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Mirror's Edge DLC rolls onto PSN on 1/29
Have Mirror's Edge? Well, make sure you log onto the PlayStation Network on January 29th. PS3 owners will be able to download two pieces of DLC, one free and one for-pay. PS3 owners will be able to download a PS3-exclusive level for free. However, if they want seven all-new Time Trial maps, they'll have to pony up $10. Those that are having trouble with the Time Trial Trophies may want to pick this pack up -- more maps will make it easier to pick up that elusive 50-star rating. %Gallery-38559%
Joystiq's Top 10 of 2008: Mirror's Edge
<< BACK COMMENT NEXT (9) >> Modern video games are incredibly complex creations, more so than we give them and their countless programmers, artists and exploding barrel technicians credit for. The feelings video games elicit, however, can be simple. Mirror's Edge is a complicated bundle of codes and clauses underneath its bold exterior, but its joys are immediate and primal. It's the game that made jumping exciting again.And jumped we did, breathlessly across, under and over an urban race course, our persecutors mere steps behind us. Mirror's Edge cuts to the chase, here a vertiginous sequence of elegant platforming and a ruthless hunt for efficiency. It's absolutely thrilling, presented in a perspective usually reserved for blundering man-tanks. Yes, there are cumbersome guns -- a literal throwaway element -- and yes, there's fist-to-face combat that's more than a little challenging. How many controllers would have been spared had the "Test of Faith" Achievement been removed?Mirror's Edge does stumble occasionally, but when it runs, it leaves most games in the dust. It's one of the most difficult, engaging, frustrating and satisfying experiences of the year. Chase it.%Gallery-17126% Next: Theworstthingtohappentoyourkeyboard. << BACK COMMENT NEXT (9) >>
Mirror's Edge meets the Balance Board
EA's Mirror's Edge is a beautiful game, if a bit flawed, and the highly-physical, parkour-inspired gameplay would suit the Wii's motion controls quite well. The only problem is that it wasn't made for the Wii! What's a gamer to do? Clearly, the answer is this: make a video demonstrating just what Wii controls, with the Balance Board, for Mirror's Edge could look like.The video is well made, but there's a long lull at the beginning giving everyone their due, and after that, the controls-and-gameplay windows are small, so there's really not a lot of meat to it. But the video, and the notion behind it, is interesting enough for a watch. When you're done there, go back and check out our Mike Sylvester's revolutionary ideas for Mirror's Edge 2D.
FanPoll'08: Most Disappointing Game or Issue
While 2008 certainly brought us new and exciting titles, we did encounter our fair share of disappointments. Surprisingly, some of our biggest disappointments came from titles we actually loved due to issues that drove us mad! Online problems and game ending glitches broke pieces of our favorite titles. Bugs may just be bugs but sometimes they destroy an entire experience, for example the broken online play and subsequent four-month-long wait for a patch kept one of our favorite XBLA titles -- Castle Crashers -- off our XBLA Game of the Year list. That in mind along with other titles we were really hoping would be fantastic or bug free in spots, here are our nominees for Most Disappointing Game or Issue of 2008.Read more about these five nominees:Castle Crashers Online ProblemsGears of War 2 Matchmaking IssuesMercenaries 2: World in FlamesMirror's EdgeFable II Game Ending BugsVoting closes at 12:01am on December 30, 2008. Results will be revealed on December 30, 2008. &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href ="http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1226535/" &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;FanPoll'08: Most Disappointing Game / Issue&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;span style="font-size:9px;"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; (&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; polls&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;)&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;
EA gets Steamed in Europe, except for UK
European* Steam users can now join its American brethren in downloading Electronic Arts titles from Steam. The release schedule is mostly identical to that of the US and Canada, with Spore, Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack, Mass Effect, Need for Speed Undercover and FIFA Manager 2009 available now (notable exception: Warhammer Online) and Red Alert 3, Dead Space and Mirror's Edge coming in a few weeks.... What's that, reader? What's the asterisk for? Turns out, the EA library is available on Steam only to "most of Europe," with the odd man out being the United Kingdom, according to both Eurogamer and independently verified by our mates at the Joystiq UK offices. We've extended an offer of Earl Grey and a scone to Valve for answers.[Via BigDownload]
EA games roll onto Steam
EA has accepted the warm embrace of Steam and will begin using the digital distribution service. Following reports that Spore was crawling out of the primordial ooze to Steam, Valve announced today that several of the latest EA titles are available now, with many more coming over the next couple weeks. Available now: Spore Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Mass Effect Need for Speed Undercover EA Sports' FIFA Manager 2009 Coming Soon: Mirror's Edge Red Alert 3 Dead Space Sister site Big Download contacted EA to find out if older PC games would become available, but the publisher wouldn't comment. Also, in case you're wondering, EA games on Steam apparently don't install or use third-party DRM set-ups. According to Valve "the only DRM it uses is Steam itself."[Via Big Download]
Mirror's Edge demo now includes Time Trial Mode
No matter how you spin it, Mirror's Edge has been a flop. In an effort to boost sales, EA and DICE has announced that the Time Trial Mode in the demo that was previously exclusive to those who pre-ordered from Gamestop has been unlocked to the general public. All you have to do is head to the main menu, select "Race", then pick "Play Time Trial". When prompted, just enter any 16-digit code in order to unlock the mode. Tme Trial Mode "challenges players to find the fastest routes throughout the city." You can even upload your best times to the scoreboards and compare it against your friends. We doubt any of this will cause a sudden spike in Mirror's Edge sales, but hey, it's free![Via press release]
Mirror's Edge demo time trials unlocked for all
After trying to jimmy open the Mirror's Edge demo's lock on time trials over the course of a few months and completely failing, we can put down the lock pick and rest our now crippled hands.EA just announced that they've willingly unlocked the time trial mode in the Mirror's Edge demo. No unlock code necessary. We're not sure how much of a sales spike this demo restriction lift will have on the retail game (probably none), but are happy no matter. We get time trials and no longer have to rely on video footage to get the experience.
Maddening: NPD data shows weak Dead Space, Mirror's Edge sales
It's a tough road that EA has chosen, one illustrated by the above graph from Gamasutra's recent analysis of November's North American sales results. Reliable and storied football franchise? Selling millions. New IPs and ambitious sequels? Not so much. Though Spore is a notable exception with upward of 2 million copies sold and the Valve-developed Left 4 Dead saw respectable sales on console (both are new IPs), EA's fresh ventures in Mirror's Edge and Dead Space were not rewarded by consumers nearly as much they were by reviewers.Still, does it smack of having "failed miserably," as Gamasutra so bluntly notes? Or did these unknown quantities simply get lost in holiday shelves packed with highly anticipated, highly praised and highly recognizable properties? Highly likely. If EA's smart, it'll follow the Burnout Paradise (which, excluding PSN sales, racked up a surprisingly low 600,000 copies across two platforms) route and re-release those titles in a less deadly period.
Notes from EA's investor conference call
Following today's news of EA lowering its forecast for fiscal year '09, the mega-publisher held a conference call – mainly for investors – to go into a little more detail as to the why's of the situation and the how's of the solution. Fingers were metaphorically pointed at retailers for shortening their stock of all but the best-selling games, while new properties were praised for faring well with reviewers.EA CEO, John Riccitiello, began the call by pointing out that 17 of the company's '08 titles earned aggregate Metacritic scores above 80, versus only seven the year before. New IPs – specifically Dead Space and Mirror's Edge – were praised, but Riccitiello pointed out during the Q&A portion of the call that these franchises will perform better once established. "Dead Space looks like a long-term big winner for us," he said, later confirming, "[Mirror's Edge] is going to go forward."The EA boss placed substantial emphasis on the impact of major retailers cutting their stock of all but the top five best-selling titles this holiday season. Looking forward, he said to expect the company to produce fewer titles overall next year, with core and casual games seeing equal, indeterminate cuts; sports will be untouched. Riccitiello also confirmed that studio consolidation will play a role in EA's FY10 cost-cutting plans, as will the merging of labels, specifically EA Sims and EA Casual, into one.
Joyswag Holidaze: Mirror's Edge game, album and messenger bag
Update: We've selected a winner! Congratulations to Peter van Daalen of Dallas, Texas!Play it. Hear it. Wear it. Thanks to today's Joystwag giveaway, not only could you win the PlayStation 3 version of Mirror's Edge and the Still Alive: The Remixes album (more on this after the break), you could also win a swanky runner's bag to carry them in. It's modeled after Faith's bag in the game, has multiple pockets, features Faith's funky eye tattoo (the game logo) on the other side, and is perfect for lugging around a laptop, a console, or top-secret intel.To enter the giveaway: Leave a comment telling us what you'd carry around in a bright yellow messenger bag (paying special attention to those multiple little pockets, of course) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day This entry period ends at 12:00pm ET on Monday, December 15th. We'll randomly select 1 winner at that time to receive one copy of Mirror's Edge for the PlayStation 3 (ARV: $59.99), one Mirror's Edge runner's bag, (ARV: $10.00), and one Mirror's Edge Still Alive: The Remixes CD (ARV: $5.99). Please check your e-mail! For a list of complete rules, click here Is the end of 2008 approaching already? In honor of another year of gaming gone by, Joystiq is hosting five straight days (that's a full work week!) of Joyswag giveaways. Check back every day for new prizes, new chances to win, and the possibility of keeping more money in your own pocket.
Live action Mirror's Edge commercial
There are two things we realized after watching the above live action Mirror's Edge commercial. One, the commercial is very cool. Two, we should really get in shape. The commercial showcases two men, one of whom -- let's call him Jumpy O'Flannagan -- is pursuing the other -- we have dubbed him Flippy McGee. We hate to spoil it for you, but in the end Jumpy just isn't a match for old Flippy. Still, both men manage to perform some amazing physical feats, even if several of them aren't actually possible in Mirror's Edge itself. For that matter, apart from some box art at the end of the video, there really isn't any mention of the actual game. But who cares, it looks cool, and that's what the kids like, right?
Analyst: Mirror's Edge, NFS, RB2 sales to spur more EA layoffs
There could be fewer gifts passed around at Electronic Arts' annual Christmas party as analyst Colin Sebastian anticipates the company may let go more employees in the wake of sluggish sales. While EA eliminated nearly 6% of its workforce last October, the Lazard Capital Markets soothsayer predicts that underperforming titles, including Rock Band 2, Need for Speed Undercover and Mirror's Edge, could likely lead to the company to make even deeper cuts.EA's bottom line was able to keep from being totally dismembered, however, thanks to what the analyst calls "solid sales" of Dead Space, Left 4 Dead and FIFA 09. Even so, Sebastian lowered his third quarter outlook for the publishing powerhouse from $2.14 to $2.07 billion, leaving Scrooge McDuck with plenty to count over the holidays should Disney come knocking.
Abstract Mirror's Edge DLC coming in January
EA and DICE just announced that this coming January, Mirror's Edge's first downloadable content will be released bringing with it nine additional Time Trial races in an abstract world. The content's nine races will be spread across seven all newly created Time Trial maps that promise no cops or guns and are actually based outside the city. The new maps will be less "real" and be more blocky, abstract and, well ... random.The DLC will set you back 800 Microsoft points and, for whatever reason, Mirror's Edge owners over on the PS3 will exclusively receive an additional map for free. Thanks for the 360 love DICE.%Gallery-38560%
Mirror's Edge Time Trial DLC coming in January
click to enlarge Has there been a more difficult, frustrating and incredibly satisfying challenge this year than the time trials in Mirror's Edge? We think not -- least of all when we end that spectacular string of wallruns, coil jumps, slides and vaults with a 100 miles-per-hour concrete face plant. EA and developer DICE is hoping that the "just one more go" feeling will extend to your purchasing habits, as they've just announced the forthcoming release of downloadable content for the frantic first-person runner. Slated for release in "late January" for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC, the "Pure Time Trial Map Pack" will add nine races on seven "all-new and totally redesigned" stages. Which, judging by the trailer (check it out below!) and screenshots, is putting it rather mildly. Three questions, though: How much will it cost? $10 or 800.Wait... when is the PC version out?January 13th in North America and January 16th in Not North America.What happened to that "exclusive" PS3 DLC? I gave up anti-aliasing for that!"As an added bonus, all PlayStation 3 Mirror's Edge fans will be able to download an additional map for free." See? Additional map! Added bonus! Exclusive!%Gallery-38557%
PS3 version of Mirror's Edge to get free bonus DLC
EA and DICE have announced details on Mirror's Edge DLC. In late January, players will be able to download nine new races for the Time Trial mode. According to the press release, these levels will have "no guns, no cops, and no city: this is true aesthetics, agility and flow that will challenge any runner." We're not entirely sure what that means, but we certainly want to find out. Update: Well, this new video certainly clears things up. Wow.The nine new races will cost $10. However, PS3 owners get a special treat. All owners of the game can download an additional tenth race for free from the PlayStation Store. This is the PS3-exclusive DLC we've been waiting to hear about. (Who doesn't like free stuff?)To read our review of Mirror's Edge, click here. %Gallery-38559%
MTV discovers how developers dream
Here's something we never knew we wanted to know about: What kind of dreams game developers are having. MTV has answered the unasked with a new post, and the tales of cross-dressing as Mirror's Edge's' Faith and pet Balverines are so good we're tempted to start leading every interview off with a discussion about the subconcious.MTV has also given us a great idea for a new, multi-platform IP from Joystiq Publishing: Imagine Recurring Dreamz. So look for All Your Teeth Are Falling Out this fall, Going To Places In Your Underwear next spring and Doing It With Your Third-Grade Choir Teacher While TV's Mr. Belvedere Looks On In Disgust in Q4 of 2009.
Mirror's Edge dev bummed over curvier Faith
A larger-chested version of Mirror's Edge heroine Faith made the web rounds last month, leaving piles of controversy in her wake ... well, controversy and irreversibly stretched-out tank tops. Her face is a bit different too, as we're sure you noticed.Perhaps unsurprisingly, the image was fairly depressing for one of the game's producers. As Tom Farrer told MTV: "We really wanted to get away from the typical portrayal of women in games, that they're all just kind of tits and ass in a steel bikini. We wanted her to look athletic and fit and strong [enough] that she could do the things that she's doing."It's a noble goal, and our hope is that it's one most people "got." Do you have a preference of Faiths?
Video: Be taken away by the Mirror's Edge theme
As up in the air people's opinons of Mirror's Edge's gameplay is, one game aspect that most everyone can agree is superbly amazing is the theme song. Sung by Swedish rocker Lisa Miskovsky, the Mirror's Edge "Still Alive" theme music is so delightful to the ear drum that we've heard it be accurately compared to angels singing a broadway symphony. You know, hardcore gaming angels on a l33t broadway stage of death. Check out the official "Still Alive" video embedded above and let yourself be taken away ...[Via LockoutGaming]
Branching Dialogue: Display of E-motion
Presenting Branching Dialogue, a weekly, wordy and often worryingly pedantic discussion of video game genres, trends and err ... stuff I didn't think to put in this introductory line. In his thoughtful review of Mirror's Edge, Eurogamer's Christian Donlan calls it a game "that's easier to love than like." He's quite right. DICE's first-person parkour platformer doesn't hold up to objective scrutiny, often coming apart under a reviewer's bit-by-bit examination. The discordant ratings are testament to that, if not to the claim that Mirror's Edge exudes a boldness and brilliance that's hard to capture in words, let alone numbers. You can certainly try lobbing several comparisons at the game's gestalt ("It's Sonic the Hedgehog meets Montezuma's Return!"), but its evocative nature really comes through when you have the controller -- and the life of a runner -- in your hands. For as much as Mirror's Edge is about relentlessly pushing you through an urban obstacle course, it's also about capturing a gripping, breathless exhilaration. It's an unfortunate consequence of the mechanical and very deliberate design of games: doing exciting things with an on-screen proxy rarely feels as exciting as it should.
