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The Joystiq Weekend: March 17 - 18, 2007
Just another snapshot of pinsomniac's frackin' sweet DIY Rayman Raving Rabbids cake pan. Check out the highlights for this weekend:JoystiqueryJapanese hardware sales, Mar. 5 - Mar. 11: GDC ruined everything editionToday's spoilerest game video: God of War 2 endingNewsSteam injected with Eidos gamesBest Buy done with PS3 20GB modelLowenstein's 'final' interview: Game reviews influence industryConsoul shows more bizarre European PS3 marketingWithin a Deep Forest creator Nifflas interviewedMii channel began as a DS projectLord of the Rings Online team confident entering MMO marketJack Thompson responds biblically to Take-TwoLord of the Rings Online music systemRumors & SpeculationRumorang: NiGHTS returning on the Wii -- Part 2Rumor: Beautiful Katamari to hit Xbox 360, PS3, Wii this yearCulture & CommunityHow much longer can Xbox Live charge consumers?Beware the April Fools in mid-MarchGame name stereotypesHowling Rayman Raving Rabbids cake
Howling Rayman Raving Rabbids cake
Other games blogs may have recently sworn off games cakes, but here at Joystiq this still looks delicious. Then again, this blogger does have a soft spot for vanilla icing. We're not sure where the floating head of a Rayman Raving Rabbids bunny fits into the culture of edible fandom, but can't you just hear him singing his off-key Christmas carol, begging to be smacked across the face?Actually, this bunny has his own Flickr set. See how he emerged from box art, to tin foil hunk, to tasty, screaming glory.Thanks, Jason!
Bunnies can't play with a DS Lite
While we can't say much about the quality of Rayman Raving Rabbids DS yet, we're more than happy to sing the praises of Ubisoft's marketing behind the recently-released platformer. The France-based company sent out three promotional images showing the game's villains, crazed and deranged rabbits, in various states of distress.They're not as cute as kittens playing with a Nintendo DS Lite, but not much else is. Head past the break for more artwork of the disaster-prone bunnies.
Ubisale at Toys R Us
There have been a lot of sales to report lately! If you picked up a Wii at Toys R Us yesterday, you now have an opportunity to get some relatively good games for a decent price, from now until the 10th.Toys R Us is offering three Ubisoft-published Wii games for the price of two. Your choices are GT Pro Series, Open Season, Rayman: Raving Rabbids, Red Steel, and Monster 4x4: World Circuit. This offer is valid online, but we aren't sure about its status in TRU stores. If there are three games in that list you're interested in, or two games you're interested in and one you think you could get a decent price for on eBay, then you are in luck![Via QJ.net]
Peep these screens for Rayman: Raving Rabbids
A couple of new screens for the upcoming DS installment of Rayman: Raving Rabbids have hit the internet, revealing a game that is very much guaranteed to be chock full of platforming action and just as good as its Wii cousin (we're calling it folks). Although we would've liked more screens, we'll take what we can get. We've gone ahead and embedded the screens into the post, past the break.See also: Rayman: Raving Rabbids confirmed for the DS
Bunnies make good cupcakes
Bunnies probably don't like to be eaten, but that didn't stop Flickr user protozoider from making these Rayman Raving Rabbids cupcakes. Some of them look like they're going to eat you! The set includes instructions on making your very own (somewhat creepy) rabbid cupcakes, and features pictures of the best efforts, and some of the not-so-successful. The secret? Bunny-themed cake pans for Easter cakes. Creative, we must admit ....See also: Metareview: Raving Rabbids Bunnies can't stand Christmas Bunnies do not value privacy Bunny tries to milk prancing cow
Today's Valentiniest video: Raving Rabbids Valentine's Day Date
In honor of Valentine's Day, we bring you love -- Rayman: Raving Rabbids style. The end of this video features something that most of you wouldn't mind doing to the rabbids yourselves. Over and over again. All over Paris, and wherever you might happen to encounter one ... or dozens.After you get your mind out of the gutter, check out the video and chime in and let us know what you wouldn't mind doing to these screaming piles of fur. At least this one shows up with flowers and chocolate.
Raving Rabbids will utilize Vision camera on Xbox 360
One of the waggle-free ports of Rayman: Raving Rabbids might not be entirely worthless, at least if you happen to own an Xbox 360 Vision camera. IGN notes that aside from "graphical tweaks" and two new mini-games, the Xbox 360 version will incorporate gesture-based gameplay for 37 of the 70-odd mini-games. It's almost a perfect match, really. Raving Rabbids requires some sort of unique input to rise above its mini-game miasma, and the Vision camera needs more games to take meaningful advantage of it. Whether or not the pairing is strong enough to push a great, built-for-Wii experience to the other side remains to be seen. The high-def bunnies arrive this March.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Ubisoft opens animation studio
Ubisoft is rich. Now they're richer, because the Canadian government is giving them money to make CG movies to be consumed by the "general public". While $8 million (about US $6.8 million) may not seem like much... it'll at least help Ubisoft open an animation studio of their very own. Now, whether this studio will make feature-length films is unsure, although a Canadian newspaper quoted the projects as "short films for the general public."So, what sort of short films would you like to see come out of Ubisoft's new studio? Since it is animation, we'd like to steer clear of Splinter Cell or Prince of Persia films -- those ought to be live-action. As some people at GameSpot surmised, a Rayman animated film would be cute. Leave your ideas and thoughts!
Bunnies don't like cosplay (or do they?)
We may not be diehard Xbox fans, but that doesn't mean we can't appreciate it when they start dressing up like bunnies. A reader was kind enough to tip us off on this great competition on a German Xbox fansite that ended up with a couple of folks looking like extras from Rayman Raving Rabbids. We can totally get behind anything that produces pictures like these, especially when the Wiimote makes a cameo.[Thanks, Phillipp!]
Today's holiday-iest game video: Rayman raving rabbids Xmas
As we close out Christmas day, what better to bring it all to an end than a holiday themed Rayman Raving Rabbids video. It's cute, it's cuddly, and it has just the right amount of holiday cynicism thrown in. Consider it an extra special Christmas bonus for our loyal readers. In fact, if you're up this late/early and watching the video, then you really ARE loyal. Enjoy the video after the jump, and bask in the warm glow of Joystiq.Merry Christmas to all you 'stiqers out there, and to all a good night.
Bunnies can't stand Christmas
Personally, we find ourselves filled with anger at the thought that we are unable to procure such excellent ornaments for our Christmas tree. Seriously, what kind of world do we live in where we can't hang raving rabbids like tinsel? Regardless of our anger, at least the rest of the video makes up for it in humor. Juicy, luscious humor ...As always, the video is available after the jump.
Bunnies like Penny Arcade
The best part of Michel Ancel's Rayman Raving Rabbits is its humor and ad campaign. Every level is given a phrase such as "bunnies like carrot juice" or "bunnies like to rave." Ubisoft asked Penny Arcade to contribute to the Rabbid lore. Here's what Gabe and Joe Pekar (he colored) came up with: Bunnies lie about their age Bunnies are extremely good at ping pong Bunnies are nostalgic Bunnies can smell your fear So Ubisoft, how about capitalizing on Wii's online services and turn these golden ideas into party games.
Japanese hardware sales, 27 November - 3 December: You'll Just Have To Watch And Find Out Edition
There isn't much to be said here. You wanted awesome? You got awesome.- Wii: 350,358 [New Entry!]- DS Lite: 176,901 24,477 (12.15%)- PS3: 31,436 1,226 (3.75%) - PSP: 23,917 6,898 (22.39%) - PS2: 23,115 3,148 (11.99%) - Xbox 360: 4,053 2,954 (42.16%) - GBA SP: 1,572308 (24.37%) - Game Boy Micro: 1,252 17 (1.38%) - Gamecube: 821 245 (42.53%) - DS Phat: 140 72 (33.96%) - GBA: 22 5 (18.52%) - Xbox: 11 11 (N / A)[Source: Media Create]
Rabbids in your milk
Young reader Preston was doing his body good one day by drinking milk. While his bones were thanking him for the generous amount of calcium (as his sweet tooth was for the chocolate), little did he know that Rabbids had invaded his lunchtime beverage. Ubisoft has found yet another way to get into the minds of gamers by placing advertisements on everyday items like this. We wonder how many other companies have used this same technique to grab our attention. In fact, if you, loyal reader, see an ad similar to this for a Wii game, take a pic and send it in! [Thanks Preston!]
Rabbids can't cook turkey
In honor of Thanksgiving yesterday, these quirky little rabbids sent out a video to show that they have the holiday spirit too. While we could have told you that a turkey doesn't exactly cook well in a clothes dryer, they're a bit new to this whole thing; it was a good attempt on their part. Next year, they'll know better ... maybe. Catch the video after the break! [Thanks JC!]
Metareview: Rayman Raving Rabbids
The Wii launch window is teeming with minigame madness. Between Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, the upcoming WarioWare: Smooth Moves, and the devil bunnies in Rayman Raving Rabbids, what's a gamer to do? Time to check out the reviews. So far, Rayman and the legions of rabbids haven't seen a lot of review time, but what's out there seems solid. Looking for twisted humor, cow tossing, and freaky bunnies? Rayman's got it.Deeko - 85%: A lot of people are spoiled because of the next-gen graphics seen on the Xbox 360 and the PS3, but the fact of the matter is the graphics in Rayman are very good and serve to prove that this little system has more power than you'd think. The game's overall presentation is wonderfully colorful, superbly animated and highly detailed, running at a very fluid 30 frames per second. Those who feel jaded because the graphics aren't on par with a next-gen console need to get over themselves, because the game is visually quite impressive and that's no small feat. Musically, the soundtrack is all over the place in terms of presentation, with some very strange Rabbid renditions of classic rock tunes, coupled with a handful of interesting musical pieces created for the game. It's eclectic, most certainly, but works quite well. The voices are more like odd sound bytes, which is very traditional Rayman and that is a very good thing. The Rabbid voiceovers are particularly amusing and only add to their overall charm and allure. IGN - 83%: Purists, traditionalists, conventional snobs - none of these people will be happy to read it, but Ubisoft's Rayman Ravving Rabbids completely ditches the franchise's trademark platformer background. Let's be clear to avoid any confusion: there is no platforming to be found in this Wii-exclusive title, which arrives from the undeniably talented Beyond Good & Evil team, led by Rayman creator Michel Ancel. In place of those run-and-jump levels are mini-games designed around the Wii remote. There is a central storyline that sews the minis together, but make no mistake: this project is Ubisoft's deeper, prettier WarioWare. It may not follow the classic Rayman template, but Rabbids is nevertheless a welcomed addition to Wii's launch lineup for it is a fun and oftentimes hilarious game and an ideal choice for the old-school and new-school alike ... The majority of minis in the title are fun whether you're playing by yourself or with friends, although there are the occasional duds. The biggest drawback is that many of the minis are not designed for simultaneous play; instead you go in sequence. But even with that being true the experience is still engaging and addictive and the title's sense of humor is in a league of its own. It is almost unfair to label this effort a Rayman game because the real stars of the project are the bunnies, whose blank faces and inevitable agonized screams will make you laugh over and over again.
Rabbids -- worse than a Chucky doll
Honestly, we wouldn't want this near us. It creeps us out. Those huge, staring eyes, emotionless face and bewitched posture gives us the jitters. We used to like the Raving Rabbids but now, we aren't too sure we could become friends with something that looks as though it would torture us in our sleep. Then again, maybe it's just this rabbid. He could be the black sheep of the bunch. Still, those ... eyes. We swear they follow you wherever you go, plotting your demise. [Via Go Nintendo]
France vies to give artful tax break for game industry
France's Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres is hoping to classify gaming as art. In doing so, the French gaming industry including Ubisoft, Vivendi and Infogrames would receive a 20 percent tax break. France already considers cinema a form of art.Ignoring the debate on whether or not gaming is an art, the classification has major opposition from the games industry in and around France. The primary concern, as explained by Patrice Chazerand of Interactive Software Federation of Europe, is government interference with the game design process. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot supports the tax break, though its no surprise since Ubisoft could only benefit from savings when their developer studios are too global for French interference.In March, French decreed the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres to game designers Michel Ancel, Frédérick Raynal and Shigeru Miyamoto.
New Wii hands-ons, plus Phoenix Wright import
Game|Life has scored some precious hands-ons with Ubisoft's Wii launch titles and also managed some time with the Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice For All (DS) import while traveling to and from the Ubisoft offices. Check out the coverage: Monster Truck 4x4 and GT Pro - "...just old games with Wii controls shoehorned in, and how do you really get excited about that?" Red Steel - "I didn't play Red Steel at E3 ... So I had no firsthand knowledge of the game until today. And what I played was great. Apparently they've made great strides between E3 and today, because the controls ... were spot-on..." Rayman Raving Rabbids - "...this might be the best non-Zelda game of the launch, and easily a great showpiece for the controller's abilities." Splinter Cell: Double Agent - "After spending a half an hour struggling to complete the first level of Double Agent on Wii, I went home, popped in the PS2 version, and blasted through it unscathed in minutes." Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice For All (DS import) - "Not only is the game bilingual, it's actually a global product. When plugged into an American DS system, the title bar on the console's menu screen reads -- instead of Gyakuten Saiban 2 -- 'Phoenix Wright: Justice For All.'"
