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Xbox Live April schedule: Final Fight, Mega Man 10 DLC
Microsoft has unfurled some of its plans for Xbox Live downloadable content for April, including new additions to Games on Demand and Deals of the Week, as well as the April 14th release of Final Fight: Double Impact. On top of that, look for a half-priced The Maw on the week of April 12 and two add-ons for Mega Man 10 this week: Bass and Special Stage 1. Head past the break for the full list. %Gallery-79231%
THQ CEO: Saints Row and Red Faction at E3, De Blob going multiplatform
In an interview with IGN, THQ CEO (that's a lot of three-letter abbreviations right next to each other) Brian Farrell provided more details about the company's upcoming lineup. For one, we can expect to see the new Saints Row and Red Faction games as soon as E3, as well as other assorted games from THQ's lineup. "I think we're going to blow people away at E3," Farrell said. "You'll be seeing Saints Row 3. You'll be seeing the next Red Faction. You'll be seeing more of Homefront. We've been talking about it, but we'll actually show some of our Warhammer 40k MMO, and I think people are going to go, 'Oh my God. They've got their stuff together.'" And Saints Row 3 will evidently cause some to remark, "This is not your father's THQ." Farrell also suggested that THQ has learned its lesson from the last few years of the Wii market, and won't be trying anything like Deadly Creatures again -- a "fun experience" that "didn't find much of an audience." A few "brand extensions" will be shown on Wii this E3, Farrell said. And speaking of extended brands and the Wii, the executive said that the upcoming SyFy-fueled relaunch of De Blob won't just be a Wii game -- it'll be released across multiple platforms, still developed by Blue Tongue. "Actually, I prefer it on a normal controller," Farrell said.
Darksiders, Saint's Row sequels from THQ in fiscal 2012
THQ's Brian Farrell has revealed on today's investor conference call that the company is planning to revisit some of its most successful franchises as far away as the fiscal year of 2012 (which would be sometime after March 2011), including this year's bestseller Darksiders, and the popular Saint's Row franchise. Farrell says the company is looking to fiscal 2012 for "accelerated growth with three major core game titles scheduled: Warhammer 40k Space Marine, a sequel to Darksiders and the third generation of our popular Saint's Row franchise." Given that these are more than a year away, we don't have any more information besides the fact that they're planned for release (Who will Darksiders ape next? Will Saint's Row finally solve all of those bugs?). But news of sequels for both games will be welcomed by their respective fans.
Darksiders rides into 1.2 million homes, THQ recovering financially
THQ today announced to investors its financial holdings for the year ending December 31, 2009, reporting a net income of $1.4 million and sales of $701.5 million in the final nine months of the year. To put that in some perspective, the net income for the same period last year was a $334.2 loss. No doubt well-reviewed titles like UFC Undisputed 2009 and (personal favorite) Red Faction: Guerrilla helped that financial 180° turn -- a much needed one after a rocky 2008 and a mess of layoffs in 2009. The publisher also announced "first four week" sales of Darksiders have already reached 1.2 million in the US (Ahem, Mr. Greenwald? Did you hear that?). Interestingly, THQ called the game part of its "growing portfolio of owned brands," among Red Faction, de Blob, Drawn to Life, and Saint's Row. And with this afternoon's investor call, it would certainly appear we'll be seeing more from that portfolio in the coming year.
Saints Row 2, LEGO Indy hit Games on Demand
As promised, both Saints Row 2 and LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures are now available on Xbox Live Games on Demand. The games are available in almost all regions, though Saints Row 2 is not available in Japan, while LEGO Indy skips both Japan and Mexico. Saints Row 2 is $29.99 in the US and Lego Indy is $19.99. Prices vary by region though, so check before you plunk down those MS Points. Add Saints Row 2 to your 360 download queue Add LEGO Indiana Jones to your 360 download queue
XBLM Deal of the Week: Saints Row 2 DLC
Though that other open-world crime drama just got a huge booster shot in the form of the release of Ballad of Gay Tony, Volition's Saints Row 2 is getting a helping hand from its ol' pal Microsoft. Major Nelson recently announced that the game's DLC pack, "Ultor Exposed," is the Xbox Live Marketplace Deal of the Week. The pack, which offers three new missions, a new co-op mode and a playable character modeled after real-life porn star Tera Patrick, has had its price cut to 560 ($7). That's a 30 percent discount from the add-on's usual 800 ($10) price point. With that, we'd like to welcome the naughty folks who ended up here after searching Google for "porn star Tera Patrick." Welcome! Sorry, there's no images of your erotic quarry to be found here, but take a look around, anyways! You might just like what you see.
Saints Row hijacks Games on Demand
Major Nelson sends word that Saints Row is now available through the Games on Demand service on Xbox Live. An open-world title, similar to Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row garnered pretty good reviews when it was released way back in 2006. In North America, the Games on Demand version will run you $30. Unsurprisingly, the retail version can be ordered for much less online. Still, if you gots to have it and you gots to have it right now, it's there. Just calling your name. Add Saints Row to your Xbox 360 download queue [Thanks, Mike]
Rumor: Saints Row PSP revealed by ... Opeth
Who's the hottest new source for game news? The website of Swedish metal band Opeth, of course! At least, it is when it comes to news about an as-yet unannounced PSP Saints Row game. According to a news item on the band's site, a PSP version of the sandbox game (if you're not familiar with it, think GTA with ... actually, just think GTA) is on the way."We may not like playing video games all that much," the news item reads, "but we do like it when our music is featured on them! Makes us a bit proud even when it's a game as big as Saints Row for the PSP and even prouder when the nice developer people show excellent taste by picking 'The Lotus Eater' for it."These leaks aren't usually this specific, but Opeth actually announced a release date for this purported game: March 2010. Thanks, Opeth! You're now our second favorite Saints Row-related musical act.[Via VG247]
A final Saints Row 2 moment with Gary Busey
Over the past few months, we've come to rely on Saints Row 2's bizarre, Gary Busey-centric advertising campaign as a source of humor and, more importantly, spiritual renewal. As a final farewell, Busey is promoting the free "UnKut" DLC from the game in a new video. Gary has used his laser-like vision to peer into your soul ... and his reaction to what he found there? Well, we don't think you're going to like it, let's just leave it at that. Oh well, the DLC is free, just how much persuasion do you need?
Free Saint's Row 2 DLC arrives, XBL version is Gold member exclusive
Those of you looking to bling out your Saint's Row 2 characters with a bevvy of fancy new accoutrement need wait no longer, as Volition just released "The Unkut Pack" of free DLC this week. Virtual ganstas are now able to choose from "62 unique customization options" with "The Unkut Pack," though those of you without Gold acounts on Xbox Live won't be able to participate without ponying up for an upgraded membership, as the DLC is Gold member exclusive. Peep the example gallery below for a few shots of the new duds, tats and "bigass chains," and check out the game's website for a full list of everything, if you're into that kind of thing. And revel in it, 'cause according to Volition, this is the "third and final DLC Pack for Saints Row 2." Saint's Row 3, anyone? %Gallery-65774%
Volition: Saints Row, Red Faction Wii games a 'possibility'
When playing Saints Row or Red Faction, did you ever wish you could smash up buildings or conduct drive-by shootings with a porn star while waggling a Wiimote? Even if you answered "no" to that question, developer Volition says it may one day be possible. During the Red Faction: Guerrilla launch event in New York City last night (held at the red planet-themed tourist trap/night club known as Mars 2112), we asked senior associate producer Jeff Carroll if the THQ-owned studio ever considered making Wii versions of their popular franchises. "Though [THQ] may do Wii versions of [our games] in the future, Volition won't be doing them -- at least for the next year or so," Carroll said. "We actually talked about whether we were going to become a partial Wii developer," he explained. "Then we talked it over with THQ and they had enough studios that were going to be Wii-specific. But we really wanted to focus on the technological advances [in console development], especially for Red Faction Guerrilla." When asked if these Wii titles were in the works, he replied that he didn't know but that they were "within the realm of possibility." The real question is: Will Gary Busey be involved? For insanity's sake, we hope so.
Saint's Row 2 'Corporate Warfare' DLC coming May 28
click to corporate-size In the world of Saint's Row 2, the Ultor Corporation isn't looking for a massive government bailout -- it has an internal "civil war" to deal with. "Corporate Warfare," the second DLC offering for THQ and Volition's open-world crime game, hits Thursday, May 28, bringing a new mission and multiplayer maps, more vehicles, expanded customization options and additional Achievements (for Xbox 360). Also: corporate warfare. Who'd have thunk? The pack will set purchasers back 560 ($7) for 360 and $7 in non- space-money for PS3. Check out the gallery below for a glimpse of what awaits down on the 'Row. %Gallery-63812%
50 Cent wants to 'make' Blood on the Sand sequel, original IP
At Joystiq Headquarters, we're all about bumpin' the latest Fiddy track and tossing around the ol' crystal skull (that's a basketball to you). So it should come as no surprise that we're psyched for the news that avid Joystiq reader 50 Cent is hoping for a sequel to his well-reviewed third-person shooter, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. According to an interview with MTV News, our favorite Vitamin Water investor responds rather positively when asked about the possibility of a sequel, saying, "I'm hoping we'll be able to do it ... with the success of this actual project, we'll try to do it again." Furthermore, though he's stated it before, he's more interested in doing future games that don't revolve around his persona, telling the interviewer, "I'd like to be a part of designing and marketing a video game I'm not actually in." And what of that Saint's Row movie you were optioning, Mr. Cent? "I was trying to option the rights, [but] the more we talk about it, the more expensive it will get," he says. Those "bigass chains" can get expensive, can't they? Hit the break for the full, "actual" video (only for those in the US unfortunately, per MTV.com restrictions -- sorry!).
Volition prepping new Saints Row 2 DLC for April 16
New content is set to pull up alongside Saints Row 2, flashing gang signs and a new set of platinum rims. Developer Volition revealed that it is working on three new downloadable packs for the game, with the first, Ultor Exposed, set to arrive April 16 on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for 800 Microsoft Points or $10. Players expecting something comparable to last month's Lost and the Damned, however, will need to seek the comfort of fellow gangstas after learning that this initial pack adds just three new missions, a competitive co-op "metagame" and porn star Tera Patrick as a homie to watch your back. Some new vehicles, weapons and maps are also promised. Still, compared to last month's GTA IV update, this downloadable comes off as lacking, but at just a tenner at least you won't have to sell your real gold grills to play.
Volition QA staff lost in THQ restructuring [update]
THQ's wild swings have finally brought the axe down on Red Faction and Saints Row creator Volition, reportedly culling the bulk of the Champaign, IL studio's QA staff out from the developer's ranks. Speaking with Kotaku, a THQ spokesperson confirmed that Volition lost 86 employees in the cut, including 47 temporary workers and 39 full-time staff. The numbers represent the lion's share of the QA department's 102 employees, with quality assurance duties now "primarily" falling to "THQ's centralized QA facilities, with a small staff remaining on-site in Champaign," according to a THQ statement. The layoffs are part of THQ's larger move to eliminate nearly a quarter of its jobs in an effort to cut costs and keep analyst bankruptcy predictions from coming true. Update: THQ's Julie MacMedan chimed in this afternoon to clear the air as well as any confusion regarding these layoffs, which according to the corporate communications VP only affected the publisher's QA facility in Champaign, IL and left Volition's "core development teams" untouched. "This will result in the eventual closure of the facility with a transfer of sixteen employees to Volition," wrote MacMedan in an email statement. "It will not result in any layoffs within the core development teams at Volition. Volition remains a key development studio within THQ and will continue to employ 236 staff." Confirming earlier information, she added: "The layoffs include 47 temporary employees who will not be having their service extended. Unfortunately, fluctuating headcount among the temporary staff is common based on when our games ship. In addition, 39 full-time staff will be laid off." In conclusion, and in a refreshing change of pace to these sorts of reductions, MacMedan wrote: "All laid off employees (both full-time and temporary) will be given at least sixty days' notice. We will do what we can to assist them in finding work in the community or elsewhere in THQ."
50 Cent wants to make a Saints Row movie, or die tryin'
Rapper and game character 50 Cent has just revealed an interest in creating a Saint's Row movie, in a conference call about 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. According to our man on the scene, Mr. Cent told the assembled journalists, "My relationship with THQ, you'll see Saint's Row. I'm optioning the rights for that right now."50, we'll save you some time, in case you can't figure out how to make a sandbox game like Saint's Row into a movie -- just make it a musical and hire Panic's Cabel Sasser to write the songs. We're already daydreaming about buying tickets to that.%Gallery-21637%
Saints Row 2 rollin' up on PC in Jan. 2009
Saints Row 2 developer Volition has confirmed on the game's forums that the well-received gangsta epic will make its way to PC on Jan. 6, 2009. The PC version of the game was originally expected to release with the console versions, but after that didn't happen, several retailers listed the game with a 2009 release date, which is confirmed to be the case now. The company explains the reason for the delay is that the PC version is a port from the consoles, which is being done by an external company and requires more time. Volition reassures that it is fully involved in this external port and that all the little differences between consoles and PCs is what's taking the extra time. [Via Big Download]
Saints Row 3 already in development, 'new direction' planned
Saints Row 2 Associate Producer Dan Sutton reveals that Volition is already at work on another sequel in the urban sandbox series. Speaking with Play.tm, Sutton states that the recently released SR2 ties up loose ends from the original game and that SR3 will go in a "new direction." Considering that Saints Row 2 stands apart from Grand Theft Auto IV in how over-the-top it is, we certainly hope Saints Row's new direction isn't about toning down the series.
No Trophy support Saints Row 2
Despite what you might have heard, Saints Row 2 will not contain Trophy support when it debuts tomorrow. A moderator on the official community forums was the one to deliver the bad news. The moderator didn't address the possibility of a Trophy patch at a later date, stating only that that he will keep us updated. Are you guys disappointed? Will this sway you into buying the 360 version? Or will you just forget about this game?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Watch naked ladies streaking in Saint's Row II ... or don't
If a recently uploaded video (which you can find after the break) is any indication, you'll be taking on the task of "female streaking" in Saint's Row II, which is sure to make all of our lives very annoying for weeks to come, or as soon as the mainstream media sees it. It's not really SFW, even though the lady business has been blurred out, giving the appearance that a giant Barbie doll became sentient and horrifically confused. But before you hop over the break to bask in utterly non-erotic semi-nudity, we'd ask you to reconsider. You're better than that, right? We're honestly a little embarrassed we brought it up. You wouldn't want your mom, girlfriend or, heck, even your friends who've seen actual boobs before to catch you watching something like that, would you? Why don't you just scroll down to the next post, dignity intact? Or, to put it more simply ... "Don't look, Ethel!" [Via ToaRG]
