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Earth Eternal hits open beta
You ever want to play an MMO in your browser? Well now you can! Sparkplay Media's Earth Eternal has finally made the leap into open beta, and joining is as easy as a few button clicks.All you have to do to check out the free-to-play MMO with 22 races is go to their website and sign up for an account. That's it. It's really, really just that easy. After your account is made, you can play Earth Eternal in your browser, or you can grab the actual client and run it separate from your browser.If you like the game and want to throw some money its way, you might want to consider doing it during the open beta. For the month of October, any game credit purchases will have an extra 20% credits thrown in for your purchase. So if you grab 1,000 credits, you'll get 1,200 instead.So, what are you waiting for? Jump on over to the EE website and sign up. It's easy!
Natal in Fable 3 hinted by a paranoid Molyneux
In an interview with Joystiq, Microsoft's Phil Spencer said he wouldn't be surprised to see Project Natal integration in Fable 3. Another person who wouldn't be surprised? The guy in charge of Fable 3. Peter Molyneux told Game Kings that he was "leaving the most exciting gameplay stuff for later." He then added, "I am going to say it's going to use a controller, but I've never said it's not going to use Natal.""And obviously what would probably happen if I started talking about this is you would see a little red dot appear moving on my forehead," Molyneux continued. "And then as I would start to speak the words then there would be a shotgun fire, and I would be assassinated. Quite clearly, it is that sensitive." But not so sensitive that he can't quite nearly confirm it in the next breath."Do you really think, knowing me, as maybe you do over the years, I wouldn't want to use something like Natal? I mean, that's just mad, man." Let's just lay it out here: The guy responsible for basically the only known Natal project is going to put some Natal segments in Fable 3. We all know this. It's going to happen. Try to look surprised when it's announced at whichever trade show next year.%Gallery-70430%[Via IGN]
TGS 2009: The Recap Post
Last week, the Tokyo Game Show brought in over 100 posts worth of news, previews, interviews, galleries, and videos. Clearly, a lot happened. If you're looking for a comprehensive list of all the goings-on during TGS 2009, Joystiq has you covered -- and organized! Click on a platform below to scan the highlights: (On the far right: that's "News" and "Culture" on the top and bottom, respectively)
WTF: Fable characters in Sonic Racing and other oddities from alleged Sega leak
Among the truckloads of possibly legit megatons included in the alleged leaked minutes from a meeting between Sega of America and Sony Computer Entertainment America, a number of notable gaffes and oddities can be found. Besides wondering if "characters from [the] Rare or Fable universes" should be included in Sonic Racing, it appears that Sega may be interested in assigning all of its properties a PlayStation Home-room. Oh, and a product evaluator thought Alpha Protocol felt "barely RPG" -- final analysis: make it even more Mass Effect-y.Additionally, the mention of PS2 games as downloadable content on PSN makes us reminisce all the way back to mid-2006 when the idea first popped up on our radar --- surely, this isn't why Sony removed built-in backwards compatibility? And either the person taking minutes was daydreaming or knows something we don't, as reference is made to "Eidos' Batman" featuring "PS3/PSP interoperability" support -- a Batman or related DC Comics PSP game then? Juicer still, that little mention comes right after talk of a project named "Vanquish" and a possible PSP iteration of the currently shelved Aliens: Colonial Marines that Gearbox Software is working on. Also, Sony is eager to check out that hopefully not-so-crappy Thor game soon (suggestion: make it less Iron Man 2-y).The cherry on top comes in the form of what we've been calling around the Joystiq water cooler: "Sonic and the Inverted Castle." Found under the "Sonic Anniversary" subhead, the note taker jots down, "SCEA would love PSN exclusive power ups/different game modes (like Castlevania's flip it over/backwards)." Actually, we believe that's Missy Elliott who puts the thing down, flips it and reverses it, thank you very much.
Fable 2: Game of the Year Edition confirmed
Eurogamer reports that Fable II: Game of the Year Edition has been confirmed by Microsoft. Furthermore, the site notes that the title will release in Europe on September 18 for €64.99/£39.99. Doing a little digging of our own, we uncovered the box art for the game (pictured above), which gives us some idea of what to expect in the package. According to the box, purchasers will receive: "More Quests! More Locations! More Choices!" If previous retail listings for the title are to be believed, all that "more" will be comprised of both the Knothole Island and See the Future DLC packs. So far, the Game of the Year Edition has only been confirmed for Europe, but we've contacted Microsoft for confirmation and details regarding a North American release.
Fable 3 will question the foundations on which Fable is built, says Molyneux
Hot off the announcement this morning of Fable 3 coming to Xbox 360 in 2010, Microsoft Game Studios of Europe head Peter Molyneux sat down to discuss the franchise a bit with GamesIndustry.biz. Though the acutely over-promising developer kept tight-lipped about details on the upcoming sequel, he did let slip that Fable 3 will question "some of the foundations that Fable [the franchise] is built on." We're not sure exactly what that means, but we already know that the gesture system has been given a major facelift. The moral choice aims to be a lot deeper than in Fable 2 as well, with Molyneux saying promises you make in your rise to power will affect your position as the people's ruler. We'll be sure to remember these promises when the game releases next year (that's three promises so far, Molyneux!). %Gallery-70430%
Fable II Game of the Year Edition spotted
Console Monster reports that a listing for a Game of the Year Edition of Fable II has popped up on a pair of UK websites. The listing appears on both Play.com and ShopTo.net, and mentions exactly the kind of goodies you'd expect in a GOTY package. With a suggested retail price of £39.99 (~$65), the package includes both the Knothole Island and See the Future DLC, which normally cost 800 ($10) and 560 ($7), respectively. So, essentially, the package offers the original game and both pieces of DLC for standard retail price. Not a bad deal for those that have yet to set a next-gen foot in the world of Albion. This might be what the "revolutionary" countdown on Lionhead.com is all about -- though that seems unlikely. Either way, as the countdown isn't set to expire for another two days, we've asked both Microsoft and Lionhead to confirm if the listing is real, and also to clarify any plans for a North American release. We'll update this post with any new information. Source - Play.com -- Fable II: Game Of The Year Edition Source - ShopTo.net -- Fable II (2) (Game Of The Year)
Lionhead Studios website overthrown by Che Guevara [update]
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Lionhead_Studios_website_overthrown_by_Che_Guevara'; Update: It would appear as though Lionhead Studios' website has been overthrown by not one revolutionary but a series of them, as the site has updated today with a numeral five (countdown!) and an image of Maximilien Robespierre. Oh, you don't know who he is? He's one of those copycat French revolutionaries. A famous one, we promise. Now we're just hoping that at the end of the countdown, Lionhead doesn't overthrow the Internet.Don't you just hate it when your website gets overthrown by a long-dead South American revolutionary? Happens all the time! Well, okay, we're embellishing a bit, but it seems as though that's happened to Fable 2 developer Lionhead Studios' website. As you can see in the image above, Che Guevara's questioning gaze posits, "At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love," accompanied by a massive six. Sure, that could be six years or six celestial bodies orbiting around Lionhead prez Peter Molyneux's head at any given time, but we're thinking it pertains to a "special announcement" at next week's Euro convention, Gamescom, by the (in)famous developer. The email from Microsoft says, "Peter Molyneux, visionary developer and Creative Director of MGS Europe, will make a special announcement, so be sure to join us for this reveal." In the meantime, we'll be busily clicking between the thumbs up or down choice below Che's silhouette, watching as the sidebars change. It's called moral choice, folks. It's kind of popular.
Matt Mihaly talks microtransactions and Earth Eternal
It looks like we're not the only ones on the block to talk to Matt Mihaly, as Gamasutra has recently sat down with the Sparkplay Media CEO. The topic of the conversation: microtransactions.Matt's no stranger to microtransactions, having utilized them back with Iron Realms Entertainment and their many MUD games. His talk with Gamasutra starts out focusing on how microtransactions can generate a very modest income, but mainly center on a small segment of the game's population paying the most to play the game.Beyond microtransactions, Matt gives a few very interesting details about the development of Earth Eternal and how it reached the form it's in today. Did you know that originally Earth Eternal was going to be a hyper-violent and hyper-sexualized fantasy MMO before it evolved into the playful multi-race animal/fable theme? No? Then you might want to check out the full article, as there's more where that came from regarding the game's evolution.
The origin of Fable II's soundtrack
Develop has posted an interesting feature about the creation of the soundtrack to Fable II. The article tells the story behind the score through the words of its composer, Russell Shaw. Shaw says that he wanted the music "to convey the world of Albion but also enhance the story," noting that each region has its own particular sound. The music of Bowerstone, according to Shaw, is based on the keywords "Celtic, Scottish, folk and gentle," for example. Shaw also discusses the combat music, which flows and changes based on the size of the fight and on the actions taken by the player.On the state of music in the game industry, Shaw says, "This is a brilliant time to be in game music," noting that the barriers between game and movie composers have "pretty much eroded completely." If you've ever found yourself humming a Fable II tune -- if you've played the game, you probably have -- you should definitely give the article a read.
Top brands of 2008 owned by Nintendo, EA, Activision, and not Sony
Wedbush Morgan Securities' 2009 industry report includes a list of the top thirty brands of 2008. The report notes that of the companies whose brands appear on the list, Nintendo, EA, and Activision were the only three with more than one brand to generate over $100 million at retail in the US last year.And boy, did they. The top brand of the year, Guitar Hero -- perhaps you've heard of it -- was responsible for $992 million in US sales in 2008. The next two brands, Mario Bros. and Rock Band, generated $761 million and $662 million, respectively.One company is notably absent from the top brands list: "Most strikingly," the report reads, "Sony had no top 30 brands for the third year in a row." Microsoft had two brands on the list (Gears of War and Fable) and Nintendo had four (Mario Bros., Wii Fit, Wii Play, and Pokémon). See the list of brands after the break.
Fable 3 designer gets married and ... wait a minute!
Last Friday's New York Times "Wedding/Celebrations" section announced the nuptials of Ms. Amy Gilbert (who is studying for her Ph.D. in molecular medicine in London) and Joshua Atkins, the "lead game designer for Fable III." Would this be be first tandem wedding and game announcement? Although Fable III doesn't officially exist, Atkins has been with Lionhead since Fable and is listed as a part of the design team at Microsoft Game Studios in the Fable II manual.This isn't the first time Fable III has been unofficially mentioned: British talk show host Jonathan Ross tweeted in March that he was approached to do voice work for the game. Of course, we've contacted Microsoft for confirmation of Fable III's development. We absolutely can't wait until the company pulls "we don't comment on rumor and speculation" on this one.PS: From all of us at Joystiq: Congratulations to the happy couple!Update: Microsoft's official statement: "We have nothing to announce regarding future Lionhead Studios projects."[Via Kotaku]
Albionian hero spawns 537 babies, ye olde physicians baffled
"We've never seen anything like it," Bowerstone physician Bloodlettin' Sam said. "It defies the small amount of science we've been able to discern."Everyone, it seems, is at a loss for words over the unprecedentedly fruitful loins of Albionian hero "Evan1357," who, together with beloved wife Sadie the Farmer, has sired 537 children. Child Protection Services officials have been hesitant to investigate the hero ("he's just so handsome, all we want to do is marry him," they said in their defense), while Mrs. the Farmer's spirits were remarkably high, all things considered."People ask me how I manage to push so many human beings out of my body. The secret is to simply OOOHHHH NOOOO IIIIT'S HAPPENINIIIING AGAAAAIIN," said Mrs. the Farmer, proud mother of 537 538 children.
Xbox 360 Elite bundle rumored to include Halo 3 and Fable 2 for $400
Don't get all loony just yet -- this one's still a long, long way from panning out -- but ArsTechnica has it from a reliable mole that Microsoft is gearing up to ship an even more attractive Xbox 360 Elite. One that comes bundled with hits Halo 3 and Fable 2 for the same $400 that the console alone runs you now. We already heard last month that Microsoft was considering phasing out the standard Elite in favor of bundled "limited edition" models, so that certainly jibes. Though, we will caution you that the last time Ars's mole spoke of console price drops, he / she didn't completely nail it. While said mole did accurately suggest that a $400 PS3 would hit America before the 2007 holiday rush (it happened in late October of that year), the whole "$100 PS2" thing took a full two years to come to fruition. Then again, E3 is just around the bend...[Via Joystiq]
Official Champions DevBlog: Randy Mosiondz, lead designer on roleplay and gameplay
It's been on a short hiatus, but Massively's official bi-weekly Champions Online DevBlog has returned with a column from lead designer Randy Mosiondz concerning the balance between roleplay and gameplay. If you happened to have missed the previous entries, simply follow our Champions Developer posts and easy access to even more thoughts and commentary from the likes of Randy Mosiondz, Bill Roper and Jack Emmert.
Fable 2's 'See the Future' DLC coming in May
It's a morning just like any other, save for one joyous difference. You stumble out of bed, groggy and mildly alarmed by the monstrous shape your hair assumed during the night. A sip of coffee does little to bring your brain out of its fatigue nebula, with a glance at the calendar reminding you that ... wait a minute. It's May! The new Fable II downloadable add-on, "See the Future," is supposed to be out this month!You quickly don your Bananas in Pajamas dressing gown and rush into the living room, shouting, "Wake up! Wake up you piece of slumbering silicon!" at the Xbox 360. Oh, you simply can't wait to download the new content, which marks the return of Murgo the Trader and the beginning of a new quest to lift a trio of curses placed on mysterious items. What wondrous new wares await you? What new breed will you choose for your post-potion pet? What good (or evil?) will you get up to with new costumes (including a Hobbe outfit!), hairstyles and "psycho Jester make-up?"Oh, but you're getting carried away. There's still the 560 ($7) charge to pay before you can chase after the "Ghosts of the Snowglobe," save "The Cursed Knight" from his fate or bludgeon everything to a pulp in "The Colosseum." Of course, there are some free items offered to Fable II players (like "Welley's soldier helmet"), but only the premium pack offers ... oh. It's not online today.You suddenly remember that Joystiq failed to mention what day in May the DLC would arrive. Those incompetent, unreliable bastards.%Gallery-49378%
Lionhead Studios graphic designer sues Microsoft for harassment
Jamie Durrant has been working for Lionhead Studios, stomping ground of Peter Molyneux and developer of the Fable franchise, for 11 years. In his time, he's worked on the Black & White series as well as both of the Fable games. As of last August though, Mr. Durrant has been out of work "sick" on half-pay, claiming sexual discrimination on the part of Microsoft. "I have been signed off sick since August with anxiety and depression," Durrant told us this morning. The Surrey, UK resident is suing his employer, Microsoft (owner of Lionhead Studios), for £45,000/$66,000, money which will make up for "lost earnings and injury to feelings," according to the report on Telegraph.co.uk. A variety of names, laden with derogatory terms, were purportedly circulated in Durrant's tenure with the company as of late, referencing his sexual orientation: "'I'm Jim and I'm Gay," "Me and My Favourite Men," and "Ladies Are Bad," among others. According to Durrant, when these abuses were reported to the Microsoft human resources department, the company did little to help him, apparently telling him they would circulate an email reminding employees of the company policy -- but they never followed through. When he inquired as to why it hadn't been sent a few weeks later, he was supposedly told that Microsoft would have to draft policy on the matter first. He told the Telegraph, "I was very surprised that Microsoft did not have any policies relating to this sexual orientation harassment." Less than a month ago we found out that the Microsoft Xbox Live team also have little-to-no policy written regarding sexual orientation discrimination.When asked for more information, both Microsoft and Mr. Durrant have said they cannot comment on the still pending litigation. We'll have to wait until the London South Employment Tribunal hears his case "later this year" for more info.
Molyneux: Fable destroyed developer lives, Fable II not so much
The original Fable was a home wrecker, according to Lionhead guru Peter Molyneux. The developer with the buttery British voice tells Develop that the first Fable "just burnt people's lives" and "destroyed the team." He says the excessively long work hours ruined marriages, and that the studio just can't do that anymore.Molyneux is happy to report that Fable II wasn't such a demon -- well, not until the "very, very end," when it consumed weekends (which is pretty standard). He states that, for the most part, the studio was empty on Sundays. We'd ask how he knows that, but we feel the answer involves him sadly sitting alone in the office over the weekends. Poor, poor Peter.
Xbox Live Deal of the Week: Xbox Originals Fable for $10
Because the world needs to know (and by "world" we mean the Joystiq reader base), this week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week is none other than Xbox Original title Fable. Starting today, Monday, March 16, and lasting through late Sunday, March 22, Fable can be purchased from the XBLM for 800 ($10), which represents a 33% discount from its normal 1200 pricing. As with all Deal of the Week offers, this Fable discount is only available to Xbox Live gold subscribers. Live silver accounts are forever shunned for choosing a life of evil and moral corruption. Be gone silver members ... BE GONE FROM THESE LANDS! [Via Major Nelson]
Fable, Alien Hominid HD get slashed for March Deals of the Week
Before Peter Molyneux and Co. captured our GOTY hearts with Fable II, Lionhead introduced the world to Albion in Fable -- on the original Xbox. Next week -- billed as the figurative pot of gold for St. Paddy's Day -- the Xbox Originals release of Fable will be discounted to 800 ($10) on March 16, down one third the standard (Read: Overpriced) tag of 1200. March 23's Deal of the Week isn't nearly exciting, discounting the Iowa Mission Pack for Battlestations Midway by 20%. Finally, to put an Irish kiss on the end of the month, the Deal of the Week beginning March 30 will be the XBLA title Alien Hominid HD, discounted by 50% to 400 ($5). Those are some quality price drops... Irish I had some more MS Points.
