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XBL deal of the Week: PoP Classic for $5
The crux of the following post is this: Prince of Persia Classic is on sale for 400 ($5) this week. There are some other things on sale as well, but you don't really need to know about them. You can just proceed directly to the bottom of this post and follow the Xbox Live Marketplace link to Prince of Persia Classic. ... Okay fine, if you really want to know what the other deals are, here we go. First, you can pick up some Transformers 2 DLC for 400 ($5). Second, Watchmen: The End is Nigh is available for 800 ($10) instead of the usual, ridiculous 1600 ($20). There. Happy? Now go buy Prince of Persia Classic. Xbox.com: Add Prince of Persia Classic to your Xbox 360 download queue ($5) Xbox.com: Add Transformers 2 Character and Map Pack Plus to your Xbox 360 download queue ($5) Xbox.com: Add Watchmen: The End is Nigh to your Xbox 360 download queue ($10)
Luxoflux shuttered as layoffs hit Activision dev studios, publisher confirms
Reports began circulating this morning about major layoffs at a handful of Activision-owned development studios, affecting as much as half of Radical Entertainment's staff (Prototype), an undisclosed amount of Neversoft employees (Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk), and the entirety of Luxoflux (Tranformers). An Activision rep confirmed two former studio layoffs to us this afternoon, though a representative didn't city any official numbers -- the rep also told us he could "confirm the closure of Luxoflux." The full, significantly more vague, company statement given out to everyone reads: "Activision Publishing continually evaluates its resources to ensure that they are properly matched against its product slate and strategic goals. In 2010, the company's SKU count will be smaller than in 2009 driven in part, by a decrease in the number of music-based games we will be releasing. As we discussed on our earnings conference call yesterday, we are directing our resources against the largest and most profitable business segments, and as part of this initiative, we are realigning our resources to better reflect our slate and the market opportunities. At the same time, we are increasing our digital/online capabilities as we expect that digital/online will continue to become a more meaningful part of our business model in the years ahead."
Transform and roll out against Luxoflux this Friday
Following an apparently successful Game with Fame session with actress Megan Fox, Activision has announced that the developers behind Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will take on the community themselves this Friday. Excited? Well, there's a catch: The devs at Luxoflux will only be online playing the recently released Character & Map Pack Plus DLC, meaning interested gamers will have to throw down 800 ($10) to square off against the team. Of course, if you already own the DLC you're welcome to jump in this Friday, September 4, from 5PM to 9PM (Eastern) and participate in punching giant robots in the face. You know, kind of the same way Michael Bay punched our soul by making those two terrible movies. Check out the official Xbox.com page for a listing of Gamertags to friend request for the event.
Megan Fox appearing on Xbox Live's Game With Fame (GOLD MEMBERS ONLY)
Only those who rose (sigh) up to Microsoft's annual $50 multiplayer fee will find themselves in the online company of Megan Fox next week, when she plays Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen exclusively against Xbox Live Gold subscribers. The actress, self-outed Wii fan and professional runner-from-explosions will expect you to promptly log in by 5:30PM ET on Saturday, August 29 -- the session kicks off at 6PM sharp! In the meantime, you'll want to send a friend request to the following very real Gamertag: Megan Fox 2009. Please, don't be upset if you don't hear back right away. She probably needs to trim her friends list a bit to make room for you.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen DLC goes old school
On August 27, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will receive a map and character combo DLC pack, which includes first generation models of some of your favorite Autobots and Decepticons. The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Character and Map Pack Plus DLC includes eight brand-new playable characters, three new character skins, three multiplayer maps and an "Expert" difficulty setting for the game's single-player campaign.The DLC -- which also adds new achievements and trophies to the game -- will be available for 800 on the Xbox Live Marketplace and $9.99 on the PlayStation Store. If only the pack added Weird Al Yankovic's "Dare to be Stupid" to the game's soundtrack, it truly would be an old school content pack. A detailed list of the DLC can be found after the break.%Gallery-69306%
Buy a better Optimus Prime for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Don't fret, Michael Bay haters, you can get your childhood Transformers back -- for a price. It's already been announced that G1 Starscream is coming to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (the game; it's too late for the movie) as DLC, and now we know of two more incoming pay-to-play characters: G1 Optimus Prime and Soundwave. (Oh, but not G1 Soundwave, although we think this one looks reasonably cool.)At least it'll be be cheaper than buying these guys, right? Check the gallery below for full-size shots of Prime and "Soundwave."%Gallery-69306%
Swag Saturday: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (360/PS3) [update]
Update: The comments have been closed and winners will be chosen this evening, emailed early tomorrow. Remember to check those inboxes, folks! And thanks to everyone for entering. We love you! Each week we have another Swag Saturday and each week you never quite know when it's going to hit. Truth be told, you have a full 24 hours to enter the contest, but we know how much you like to be on top of things like this. That's why, from now on, you can find out a full hour ahead of time by following the Joystiq Twitter account! Oh, what's that? Your head didn't explode yet? This week we're giving away two copies of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, respectively. Here's a towel. Leave a comment telling us what you would transform into if you were taking up revenge for the, uh, fallen .. or something. Best (clean!) answers get a copy of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on either Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada, excluding Quebec. (Sorry, Québécois!) Limit 1 entry per person. This entry period ends at 4:01 pm ET on Sunday, August 2. We'll randomly select two winners at that time to receive: one copy of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 (ARV $56.99). For a list of complete rules, click here %Gallery-64284%
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer puts robots in your eyes
Set aside your beef with Shia for just a minute -- you'll want to watch this trailer for Activision's upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Why? Well, we can understand your hesitation given the quality -- or lack thereof -- of the first movie's game, but this one ... it actually looks good.Maybe it's the fact that, as we mentioned in our first impressions of the game, Vigilante 8 dev Luxoflux -- who knows a thing or two about vehicular combat -- is at the helm. It could also be how gosh darn fast these big metal guys go from vehicle to 'bot and back again. Of course, there's always the "Giant Robot Game Rule." Y'know, the one that states every game with giant robots looks awesome in trailers. As for the finished product, well, that's the great unknown in this case. Hopefully Luxoflux has the touch.
Joystiq impressions: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
click to maximize Okay, so maybe we were a little harsh on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (the game) when it was announced back in February, but can you really blame us? First off, it's a movie tie-in. Secondly, Activision's video game treatment of the first Michael Bay Tranformers flick was awful. Having now seen what the crew at Luxoflux is putting together for PS3 and 360, we have to admit it actually looks ... kinda good.The good news is, apart from giant transforming robots, the game has little in common with its predecessor. If anything, it's akin to a fast-paced mech arcade title, with a non-linear level structure and lots of bonuses for pulling off flashy moves. For the land-based Transformers, its creator is playing off the momentum they can build up in vehicle mode and translating it into more devastating attacks or longer jumps when they (very quickly) transform into robots.%Gallery-50045%
Activision's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen tie-in rises into view
Brace yourself: you know that new Transformers movie, Revenge of the Fallen? Activision's making a game based on it. As you know -- despite trying your best to surpress the memory -- the publisher was resonsible for the video game adaptation of the first film, which only managed to transform your childhood memories and $60 into salty tears.There's some promising info to report on this sequel: It has a different developer on PS3 and 360. Traveller's Tales has been ousted and replaced by Luxoflux, which is best known for its Vigilante 8 car combat titles and Activision's two True Crime games.IGN's story on the game can be summed up thusly: It will have a larger number of playable Transformers than the first film's tie-in, will include a multiplayer mode and will take place in locales including Cairo and Shanghai. The site also lists versions for Wii, PS2, PSP, DS, PC and ... wait, no iPhone? Rolling out the game on Apple's emerging platform would certainly maximize your profits, Activision. Check out the teaser trailer in all its "gameplay projected onto a logo" glory after the break.
Vigilante 8 finally approved by Microsoft for XBLA
After months of struggling, Vigilante 8 Arcade is finally on the fast track to release. This is probably the last time we'll get to recap this, so bear with us: The game first aimed for a for a June release, it was finished in August and then got tripped up again earlier this month. But, finally, the game has broken through Microsoft certification and is now careening toward an undetermined release date.It's good news, but we have to say ... it's not exactly "vigilante" is it? Would Buford Pusser have waited for certification from Microsoft? Would Batman? We think not. Little more like "Citizen's Arrest 8" if you ask us.
Vigilante 8 Arcade gets delayed ... again
Poor Vigilante 8 Arcade. The car combat game has gone from a sweet spot in June (where it could have been a cool oasis in the summer doldrums) to being all but finished in August and now, the game has hit yet another snag with a few obscure bugs in the Microsoft certification process. So now, Luxoflux is looking at more QA with Activision followed by a second certification attempt.Don't get us wrong, we appreciate everyone taking the time to get it right. But we're entering that time of year when it would take something huge to wrest our attention from the torrent of retail releases, and we're just not sure Vigilante 8 has that kind of pull anymore. Here's hoping we see it soon.
Vigilante 8 Arcade is totally done
"V8 Arcade enters its final submission." That's the headline we read this morning over at sister site Xbox 360 Fanboy and were totally excited to pass it along to you guys. That was just moments before we realized that, by and large, a lot of you probably don't realize why that's so rad. So, for the uninitiated: Vigilante 8 (besides having one of the best titles ever) is a lot like Twisted Metal, only add better physics and subtract the awful hair metal aesthetic. Even that description's a little lackluster, but no matter: It's just been submitted to Microsoft for final approval and you'll be able to play it soon. We hope.[Via X3F]
Are you sitting down? Kung fu Panda revealed!
In the midst of random industry non-news and other things of little importance comes three screens of the upcoming powerhouse action game, Kung fu Panda. Based on the upcoming movie of the same name, Kung fu Panda allows players to embark on an epic adventure as they master the specialized Kung Fu fighting styles of, title character, Po the Panda. OK, we'll stop pretending like this is Halo 4 but Activision has done well with their translations of G rated films in both sales and execution. While previous movie-based games will hardly win a gameplay award, they always look polished and fun. Also, we hear the points are pretty easy to get - so sign us up.%Gallery-18191%
Behold: Kung-Fu Panda and something else from Luxoflux
California-based Luxoflux have finally come out of their development shell to reveal what they've got planned for this year... and next year. What they've got planned for the near future. What you can expect is this: "The DreamWorks project, Kung Fu Panda" coming to the PlayStation 3 and XBox 360 in 2008. How crazy is that? Sounds like another winner from the CG animal family-film genre which is growing about as saturated in movie theaters as WWII titles are on consoles... or sports games on consoles... or JRPG's on Sony consoles prior to the PS3.There's another project, too, though. Some kind of multiplayer action title, but we don't know what year they're releasing that one or a single thing about the game. It's a complete mystery, but we're sure it'll have a little more going for it than a DreamWorks product. Not that DreamWorks is bad -- they've tossed out their fair share of quality, but you know. Something that originates as a game and becomes a game.Blah, blah... too many movies today are based on books, true stories, remakes, or sequels. End rant.
