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VGA 2009: Naughty Dog's Evan Wells talks Uncharted 2 DLC, focuses on multiplayer
This past Saturday brought us the Spike TV Video Game Awards and – before experiencing the litany of world exclusives that awaited us inside – we spent some time outside cruising the red carpet and talking (briefly!) to many of the game developers and talent. We squeezed them for information as fast as we could while simultaneously wishing them holiday cheer and good tidings. Yes, it was as awkward as it sounds. Here's what we learned from Naughty Dog's Evan Wells about Uncharted 2. Are we going to see any campaign DLC? Well, that certainly is a possibility but right now we're focusing on multiplayer. We're working on some new maps, we have a couple of new game modes in the works, and a lot of skins. So we're going to focus on that right now. Has anything surprised you since launch? Oh, completely. We've been updating our online functionality constantly. We have a new patch coming out later this month, we're improving the load times, we've added leaderboards, we've added clan tags. So really, we're continuing to expand on the online functionality.
Science: Uncharted 2 is the best game of 2009
Who says so? Science says so. Just look at the numbers in this Metacritic round-up of the year's top games and it's pretty obvious that Uncharted 2 is the best. Also, according to math, the PS3 is better than the 360. This isn't us or even Metacritic saying it, people, these are innocent, irrefutable numbers. In all seriousness, while Metacritic has collected some interesting, worthwhile data in its report, we're not sure what the point is in trying to pick the best system or game of 2009 just going by statistics. We've relied on numbers just to help us organize our annual Game of the Year selection, and even so, just look how much damage they were still capable of.
GDC 2010 schedule and speakers partially revealed
Though it lacks the glitz, glamor and booth babes of consumer-based expos, the Game Developer's Conference has plenty to capture the attention of the cerebral game enthusiast. The event's official site recently posted a smattering of the lectures, roundtables, and panels which will take place from March 9 - 13, showcasing the efforts of the creators of Brütal Legend, Uncharted 2 and Braid, to name a few. These events are broken into tracks representing the various types of work that go into making a game. For instance, Naughty Dog's Richard Lemarchand will be leading a post-mortem of Uncharted 2 as part of the Production Track. Double Fine's Peter Demoreuille and Drew Skillman will be talking about crafting the visuals of Brutal Legend for the Art Track. And Jonathan Blow is leading a discussion on implementing time travel in games as part of the sparsely populated Quantum Physics Phenomena Track. [Via Gamasutra]
TIME declares Modern Warfare 2 top game of 2009
Opening its rationalization with the arguable statement that Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 has "something intelligent to say about contemporary military conflicts," Time Magazine's "Top 10 Games" of 2009 list recently declared the title its "Game of the Year." MW2 was closely followed by Batman: Arkham Asylum and DJ Hero, while the recent Uncharted 2 and Assassin's Creed 2 landed on the bottom of the list. The seemingly annual Flash/iPhone game choice this year turned out to be Geo Defense Swarm, while Link's latest adventure sat out the ubiquitous DS spot -- a spot filled by Scribblenauts, it would seem. As always, Joystiq will have our own Game of the Year awards going live just after the new year, so be sure to keep it locked!
Uncharted 2 tests experimental MP playlists this weekend
In an attempt to keep that fresh, new game smell on Uncharted 2, developer Naughty Dog will be implementing some "experimental" changes to the game's online multiplayer modes this weekend. First, a new playlist comprised solely of Plunder matches will be introduced into the mix -- a filter that the community has been requesting since the game first launched. Second, for this weekend only, all players' health will be reduced to 65 percent. It's a side effect from the game's "Crushing" difficulty setting, which the developer thinks could ramp up the speed and intensity of multiplayer firefights. Naughty Dog is asking for feedback on these temporary changes, so if you're not a fan (or, alternatively, if you're a superfan) of the new playlist or diminished health capacity, drop a comment on the studio's blog.
Amazon.com's Cyber Monday deals available now
In the market for Nathan Drake's latest adventure but not trying to spend a hidden fortune on it? Amazon.com's Cyber Monday deals are here to help, offering Uncharted 2 for only $40, among other great deals. How about Left 4 Dead 2 for $40? Or maybe you'd prefer a 60-hour-long fantasy RPG for the same price? Amazon has you covered. Look, we'd keep listing deals here, but there's kind of a lot. So pick your console of choice (Nintendo Wii / DS, PlayStation 3, or Xbox 360) and check out all the savings for yourself. While it's not quite Steam levels of insane price drops, we're quite partial to games for a third or more off normal retail price. Aren't you?
Uncharted 2 gets DLC fort free on Friday, Nov. 27
Click to doughnut-size. PS3 owners will want to stay home on Black Friday. Why? Naughty Dog is releasing the first downloadable content for Uncharted 2's multiplayer mode this Friday, November 27. A title update will add "The Fort," a brand new multiplayer map supposedly based on the "Fortress" chapter of Drake's Fortune. According to the press release, "The Fort is a long rectangular map with wide open spaces and excellent flank routes." There's a shotgun in the center of the map and an RPG in the crypt (the inevitable resting place of people on the wrong end of that weapon). Best of all, this update will be free. Once the patch goes live at 1PM ET, Naughty Dog will also initiate a Double Cash weekend. Teams will have special skins in competitive matches: Doughnut Drake for the Heroes (pictured above), and Doughnut Lazarevic for the Villains. See a video after the break. %Gallery-78935%
Rumor: Uncharted movie gets new writers
Last we heard about the movie version of Uncharted, it was in the hands of writer Kyle Ward, who most recently penned the big screen adaptation of Kane and Lynch. According to a rumor being reported by LatinoReview.com, Ward has been removed by Sony and producer Avi Arad, who didn't want to wait on the script while Ward finished his current project, Hitman 2. Reportedly, Sony is considering filling his slot with Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer, the duo that's currently writing a relaunch of Conan. The bigger surprise, of course, is that movies based on video games have scripts. Who knew?
Joystiq Podcast 117 - Call of Warfare edition
We've finally ditched the game talk in an effort to accommodate our beloved host. This week, it's just carpentry talk, with all the drill bit and sandpaper news you crave. If you're more interested in DJ Hero, Assassin's Creed 2 and Modern Warfare 2 chat, we might be able to squeeze in a few minutes for that too. Maybe. And thanks to Evan Hodgins for helping us to celebrate Movember, which we would otherwise be genetically unable to do. Get the podcast: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast in iTunes [Zune] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace [RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Hosts: Christopher Grant (@chrisgrant), Justin McElroy (@justinmcelroy) and Ludwig Kietzmann (@LudwigK) Music: "Gravity (Don't Let Me Go)" by Jon Black, "Red Eye" by Ben Kweller For fans: Joystiq Podcast Facebook group The Do It Line!: 1-(877)-JOYSTIQ See all of this week's links (and what games we played) after the jump.
Sony: Uncharted 2 has sold over one million copies
Okay, so Modern Warfare 2 sold more copies than there are people on the planet -- let's not get so lost in the hub-bub of everyone's new fling that we forget about the practically ancient Uncharted 2. Aren't you curious how it's been selling? Well, earlier today, at the BMO Capital Markets "Digital Entertainment Conference," Sony America VP of Business Development Phil Rosenberg announced that "as of last week, we've already sold over a million copies [of Uncharted 2] in just a couple weeks on the market." We have no way of knowing whether that number is accurate, though with the NPDs due out later today, we imagine we'll be finding out soon if it's as inflated as Nate Drake's ego, or if it's as accurate as Nate Drake ... using ... using a sniper rifle. And shooting stuff. Like, in an accurate manner. [Via G4TV]
Pepsi partners with Uncharted 2 for PS3 bundle giveaway
Sure, you could be like one of those tea-bagging Mountain Dew drinkers, clearly unprepared for The Ride of Your Life™. Or, friend, you could be a hero. A Pepsi drinking hero. And that's exactly the choice that folks living in select states have to make when they go to their local supermarkets starting this week. If you dare to purchase specially-marked 12-packs of Pepsi, you could be 1 of 20 equally daring folks who wins a PlayStation 3 system and the entire Uncharted series (yep, all two games!). If not, you could be 1 of 200 intrepid adventurers who wins a copy of the most recent -- and most excellent -- game, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. If none of those, well ... you should probably switch to Coke.All the nitty gritty details are right here.
Uncharted 2 getting title update, Halloween festivities
Okay, so our initial observation that Uncharted 2 would soon receive skeletal Helghast was a bit far from the truth. Naughty Dog's Arne Meyer recently announced on Playstation.Blog that the half-tucked title would receive an update which addresses a number of multiplayer issues today. On top of that, anyone who plays the game online during this Halloween weekend will receive a treat infinitely more sweet than a fistful of Necco Wafers: Loads and loads of (in-game) cash money. Yes, the next few days will be a "Double Cash Weekend" for Uncharted 2 multiplayer matches. As you can probably suss out from the title, you'll earn double the rank-progressing moolah you would normally gain for playing the various online playlists. In addition, a bunch of Naughty Dog staffers will be playing this weekend -- presumably appearing as the crimson-eyed, skinless abominations seen above. We appreciate the work these folks have done, but following our strict undead infestation protocols, they must be purged.
Naughty Dog teases spooky Uncharted 2 image
We figured that Naughty Dog would tire of its propensity to tease us once Uncharted 2: Among Thieves had finally hit store shelves. However, if the developer's recent late-night tweet is any indication, its still got a few surprises up its sleeve. The aforementioned tweet simply read, "working late tonight, got a ton of things that need to get done," and included a link to the unsettling image above. If we were to wager a guess as to what those ... things are, our early analysis would be Helghast skeletons. Now, with Halloween coming up, the skeletons thing makes sense. Helghast, though? That's just garishly non-canonical.
Uncharted 2 exceeding sales expectations, DLC coming 'before the end' of 2009
digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/uncharted-2-dlc-coming-before-the-end-of-2009-exceeding-sales/'; With all the resounding critical praise that Naughty Dog's Uncharted 2 has received thus far, it's good to see creative director Amy Hennig speaking up on the possibility of DLC for the game. "We're working on that now ... there will be DLC available before the end of the year," she told IndustryGamers today. Though she's not yet revealing very much on what exactly the content will entail, she did say it may include, "new maps, new characters, things like that ... some of it will be free of charge and some of it will be purchasable." She wouldn't directly quote sales of the title thus far, but she did allow that the title is "exceeding expectations" and outselling the original game "by many, many times" -- a fact no doubt aided by the PlayStation 3's primary position among consoles on last month's NPDs. Hennig seems to embrace this head-on, referring to the confluence of events that lead to the current success of Uncharted 2 -- a hardware price drop, a handful of games being pushed back, and critical acclaim for the game -- as "serendipity." That doesn't mean the game ends in an expensive ice cream shop, right? %Gallery-70387%
Uncharted's Amy Hennig 'thrilled' by Nolan North's newfound success
Chances are, you recognize Nolan North as Nathan Drake from the Uncharted series. However, ever since the debut of the first game in the franchise, North has gone on to play a number of leading men, including the titular Prince of Persia and Jason from Shadow Complex. Uncharted creative director Amy Hennig admits that she's "thrilled to see people recognizing Nolan's talent and to see him getting all of the work that he can get and all of the recognition he can get." However, she tells Bitmob that she's "a little possessive" of North because "we were the ones with Uncharted who tapped into that talent in a way that I don't think anyone had recognized and done yet."North will undoubtedly continue to find success as the charming "everyday" man (who happens to be gifted with extraordinary acrobatic prowess). Hennig admits that "Nolan's going to get typecast because that is his persona. He's a funny guy and has that easy-going, roguish charm." Yeah, charming -- until he throws you off a cliff.
Uncharted 2 Home space opens on Thursday
It's hard for us to blame you for wanting to extend the Uncharted 2 experience. Who wouldn't want a big second helping of the one of the year's best titles? While it's no substitute, we're hopeful that the Home space based on the game opening on Thursday will help to fill the hole in your heart, if only a little. Those of you who haven't played the game might be able to help stave off the cravings with the space's three mini-games, though we'd submit that time would be far better spent finding a second job so you can just buy your own copy already.
FIFA 10 won't relinquish top UK sales spot to Uncharted 2
FIFA 10 may have seen a 54 percent sales drop in the UK last week, but it still maintained its place in the top sales spot for the region. The soccer football title has now surpassed the million sales mark and has done so three weeks faster than FIFA 09 did last year.Last week's PS3 mega-release, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, entered the "All Formats" chart in second place, but was top (naughty) dog on the PS3 sales chart. The franchise wasn't in uncharted territory, though, as the original also reached the top spot on the PS3 chart during its second week at retail. Brütal Legend's assault of the charts was less savage. The Tim Schafer creation premiered in the seventh position behind -- really?! -- Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. Source -- FIFA hat trick [Chart Track] Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]
Naughty Dog's Evan Wells: Motion controls will 'live alongside' conventional games
With this week's release of Uncharted 2, Naughty Dog's Evan Wells is likely finding it difficult to catch his breath while being buried in praise -- praise which is most certainly deserved. In an interview with VG247, Wells offers his opinion on the impact of motion controls on the future of gaming and he even rolls his sleeves up and wades into the console wars, addressing the always present question of platform superiority. In regards to motion controls, Wells doesn't expect the new tech promised to "supplant the traditional gaming controller any time in the near future," citing that there are just too many games that benefit from traditional controllers. He says these games "would lose something significant" when redesigned for a motion control experience, painting a picture of a future where these new motion-based titles are offered next to more traditional experiences. As for comments that Uncharted 2 could never work on the Xbox 360, Wells stresses that a platform does not dictate a game's worth and "the differences that you see between any two games has much more to do with the developer than whether it's on the Xbox or PS3." He says that great "programmers and great artists are going to make a great game" and we all know Uncharted 2 certainly had both in spades. In the end, it's not like the Xbox 360 would benefit from having Uncharted 2, anyway. We all know two identical entities can't occupy the same space at the same time.
Uncharted 2 sells well in Japan despite unsightly handicap
After Uncharted the First hit Japan with the force of a thousand baby chicken feathers, we didn't think the game's sequel would have much of an impact in the region. It seems we were mistaken -- according to a gaming retailer blog called Sinobi, Uncharted 2 sold 47,000 units in its first day at retail in Japan. Sure, it's not the biggest launch ever, but it's a huge improvement over the original Uncharted's first-day sales of 7,300 units. Of course, the original Uncharted didn't have the massive install base and Sony marketing support that Naughty Dog's latest endeavor has -- nor did it possess the simply stunning box art seen above. Seriously, Japanese Uncharted 2 box art, we're gonna need that breath back. You know, that breath that you took away. [Via Andriasang; image credit]
Sony's 250GB Uncharted 2 PlayStation 3 Slim bundle on sale in Spain
See that there? That's a whole gaggle of 250GB Uncharted 2 PlayStation 3 Slim bundles ready and waiting for owners in a Spanish retailer. Of course, SCEA won't mention if this thing is ever coming to US soil, but hey, that's what importers are there for. Anyone managed to pick one up yet? Let us know in comments![Thanks, Alex]
