WarioWare D.I.Y. videos show you how to … D.I.Y.

So you want to make a video game. Most folks would tell you, “Start simple.” Well, it doesn’t get much simpler than the “microgames” of the WarioWare series, which are about as long as … that pause right there. WarioWare D.I.Y. is all about building your own teeny-tiny titles — as talked about in our recent preview of the game app game-app — and Nintendo’s attempting to show how easy it can be with a series of brief tutorial videos. We’ve plugged in the one above, as well as another after the break for your educational needs.

You’ll notice that the guy in the videos is using a DSi XL — we can tell you that, after seeing the hardware running D.I.Y. in person, the hefty handheld’s humongous screens really are great for editing sprites and other details, as is the pen-sized stylus. Either that, or our eyesight really is getting worse.

Continue reading WarioWare D.I.Y. videos show you how to … D.I.Y.

JoystiqWarioWare D.I.Y. videos show you how to … D.I.Y. originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The monsters you didn’t see in BioShock

The world of Rapture as it appeared in the first BioShock may have seemed totally complete, but Irrational Games revealed some elements that were kept behind the development curtain from us — basically, monsters. The company revealed some rejected enemy designs from its “Vault,” including some mutants that were much more … mutated than the Splicers we saw in the final game.

We imagine that people wouldn’t look back so fondly on their experience in Rapture if it had been populated by melting guys and people that were in the process of turning into giant bugs. Creepy little girls seem just a bit less creepy in comparison.

JoystiqThe monsters you didn’t see in BioShock originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Quest: A few mid-week laughs

Here at WoW.com we’re on a Daily Quest (which we try to do every day, honest) to bring you interesting, informative and entertaining WoW-related links from around the blogosphere. Is there a story out there we ought to link or a blog we should be following? Just leave us a comment and you may see it here tomorrow!

Everyone needs a good laugh now and again — and what better time than Wednesday, the middle of the week when the weekend seems both so near and so very far away. The above image comes, of course, from our plushie photo contest, which has some very lol-worthy entries, but I’m sure you’ll also enjoy the following:

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The Daily Quest: A few mid-week laughs originally appeared on WoW.com on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toy Story 3, Brunswick Pro Bowling added to PlayStation Move lineup

Sony has added two titles to the PlayStation Move’s launch lineup that we haven’t seen before. Not only will you be able to get your Move on in Slider, Sports Champions and all of the other announced launch titles, but we can now add Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 3 and Brunswick Pro Bowling into the mix as well. Toy Story 3 is of course a tie-in to the movie, and Brunswick is in there because you can’t have a motion controller in 2010 without a bowling game attached.

No seriously, you can’t. Which is weird, because the future of gaming sure does look a lot like the 2007 of gaming. Only with better graphics.

[Via PSLS]

JoystiqToy Story 3, Brunswick Pro Bowling added to PlayStation Move lineup originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega Aiming to Reestablish Respect for Older IPs




Between the first Sonic the Hedgehog reboot, Golden Axe: Beast Rider and other less than stellar titles, Sega’s original IPs have taken a bit of a beating. No more though, the publisher said in a recent interview with Computer and Video Games.

“It’s important that our old IPs are respected, [and] we need to deliver a good product,” said Sega’s Mike Hayes. “And in some instances we have done that – look back at when we re-did Sega Rally. It scored well and was moderately successful commercially. But then with other great franchises like Golden Axe we didn’t produce a great game at all.”

He continued, “Going forward, if we’re going to look at any existing IP to bring out the locker, we have to make sure we get the quality to a level we now expect. I’m not saying which IP it would be – a Streets Of Rage, a Crazy Taxi, whatever. What we have to do now is build something that is 85 percent plus [rated]. We can’t just get away with PR.”

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Impressions: Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse – The Penal Zone (PS3)

You wouldn’t expect to find “We’ve tightened up the graphics on Episode Three” among the usual list of noted improvements between Telltale’s episodic releases. After all, with endearing, demented characters like Sam and Max taking up quite a bit of the screen, who cares how many polygons are left for that pot plant in the corner?

“We wanted to bump everything up presentation-wise for this season,” said designer Chuck Jordan, drawing attention to the Telltale engine’s impressive — nay, tight — visual enhancements. The Penal Zone, the first of five monthly episodes comprising Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse, features noticeably improved lighting, real-time shadows and more expressive facial animation. As Jordan pointed out, “an expression can sell a joke for the first time.”

Based on the demo I saw at the Game Developers Conference, it’s also apparent that the improved graphics do make a difference to that pot plant. Because you transform into one. “When you finally get to control Max,” Jordan said, “it’s really weird.” Like, really really weird.

Continue reading Impressions: Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse – The Penal Zone (PS3)

JoystiqImpressions: Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse – The Penal Zone (PS3) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trickster Online’s Spring Poppuri Olympics flings out prizes

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They all laughed at you when you told them you were playing a 2D sprite-based MMORPG with characters cuter than The Smurfs, Rainbow Brite and Pokémon all rolled into one. Now you have the chance to wave a brand-new iPod touch in their faces and crow “Who’s laughing now? Who’s laughing now?” as they fall to their knees and scream to the sky.

Ntreev’s Trickster Online continues to roll out special events and contests for its playerbase, as it just announced their Spring Poppuri Olympics, which starts March 18th and runs through April 7th. Players can net some snazzy prizes through this event, including an in-game pet, an iPod Touch 32G, an autographed 2010 World Cup soccer ball, and more.

To win, players are tasked to drill for special “Poppuri Boxes” hidden across Caballa Island. If you are level 40 and find at least 200 of these boxes, you will be eligible to win the goodies. “We love to watch the fierce drilling spirit of our players during these Poppuri events,” said Chris Lee, CEO of Ntreev USA. “Players will be rewarded nicely with some fabulous prizes for this exciting event and we hope to deliver more events in the future with even greater in-game and real-world prizes.”

Since Trickster Online is a free-to-play title, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t head on over to their website, and check it out to see if it’s up your alley. And with the lure of a free iPod touch, there’s no time like the present!

MassivelyTrickster Online’s Spring Poppuri Olympics flings out prizes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story includes playable Curly Brace

In case anyone is still on the fence about paying for a WiiWare version of a freeware game — although a couple of years of anticipation have probably killed that — this Cave Story video (after the break) shows something pretty appealing: a second playable character. And not just any character, either. Curly Brace is a fan favorite, appearing in the game in a capacity we won’t discuss too much to avoid spoilers.

We’re checking with Nicalis now to learn more about her inclusion — whether she’s part of the initial download or DLC, and how her presence affects gameplay. Worst case scenario: we find out on Monday when the game comes out.

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Joystiq NintendoCave Story includes playable Curly Brace originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New EA Sports MMA trailer starts a fight

“Now it’s a fight,” this new trailer for EA Sports MMA proudly proclaims. And it’s true — EA Sports has a huge fight ahead of it. Not only is EA Sports MMA a latecomer to the genre, it’s missing the UFC license and some of the biggest fighters in the business. Still, the game looks to stay true to its promise of showcasing “authentic Strikeforce environments,” and the animation does look particularly good (and very reminiscent of the Fight Night series).

Still, it’s hard to know if EA Sports has what it takes to go up against THQ in the MMA arena. Will EA get its foot in the ring, or will it be KO’d before the fight even begins?

JoystiqNew EA Sports MMA trailer starts a fight originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Two Bosses Enter: Tyrannus tyrannizes Krick and Ick; Falric faces Paletress

Two Bosses Enter … but only One Boss Leaves, in WoW.com’s series of fantasy death matches. It’s a brand new season and a brand new format, introducing judges from WoW.com and the WoW community at large — and of course, your votes. Grab a seat, and let’s get ready to rumble!

The Thunderdome’s no Bartertown, Krick and Ick are no Master Blaster … and as many expected, Scourgelord Tyrannus dominated this week’s Two Bosses fantasy deathmatch. More than three-quarters of the spectators anointed the Scourgelord with the victor’s crown. The judges tied it up for Tyrannus as well, leaving the path clear for what’s shaping up to be an intriguing match, Falric vs. Argent Confessor Paletress. (By the way, if you’re a fan of the cage match genre, check out last week’s match on Suvudu: Jaime Lannister vs. Hermione Granger — yeah, it’s so one-sided it’s just mean, but sometimes those are the train wrecks we love to watch go down. George R.R. Martin himself weighs in, too; get back to writing, bud. )

Join us after the break for the judges’ decisions, plus your chance to vote in Falric vs. Paletress. For in the words of Dr. Dealgood: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls … Dyin’ time’s here.”

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Two Bosses Enter: Tyrannus tyrannizes Krick and Ick; Falric faces Paletress originally appeared on WoW.com on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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