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Xbox Live discounts Child of Light, Thief this week
Microsoft's Deals with Gold discounts Thief by 40 percent ($35.99) on Xbox One this week. Additionally, both Xbox Live Gold and Silver members can enjoy discounts on Assassin's Creed 4 add-ons on both Xbox One and Xbox 360, getting the game's season pass, Blackbeard's Wrath, Guild of Rogues, Freedom Cry and Illustrious Pirates DLC for 30 percent off each. As for the Xbox 360-specific deals, Gold subscribers can pick up Child of Light at 33 percent off this week ($10.04) as well as Flashback and Cloudberry Kingdom for 67 percent off ($3.29 each). Four games are slashed by 75 percent this week: I Am Alive, From Dust and Call of Juarez: Gunslinger are $3.74 each while Freefall Racers is $2.49. Lastly, both Gold and Silver subscribers can pick up Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 at 67 percent off ($19.79) as well as its World Challenge DLC at half-off ($2.49). All deals are good through next Monday, July 7. [Image: Square Enix]
Get $1 PC games from Ubisoft's new Uplay client
Uplay the vague Ubisoft online service is now also Uplay the PC client, through which Ubisoft sells games and offers friends lists and other services. It's worth checking out, because the company is offering a selection of $1 PC game downloads, one a day. Today, it's HAWX 2; tomorrow, From Dust, with Silent Hunter 5 and Driver: San Francisco following.The same deal applies in the UK and Europe, with prices of one unit of the local currency. There are other deep, if not as dramatic, discounts as well.
Beyond Good & Evil, Outland, From Dust triple pack this September in Europe
The Beyond Good & Evil HD, From Dust and Outland retail triple pack of downloadable games will be available September 21 in Europe.Eurogamer reports confirmation from Ubisoft that the bundle will be available for Xbox 360, but there's no mention of a PS3 version.The retail compilation has popped up a couple times during the year, with Ubisoft not commenting until now. On that note, we've reached out to Ubisoft US about the game coming stateside, but haven't heard back.
Ubisoft's BG&E, Outland, From Dust triple pack leaks box art
The next triple pack treatment is that much closer to being announced. Amazon UK has leaked some box art for the Ubisoft Xbox Live Hits Collection, which places Beyond Good & Evil HD, From Dust and Outland on one retail disc. It's a bittersweet proposition, since we all remember what happened the last time Ubisoft put Beyond Good & Evil on a disc.If this all seems familiar, it's probably because just about the same thing happened back in January. The emergence of the box art, visible to the left, lends more credence toward this being a real official thing we can buy on this planet with our human money.The new anomaly is that the Amazon UK listing, which prices the triple pack at £17.99, only lists it for Xbox 360 – no PS3 version can be found. Even though we expect the boilerplate response from Ubisoft, we've still asked for more information.
From Dust migrating to Google Chrome in April
Ubisoft will debut From Dust -- the latest joint from Eric Chahi, creator of Out of this World -- on Google Chrome some time in April, the publisher's Facebook page revealed. The Google Chrome version will feature new controls and full HD graphics.We've contacted Ubisoft for pricing info, and whether or not players will be able to sample the Chrome version for free before buying, just like the Google Chrome port of Bastion. Stay tuned!
Mass Effect 3 DLC 'From Ashes' drifts down to Xbox Marketplace
BioWare has let slip a batch of Mass Effect 3 DLC on the Xbox Marketplace, titled From Ashes. This is presumably the same DLC as the rumored "From Dust" installment, which at least one GameStop customer may now need to get a refund for. Dust and ashes are two very different things, after all, but we bet any name switching came to avoid possible confusion with 2011's From Dust (if it wasn't a GameStop typo to begin with).From Ashes will cost 800 Microsoft Points ($10). Mass Effect 2 included the squad member Zaeed as free DLC in new copies, and From Ashes could very well be a new iteration of this format.For a brief description of the DLC (now with 100 percent more spoilers!) read on:
Mass Effect 3 'From Dust' DLC purchased at GameStop before launch
Reader Craig sent us this image of his GameStop receipt, where he purchased a code for some Mass Effect 3 DLC ahead of the game's March 6 launch. He reports that he paid $10 for it.The DLC is called "FromDust" on the receipt -- not to be confused with the game by the same name. We're contacting EA to determine the details of this offer.
Play.com lists 'Ubisoft Triple Pack,' containing Beyond Good and Evil HD, Outland, From Dust [update]
It looks like more downloadable titles will be getting the packaged retail treatment, this time courtesy of Ubisoft. Similar to the various other retail packs we've seen in the past, the "Ubisoft Triple Pack" will contain three previously download-only titles for PS3 and Xbox 360: Beyond Good and Evil HD, Outland and From Dust, according to a listing on Play.com.Play.com's pre-order price of £14.99 equates to roughly $23, although no listings currently exist for the Triple Pack on any of the usual US retailers' websites. We've contacted Ubisoft for clarification regarding the collection's availability and pricing, but we feel safe in assuming that it'll cost more than $1 and less than $100 million, and that it'll be available in a country somewhere on this specific planet.Update: Ubisoft has responded in a wholly surprising and remarkably unpredictable fashion: "We have nothing to announce at this time."
Ubisoft: From Dust moved over 500K on PSN and XBLA
In an interview with MCV, Ubisoft digital publishing manager for EMEA Thomas Paincon spoke about the strengths of digital distribution for the introduction of new video game IP. The publisher's no stranger to taking risks with downloadables, as it's currently doing so with I Am Alive, Babel Rising and Shoot Many Robots. It also gambled on Eric Chahi's From Dust earlier this year, which Paincon said has paid off on XBLA and PSN to the tune of "half a million units." Paincon added some insight into Ubisoft's strategy, specifically chalking From Dust's sales up to the fact that "the prices were lower, but also because it was a new experience and people using digital platforms are more willing to test a new IP." Hey, as long as we keep getting good games for $15 or less, you're not going to see us complaining. Now, how about that multiplayer and level editor update?
Chahi: No plans for From Dust 2, new game will take a year or two
In a recent postmortem interview with Eurogamer, Eric Chahi spilled his guts about his world-shaping strategy-esque downloadable, From Dust. While development on the game had its share of highs -- Chahi said he was "very touched" after getting an endorsement from fellow gaming industry icon Peter Molyneux -- and lows, Chahi was happy with the finished product. Of course, it doesn't hurt that "it sold very well." We'd be pretty happy about that, too. Despite his exuberance for the game, Chahi told Eurogamer that "right now there is no plan" to do a From Dust sequel. He explained he wants to do something "very original," and that he has a few ideas as to what that could be. Don't worry about him taking a 13-year break (as he did after his last game, Heart of Darkness) -- Chahi said that work on his next game will take "something between one year and two years, maximum." Godspeed, Eric. (No, seriously. Pick up the pace.)
Report: August XBLA sales favor Fruit Ninja, Toy Soldiers
Specific Xbox Live Arcade sales data remains elusive, so we turn to Gamasutra's analysis of leaderboard information to gain a rough idea of how August's new games performed. Diminutive soldiers proved to be the most popular icons, followed by the ingenious pearing of Kinect and ninjas. Tower defense and shooter mash-up Toy Soldiers: Cold War appears to have sold 160,734 units by August's end, earning 115,448 players during its first week at the conclusion of Microsoft's Summer of Arcade promotion. Gamasutra notes that this rate is actually slower than the original game's launch, which was paired with last year's "Block Party" lineup. Fruit Ninja Kinect had 148,507 players for the month -- impressive in the context of Kinect-only downloadable games. And while it might not be as financially lucrative, the game's sure to expand its total player base in September while it's offered as a free bonus to owners of The Gunstringer. From Dust and Bastion continued to do well in August, while Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet registered 48,389 players by the end of the month. Microsoft announced a DLC add-on called "Shadow Hunters" earlier this month, but it appears to have missed its (tentative) release date.
From Dust PSN debut moved to Sep. 13 in North America
Good news! The village chant worked, and the PSN version of From Dust will flood North America two weeks sooner than expected. The god sim will now arrive this coming Tuesday, September 13. The European release is still set for the following day, September 14.
PSA: From Dust patch now available on PC, removes Ubi DRM
Once again, Ubisoft has acquiesced to consumers' demands, with a DRM-removing patch for From Dust now available via Steam. The patch quite literally does nothing else, as the Steam notes describe in extreme specificity that the "Title can be played in offline mode (no connection to the Internet is required after installing the patch)," and that the "Save file is moved from the Uplay/Ubisoft server to the local machine." Reports confirm that the patch does, in fact, allow for offline play, presumably leaning on Valve's Steam service for DRM in place of Ubisoft's own, highly controversial version. Now if only Ubisoft could patch its studio heads to stop defending the damn thing.
From Dust to PSN: Sept. 14 in EU, Sept. 27 in NA
Eric Chahi's From Dust is blowing over to PSN next. The deity delight arrives in Europe and North America for Sony's console on September 14 and 27, respectively. The game launched smoothly in early August as part of Microsoft's Xbox 360 "Summer of Arcade" promotion and then decided, like a spontaneous piece of performance art, to simulate a disaster for its PC launch.
Report: Steam offering refunds to From Dust customers
Ubisoft has authorized Valve to offer refunds to Steam customers who are unhappy with their purchase of the troubled From Dust PC port. Rock Paper Shotgun reports that some of their readers have received emails from Steam support that note: "If you don't want to wait for the patch or if you haven't played the game, per Ubisoft's request, we will issue refunds this title." Ubisoft's From Dust PC port has been a (dark) comedy of errors. The game suffered though the usual eleventh-hour delay, mixed messaging about DRM, and then bugs and technical issues in the final release. It's quite a shame, since it's actually a pretty good game.
From Dust PC online authentication to be patched out
The latest move in Ubisoft's spiteful relationship with PC players will see the company lessen its controversial DRM measures from the PC version of From Dust. The publisher stated on official forums that it's currently working on a patch, which should be available in two weeks, that will remove the need for needy online authentication. "This development time is required as we are working to ensure that those who have already started the game, and who's progress is currently saved on our servers, will receive and save their game information locally," the statement reads. "Once the patch is ready, players who already have the game will automatically receive the update on their next login and subsequent game sessions will be 100% offline." The problems with From Dust on PC don't end with DRM, with users reporting plenty of bugs and technical issues, which Ubisoft didn't directly address in its statement. It's hard to watch PC players being treated like this by Ubisoft -- we're available for comforting bro hugs, guys.
From Dust PC players erupt in anger over port
We try to be as even-handed as possible here at Joystiq, but we're going to give you the blunt version: If you were thinking of picking up the From Dust port on PC, you should hold off ... at least for now. While the game doesn't force you to be constantly online to play, Ubisoft has seen fit to require a connection every time you launch the title, which isn't much better. Rock, Paper, Shotgun reports that paying players will find a capped frame rate, limited resolutions for the windowed mode, no anti-aliasing and plenty of bugs. What may be a mere annoyance for console gamers is, of course, the digital equivalent of a plague of frogs on PC. We here at Joystiq are currently formulating a fix for the problems. True to the spirit of the game, we recommend players dump a pile of sand on their computer, and then a bunch of lava, and then reload their last save. Note: Technically speaking, we are not computer technicians.
Summer of Arcade games top XBLA sales
In the first half of the year, whenever you ask an XBLA developer when their game is coming out, you'll almost always get the same answer: "We're shooting for summer." It's not just that downloadable games look great with a base tan. Their creators are hoping to get on board with Microsoft's Summer of Arcade promotion and all the promotion that goes with it. As the XBLA activity readings (based on purchased versions) for last week demonstrate, it's a profitable plan. The top three titles between August 1st and 8th were the current Summer of Arcade offerings: From Dust, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet and Bastion. We don't have specific numbers, but when you see a high-profile, high-quality July release like Ms. Splosion Man (which wasn't part of the promotion) way down there at #15, it's hard to deny the Summer of Arcade bump.
Ubisoft: From Dust PC will not require constant internet connection
You can expect Ubisoft's PC DRM scheme to remain in the news for as long as it requires a consistent online connection to play, and for as long as its implementation remains inconsistent. The upcoming PC version of Driver: San Francisco will require an importunate online link if you want to keep going, but world-shaper From Dust will not. Speaking to Joystiq, a Ubisoft representative confirmed that the PC version of From Dust, which should be out on August 17, won't have the DRM cranked to maximum level. "Constant internet connection won't be necessary when playing From Dust's campaign and challenge mode on the PC." You'll note the specific language there, which may refer to a potential multiplayer mode that was mentioned by From Dust designer Eric Chahi last year. For now, though, we're happy to report that you can keep playing god, even if your connection to our modern deity has faltered.
From Dust triggers highest day-one sales in Ubisoft XBLA lineup
Ubisoft has been on a roll in the download space, peaking with the release of From Dust, an environmental manipulation strategy title from designer Eric Chahi. The publisher has announced that day-one sales of From Dust exceeded that of any Ubisoft-published Xbox Live Arcade title before. Publishers are notoriously hesitant to part with proper download numbers (the Xbox Live activity chart is a relative measure), but From Dust's noteworthy impact may still impart some idea of what to expect next. Speaking to Joystiq late last year, Eric Chahi hinged his expansion plans on the first game's presumed success. "We plan to have a major release where we can enhance the experience by adding an editor and a multiplayer mode," he said, "if the success is there." Though From Dust garnered some mixed reviews, it fits in well with a recent streak of well-received Ubisoft titles on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, including Beyond Good & Evil HD, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes and Outland. The company also wins bonus points for constructing this latest press release without writing "digital download."
