal, impassioned picks in Best of the Rest roundups. FIFA Soccer 13I'd argue that sports games haven't quite accomplished what EA Canada managed to do this year with FIFA 13: Mix in a subtle sense of unpredictability that you'd expect from the sport the game represents. FIFA 13's first touch controls forces players to calculate their decisions on the field more carefully than ever before, as one bad bounce can create an opening for your opponent. Layered with that unpredictability and an always-improving AI is the EA Sports Football Club Catalogue, which builds on the XP system pervasive throughout the game by offering players in-game rewards for their efforts. FIFA 13 is a complete game, and is unquestionably my favorite sports game of 2012.
Daily iPhone App: You Don't Know Jack returns in Facebook form
You may be surprised to see the classic You Don't Know Jack here in this space again, as we've already covered it as a daily app. But that version is no longer on the App Store, and the new version that appeared yesterday is a completely different game, this time based on the Facebook version of the ubiquitous trivia title. As such, this version is played best with a Facebook account hooked up to it, but it's not needed -- you can still log in and play the game as a guest if you'd rather keep things more private. Aside from that Facebook functionality, this is essentially the same game we've loved ever since it first appeared on PC back in the day. Faithful host Cookie runs you through daily games of trivia questions, featuring wickedly hilarious puns and jokes, old favorites like Dis or Dat and of course the game-ending Jack Attack. Odds are you've played this game more than a few times before, but this is all new content yet again, so there's new fun to be had. The game also includes some freemium elements, like power-ups to boost your score, and various unlocks to be purchased with the cash you earn from the game. But all of that stuff is just extra, really -- this is the world's best trivia game reincarnated in a great new form. If you're a fan of the old YDKJ (and how can you not be?), definitely give it a download.
You Don't Know Jack on eye oh ess now
You Don't Know Jack is available now as a free download on Apple mobile devices, developer Jellyvision announced today. The app is available through the App Store for:A) iPadS) iPhoneD) iPod TouchF) All of the above, silly.The answer is F, which happens to be the first letter of Facebook, which was the latest platform the irreverent trivia game found itself on before iOS. Both Facebook and iOS players have access to the same content, with Cookie Masterson taking on hosting duties.
Deepworld, You Don't Know Jack, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, and more available now
We're deep in the holiday season at this point, and right now that means dozens (if not more) of game developers out there are getting their best and brightest titles out onto the App Store, making sure they're all ready to download when the Christmas rush rolls around. Here's a look at some of the biggest new App Store releases today. Deepworld isn't brand new, but it is out for the iPad -- it's a great sandbox-style building game that we've been covering here at TUAW for quite a while. It's available as a free download right now. Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy is a great music game that originally appeared on the 3DS, but has now brought its Final Fantasy-based music/RPG gameplay to iOS. It's available as a free download with two songs to play, though if you want more, you'll have to buy them with in-app purchases. You Don't Know Jack has been on iOS before, but today we've got a brand new (free!) version of the title that appears to be ported from the Facebook version. It features the same old quiz show gameplay, now with updates from your friends through the big blue social network. Fluxx is a really incredible card game, and it's now been ported over to iOS as well. You can buy the whole thing for $2.99. Mike Lee's new Lemurs Chemistry game is available for $1.99. SNK has released a port of the original Metal Slug as a $1.99 game. As expected, Disney's Monsters Inc. Run has appeared. It's a mashup of Mega Run and the great Pixar movie, available for 99 cents. Zooniverse is a brand new free-to-play zoo building game from Chillingo. This isn't a new app, but Finger Tied finally got its big level sharing update, so definitely download that and check it out. If you don't have it already, the app is 99 cents. And finally, for those of you who appreciate soccer/football and managing it, Football Manager Handheld 2013 was released by Sega. The game's $9.99, and... it looks complicated. There you go! Stay tuned for full reviews and more insight on these apps and all of the others due out this holiday season here on the site.
You Don't Know Jack coming to iOS and Android in the 'very near future'
You Don't Know Jack will land on iOS in the "very near future," Jellyvision announced on their Facebook page. The announcement was coupled with the appropriately demeaning video seen above.Jellyvision began testing the Android version of the game recently, so no solid release date was announced for it. Not that "the very near future" was helpful for iPhone and iPad users looking to get their trivia on. The mobile versions of You Don't Know Jack were first announced in April 2011.
You Don't Know Jack ditching Facebook credits for Tokens system
We reported on You Don't Know Jack coming to Facebook, so it's only fair that we follow-up as the game sheds parts of its entrenchment in the service. You Don't Know Jack is ditching Facebook credits for "Tokens," which will "simplify things and allow you to earn your way to more free games," Jellyvision writes.Tokens give Jellyvision more freedom while keeping much of the existing credits framework in place: "You'll use Tokens to play games, get Performance Enhancers and collect other stuff we'll be releasing in the near future, like hidden commercials, new lifelines and other stuff." That "other stuff" includes the ability to offer discounted games, something that Jellyvision can't do with Facebook credits.Players with games stashed up will see an even transfer once the Tokens switch takes place, whenever that may be.
You Don't Know Jack about proposals until you've seen this video
What happens when one Jellyvision superfan combines his love for You Don't Know Jack with the adoration for his girlfriend? Cookie Masterson intervenes and ... well, you really should just watch the video and find out. "Adorable" comes to mind.
You Don't Know Jack is live on Facebook, as garish and fun as ever
Our editor-in-chief just told everyone on staff, "You don't know jack," which at first we chalked up to another moment of him flaunting his immense gaming and grammatical intelligence while we all cower in terrified inadequacy. Turns out he wanted us to write a post, but now we don't know who this Jack guy is or why he's so newsworthy.Whatever – in unrelated news, You Don't Know Jack is now available for anyone to play on Facebook and holy snack cakes, we just figured out what our EIC wanted us to write about. Now who's dumb, huh?
You Don't Know Jack and Cookie Masterson want to be your new Facebook friends
We don't know about you, but You Don't Know Jack's charismatic host Cookie Masterson sure seems like a swell fellow; the kind of guy who takes to Facebook only to post photos of cats doing silly things, and potentially show his friends pictures of his newly shaven dome. We say this because we now have a new way to interact with Mr. Masterson through – you guessed it – You Don't Know Jack, now on Facebook.The game is currently in closed beta, but I signed up to be a beta tester and was already in before this post was finished. Also, yup, I did play a round right quick, and it was totally awesome. In so many words, it's You Don't Know Jack, but played asychronously against Facebook friends. Rounds are shorter, and there's some microtransaction stuff in there, but it's pretty much the same game you've been playing (and loving) for 20 years.Regardless, it's free and seemingly unobtrusive in regards to your Facebook account, which sounds like a big winner to us.
Best of the Rest: Ben's picks for 2011
Battlefield 3 The time I've spent with Battlefield 3 this year is only bested by the many, many hours I've spent stalking dragons in Skyrim. The hours with BF3, however, were distinctly more dense, while I shouted at teammates to provide cover fire, slowly inching towards a heavily-guarded objective, or lead the charge on an enemy base from the driver's seat of a large, mobile, metal death box. It's a crime that Battlefield 3 isn't on our top 10 list, because it's by far the best multiplayer shooter experience available, and it's certainly this year's best (in yet another year with several genre entries, including an Infinity Ward-developed CoD title). The main campaign isn't very good, sure, and the co-op is even less impressive, but the "Battlefield Moments™" you'll experience in multiplayer more than make up for the package's shortcomings. Worried you've been waiting too long and won't be able to compete? BF3 mitigates that with support classes, allowing players of all types to participate. Squad up on Team [JOY]!
Best of the Rest: Alexander's picks of 2011
Dead Space 2 I am a passionate man. When Dead Space 2 was overlooked by several of my fellow editors, preventing it from attaining a rightful place in our top ten, I briefly contemplated a multi-city tour. The plan was simple: ring their doorbell, smack them across the face, cross their name off a list and move on to the next deserving victim. My main reason Dead Space 2 deserved a spot in our top ten: At times, I forgot to breathe. Dead Space 2 was a game of tension and release. I found myself gasping for air after several scenes, so focused on whatever new necromorph horror was trying to splay me that the part of my brain regulating natural respiration was overridden by the section screaming, "SHOOT IT! SHOOT IT WITH SO MUCH QUICKNESS AND RUN!" For the sake of levity, if I had it my way, there would have been several moments where protagonist Isaac Clarke pulled out Handi-Snacks, lifted his visor and pouted about whatever danger he'd face beyond the next airlock.
