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Lego Harry Potter trailer previews cast of 'Spellbinding' characters
We admit it: This latest trailer for Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 resonates with us in a big, big way. How could we not be on board with a video that shows how nearly every character from the first four books has been transmogrified into Lego form? That's like a sure-fire recipe for nerd ambrosia. So, Lego Harry's good at flying on brooms, Lego Hermione is good at puzzle-solving and Lego Ron is good at ... being a good friend? We guess?
Block some spells with the Lego Harry Potter demo on XBLM
Or should that be: spell some blocks? Anyway, the point is that a Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 demo is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Finally, you can relive all the great moments from the books. Like when Harry accidentally summoned the Staypuft Marshmallow Man, or when Hermione flew the Millennium Falcon through the Death Star. Okay, so none of those things happened, but it's been like three years since the last book came out. Give us a break. Xbox.com: Add Lego Harry Potter demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
Jagex Founders join Sunday Times Rich List
Earlier this month, we talked a bit about the impressive revenue and profits that Jagex have seen over the past few years, mostly thanks to the long-running success of Runescape. The company began small but saw steadily increasing success over the years, eventually pulling in record profits. The revenue numbers gave Jagex another feather in their cap as founders Andrew and Paul Gower joined the Sunday Times Rich List with their £138 million fortune. The brothers earned another £39 million in 2009, making them the "483rd richest in the UK, ahead of the likes of David Bowie (£100m), Sir Tom Jones (£135m) and Phil Collins (£108m)." Solely from a game industry standpoint, the runner-up for the richest developer title goes to Jon Burton, the developer of Traveller's Tales. He netted a respectable £75 million when his company was purchased by Time Warner. Check out the full story at Develop Online. [via Gamasutra]
Lego Harry Potter building a magical May release
The boy who lived will make his brick-tacular debut when Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 rides a broomstick to every major gaming platform this May. It'll be interesting to see if the retail magic is there with the Hogwarts pupil, as it was for other mega-franchises like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Batman. Lego Harry Potter will apply the standard TT Games treatment to the series, dividing the first four movies (and rectangular objects known as books) into levels. If the idea of playing Quidditch with a flying plastic cube interests you, congratulations! You're the target audience for this game. Speaking of which, where's our Lego Dune?
Traveler's Tales director assesses Sony and Microsoft motion control
Speaking to Develop, Traveller's Tales director Jon Burton voiced concerns about Microsoft's motion control solution, Project Natal. Specifically, Burton stated that Natal's lack of controller input as well as input lag could limit the kinds of games made for it, though he did admit that the device is "exceedingly clever." Burton prefers Sony's motion controller, noting that it will be "cheap, accurate and will put buttons at your fingertips," which should make it suitable for a wide range of games. Still, Burton admits he was "stunned" by the technical wizardry of Natal. With the experience of having his own motion capture studio at TT, Burton states that getting "anything resembling mo-cap" in real-time from a single camera is "nothing short of amazing." For what it's worth, Burton has not used a final version of the device. We noted Natal's input lag when we tried it at TGS earlier this year, where Microsoft's Kudo Tsunoda assured us the final product would iron out, or at least ameliorate, the issue.
LucasArts whipping up online co-op patch for Lego Indy 2
Soon, friends who see that you're playing Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues on Xbox Live or PlayStation Network won't need to sit idol-y by -- they'll be able to join in. LucasArts has tweeted that it's working on a patch that will bring online co-op play to the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the latest Lego game on the block. What's more, the publisher has also confirmed that the patch will let players collaborate in the game's level editor, tweeting, "In LIJ2's new co-op, you'll be able to join others as they build and play their levels." As for timing, LucasArts says to "give it a few weeks" before the update is transported by submarine from Cairo to a secret island base Microsoft and Sony's servers.
Saints Row 2, LEGO Indy hit Games on Demand
As promised, both Saints Row 2 and LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures are now available on Xbox Live Games on Demand. The games are available in almost all regions, though Saints Row 2 is not available in Japan, while LEGO Indy skips both Japan and Mexico. Saints Row 2 is $29.99 in the US and Lego Indy is $19.99. Prices vary by region though, so check before you plunk down those MS Points. Add Saints Row 2 to your 360 download queue Add LEGO Indiana Jones to your 360 download queue
Whipping out a new Lego Indiana Jones 2 trailer
LucasArts has released a new trailer for LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues. Fans of Raiders of the Lost Ark -- everyone, basically -- are in for a treat, as the trailer reenacts the film's bar fight in Nepal, including some hot Nazi hand-burning action. Of course, as we've come to expect from the LEGO series, the action doesn't unfold quite like it does in the movie, opting instead for charming shtick. Let's just hope the game doesn't nuke the fridge.
David Bowie invites us all to dance in latest Lego Rock Band trailer
No, really, that's David Bowie. Click for a higher-resolution peak Warner Bros. today announced the inclusion of David Bowie as a second playable character in upcoming music/rhythm game, Lego Rock Band, and also handed over a mess of new media seen above and below. Coupled with last month's Iggy Pop announcement , the game's playable-musician-who-probably-shouldn't-be-in-a kids-game quotient has officially been doubled. One major plus for Bowie: Lego character gender ambiguity is all the more fitting. Bravo, MTV Games! Now that's synergy. %Gallery-74836%
LEGO Indiana Jones 2 trailer is intentionally blocky
Even though many of your trusted Joystiq editors are a little old to be playing with toys (there's an age limit?), we can't deny having a huge soft spot for the LEGO franchise tribute games. So, of course we're excited that the Indiana Jones films are being remastered block-mastered again, since we heart them too. (Actually, don't get us started on the last one -- sheesh!)As this newly released trailer shows, the tongue-in-cheek humor, charm and co-op play that's made the previous LEGO offerings so appealing doesn't seem to have been turned town in the tiniest for LEGO Indiana Jones 2 -- and we can't wait to create some truly weird stuff with the new level editor. We're thinking of awarding a prize to the editor who devises the most ingenious and playfully painful way to get rid of "Mutt" -- preferably as fast as possible -- since all of our pleas to Lucas to write him out of canon have thus far gone ignored.
LEGO + Rock Band = debut gameplay trailer
You will be totally surprised by this, the very first gameplay trailer for LEGO Rock Band. MTV Multiplayer has secured the exclusive unveiling of this -- the ultimate merging of LEGO and music gameplay. Finally! The construction toy/music game niche can finally stop sending their creepy fanfics to Harmonix as their prayers have finally been answered.Are you ready to brick your pants? Check out the trailer after the break.
Lego Harry Potter magically appearing in 2010
Warner Bros. and Traveller's Tales have finally announced that Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 is coming to all major platforms, including 9 3/4. (That's some tragic Hogwarts humor for y'all.) The game will release on "next generation console and handheld" consoles sometime next year.We'd go into more detail, but who hasn't played a Lego [fill in major franchise name here] yet? Seriously, we need a picture of a Lego cow's shriveled and dry teat.
Blizzard tops list of 2008's 'most successful' game devs
The game industry's annual popularity contest has begun making the rounds, and among game developers in 2008 there was none more in vogue than Activision stepchild Blizzard. According to Develop 100, a list of "the world's most successful games developers," the dev WoW-ed its peers from atop a mountain of money with more than a billion dollars in revenue each year from retail and online sales. Other notables on the list include 2007's top company, Nintendo, which was forced to settle for second, followed by GTA's Rockstar North in third. LEGO everything manufacturer Traveller's Tales ranked 12th on the list, while LittleBigPlanet's Media Molecule came in at a respectable 18th, the highest among indie UK studios. The complete list can be found on the official Develop 100 website. Check it out, and let us know if your personal favorites made the cut.
Animator confirms Lego Harry Potter, Lego Indy Crystal Skull games
Charlotte Parker, a cutscene animator at Traveller's Tales, has confirmed to VG247 that both Lego Harry Potter and Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull are on the way. "But they're not confirmed," Parker said. "I can't really talk about them." That means, of course, that Parker didn't provide any details of release plans for either game, including dates or platforms.Parker's CV reportedly listed the two Lego series game titles, though they were removed. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the CV also listed work on a demo of a Hobbit game, intended to be pitched to Peter Jackson.
Disney and Lego team up for Prince of Persia toys
Disney and Lego have announced a partnership to bring constructable versions of Toy Story, Cars and Prince of Persia to retail by next year. The Lego Prince of Persia will be based upon the upcoming movie and not the Sands of Time video game.Indulging pure speculation, we received this tip with the idea that the partnership means a Lego Prince of Persia video game could happen. Despite Warner Bros. ownership of developer Traveller's Tales, it has used licenses from other movie studios, so anything is possible. We're still holding out hope for a Lego Harry Potter game first, considering that magical universe is far more evolved than the Prince's, with numerous notable characters to unlock and play.[Thanks, Matt] [Image]
Activist group finds LEGO Batman 'oppressive,' 'destructive' to kids
It's difficult to imagine a property as insidious as Lego Batman. Go ahead, try. Labeling the game a "symbol of commercialized childhood," an activist group calling itself the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has called out TT Games' cubic take on the Dark Knight. Wait, is this a joke? A riddle? A two-faced lie?The game was included among a handful of other toys as a finalist for the organization's inaugural TOADY (Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children) Award. Other playthings, including Hasbro's poop-happy Baby Alive and a Barbie tarted up as a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, are also up for the dubious honor. But how many of these were also included in Happy Meals, one of the chief complaints of the Boston-based group? Only you can put the Caped Crusader over the top by voting for the "winner". Won't someone please think of the children?
Rumor: No Lego Harry Potter in '09
A Eurogamer source claims that Traveller's Tales isn't making a Lego Harry Potter game this year. This follows rumors that a brickitized Potter title was in the works, courtesy of the folks behind Lego Star Wars and Lego Indy. Said rumor has been floating around ever since Warner Bros., which holds the wizard's movie rights, bought TT in 2007.The Eurogamer source also claims a new installment of Lego Indiana Jones is likely to arrive this year. At this point, we're willing to believe almost any franchise can be turned into a TT Lego game. Well, that Lego Rock Band rumor is still a bit weird.
Rumor: LEGO Rock Band in development
According to videogaming247 and their super secret "source", LEGO franchise developer Traveller's Tales is currently hard at work on their latest brick game: LEGO Rock Band. Supposedly, during a Radio One interview, a UK Traveller's Tales employee confirmed that they're working on a new LEGO game and that it's releasing in 2009, but exact specifics were withheld. That game being LEGO Rock Band, or so says videogaming247 and their sources who claim their information is "100 percent correct." LEGOs and Rock Band? It's an odd mix, but it could be tasty. Kinda like potato chip and peanut butter sandwiches.[Via Joystiq]
Rumor: Traveller's Tales working on Lego Rock Band
We usually save our statements of incredulity for the end of our rumor posts, but we think this story warrants one up front -- we'd have an easier time believing that Lego Halo is in development, and we know that one's not true. Videogaming247 reports that one of their sources is "100 percent" certain that Traveller's Tales is working on a Lego-fied version of Rock Band for Electronic Arts.Now, we know that Traveller's Tales is currently working on further Lego titles, but when last we heard, these unannounced games are being based off of Warner Bros. IPs -- it's a lot more likely that a Harry Potter game or follow-up to Lego Indiana Jones is in the works. As it stands now, we're fairly certain that VG247's source is either extremely confused, or they're jumping the April Fools' gun by a few months.
Rumor: Lego ... Rock Band?
Lots of people have been speculating that the next entry in the Lego games franchise, to follow up Batman and Indiana Jones, would be something to tie in with the release of the next Harry Potter film. However, gaming site videogaming247 claims a source let slip to them that, instead, the next Lego game by developer Travellers Tales would be Lego Rock Band. Let the chorus of "what???" begin.While this one is a tough rumor to swallow, for reasons of rights, viability, and silliness -- and we're always mistrustful of these anonymous sources, no matter who they're talking to -- Lego Rock Band would be both hilarious and completely awesome, so we're going to cross a few fingers. Gallery: Rock Band
