Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/JoystiqThe Joystiq Podcast combines insightful commentary on the week's video game news and culture with several disembodied, often spooky, voices. Voices may or may not belong to Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann, Joystiq.com editors, or their guests. Spookiness not guaranteed where prohibited, please check local laws. More information available at www.joystiq.comThis Wednesday: MLB Stickball on XBLAhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/this-wednesday-mlb-stickball-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/this-wednesday-mlb-stickball-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/this-wednesday-mlb-stickball-on-xbla/#commentsFiled under: ,

stickball
It's October and many of you are still reeling from late-season collapses (hey Mets!) or more recent ones (was it the curse?). But a few of us have waited fifteen years to feel this high heading into the league championship series (and happily distracted from the Eagles' sinking record), and what better way to align our collective karma than to play a game of stickball? No, no, not actual stickball (by all means, stay seated), but 2K Sports new Xbox Live Arcade game-cum-reliable-prediction-simulator MLB Stickball (800 / $10), featuring 120 players from all 30 teams.

So head out to the back-alley ballpark, Dodgers vs. Phillies, and see to it the right team wins. Seriously people: Don't. Jinx. Anything!
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]]>2k-sportsbaseballmlbmlb-stickballxblaxblawednesdayMon, 06 Oct 2008 16:30:00 ESTMadden NFL 09 Pink to support breast cancer foundationhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/madden-nfl-09-pink-to-support-breast-cancer-foundation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/madden-nfl-09-pink-to-support-breast-cancer-foundation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/madden-nfl-09-pink-to-support-breast-cancer-foundation/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



EA Sports announced today that Madden NFL 09 Pink will be sold at Target, with a portion of the proceeds from the sale going to the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation. The box will be available during the month of October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and can also be purchased at Target.com and NFLShop.com.

We called EA Sports to find out how this "new" art still has Favre in his Packers uniform. Turns out the pink ribbon design is actually part of a clear overlay inside the cover. Meaning, consumers can completely remove it if they want, or place the Favre Jets cover in behind it. Behold, the freedom of choice.
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]]>eaea-sportsmaddenmadden-09madden-nfl-09targetFri, 03 Oct 2008 16:15:00 ESTTKO! New Punch-Out!! coming to Wii in 2009http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/tko-new-punch-out-coming-to-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/tko-new-punch-out-coming-to-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/tko-new-punch-out-coming-to-wii/#commentsFiled under: ,

At a press conference in Japan, Nintendo announced that a new Punch-Out!! game will be coming to the Wii. No other related news is currently available, but we're guessing it'll share some similarities with the boxing stage from Wii Fit.

Update: Check out videos right here, where Punch-Out!! is shown as a 2009 release.
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]]>breakingnewsnintendopunch-outThu, 02 Oct 2008 02:04:00 ESTMetareview - Purehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/metareview-pure/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/metareview-pure/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/metareview-pure/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We're been excited for Pure since E3, when we first got our hands on the ATV racer. Built by Blackrock Studios (formerly known as Climax Racing) Pure is gorgeous, with a Burnout-esque structure and a "why has no one thought of this" boosting risk/reward system that's just brilliant. Here's what the rest of the internet thought:
  • GameDaily (90/100): "When it comes right down to it, though, Pure has some of the best racing action we've seen all year. The throttling gameplay, gorgeous presentation and sweet multiplayer options make it a ride you cannot miss."
  • IGN (86/100): "Pure delivers an outrageous, arcadey off-road racing experience with style and slickness. The controls are intuitive, the tracks are pure eye candy and the tricks are so crazy and over-the-top that you'll find yourself gasping with glee when you land your first Lazy Girl."
  • 1UP (83/100): "Thrilling on the ground, downright heart-stopping in the air, and beautiful throughout, Pure's a blast from start to finish. A career mode would've gone further than the game's 'World Tour' in fully eliminating repetitiveness, but Black Rock has otherwise built a real winner here."
  • Gameplanet (85/100): "This is a great example of what can be achieved if fun is the primary aim. Massive tricks, amazing scenery, hugely modifiable bikes - what more do you want?"
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]]>blackrock-studiosdisneydisney-interactivepureWed, 24 Sep 2008 09:15:00 ESTVectorman dodges balls on Virtual Console todayhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/vectorman-dodges-balls-on-virtual-console-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/vectorman-dodges-balls-on-virtual-console-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/vectorman-dodges-balls-on-virtual-console-today/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A pseudo-classic Genesis sidescroller debuts on Virtual Console today, as well as an NES sports favorite ... but really, you're playing Mega Man 9 right now. We know. You're not even reading this, are you?
  • Super Dodge Ball (NES, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): Without adding too much innuendo, the gameplay is pretty self-explanatory. You dodge balls.
  • Vectorman (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): While he never became as popular as Mega Man, this robot fought without a torso, and best of all, could shoot upwards.
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]]>genesisnessega-genesissuper-dodge-ballvectormanvirtual-consolevirtual-console-mondayvirtualconsolevirtualconsolemondayMon, 22 Sep 2008 12:10:00 ESTTecmo Bowl Kickoff trailer touches downhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/tecmo-bowl-kickoff-trailer-touches-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/tecmo-bowl-kickoff-trailer-touches-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/tecmo-bowl-kickoff-trailer-touches-down/#commentsFiled under: ,

With its epic voice-over and claims that you've pretty much never played football like this ever, the latest trailer for Tecmo Bowl Kickoff nearly makes the game seem like it will have you saving the universe. Of course, unless you squint to catch the actual gameplay on the bottom screen, you'd also think it's comprised entirely of cinematics.

Still, it's nice to see this level of production being lavished on a handheld treatment of the bona fide classic, even if it is a bit extreme ... as extreme as pint-sized pigskin can get, at least. Oh, and we think you have played a football game like this before: the original Tecmo Bowl. (That's not a bad thing.)
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]]>tecmotecmo-bowltecmo-bowl-kickoffThu, 18 Sep 2008 23:45:00 ESTSee Fight Night Round 4 in shaky-cam actionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/see-fight-night-4-in-shaky-cam-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/see-fight-night-4-in-shaky-cam-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/see-fight-night-4-in-shaky-cam-action/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Quick, before someone makes them pull it down, check out the shaky-cam footage of Fight Night Round 4 some adventurous GameStop employee captured at the company's recent expo. Go ahead, it's right after the jump. We can wait, we've got a few other things we needed to do anyway.

... Finished? Honestly, after a string of disappointing boxing titles, we think that taking a more physics-based approach sounds pretty intriguing, but we're worried that the realism might start to bog down the fun. What do you think?

[Thanks, MOT]

Continue reading See Fight Night Round 4 in shaky-cam action

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]]>fight-nightfight-night-round-4gamestop-expoThu, 18 Sep 2008 11:45:00 ESTMLB Stickball coming to XBLAhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/mlb-stickball-coming-to-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/mlb-stickball-coming-to-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/mlb-stickball-coming-to-xbla/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you like movies, you know that children of America used to occupy their free time with exactly two activities in olden days. Assuming that "Charles Barkley's Shut Up and Spin A Metal Circle Down the Street With a Stick" will never be released, we'll have to make do with MLB Stickball, coming to XBLA from 2K, for all our short-pants, turn-of-the-century American fantasies.

The multiplayer game features several different cities like New York and Boston, interactive environments and collectible packs of Topps baseball cards that, when opened, supply new members to the game's teams, which even we have to admit is a pretty adorable idea. Look for this "Game We're Most Surprised Isn't on Wii Award" contender on Oct. 8.

[Via X3F]
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]]>2k-gamesmlb-stickballxblaThu, 18 Sep 2008 10:15:00 ESTKonami scores UEFA assets for Pro Evolution Soccer franchisehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/14/konami-scores-uefa-assets-for-pro-evolution-soccer-franchise/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/14/konami-scores-uefa-assets-for-pro-evolution-soccer-franchise/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/14/konami-scores-uefa-assets-for-pro-evolution-soccer-franchise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Electronic Arts has had the NFL completely monopolized since 2005, giving them exclusive rights to official league teams and players for their Madden franchise -- but did you also know that they've also traditionally had assets for most professional European soccer leagues tied up as well? (You did? Well aren't you awesome.) However, Konami recently released some details concerning the next installment in their Pro Evolution Soccer franchise -- chief among these being their new licensing deals with the UEFA, as well as the Manchester United and Liverpool football clubs.

Assets from the UEFA as well as the two clubs will be included in Pro Evolution Soccer 2009. It's quite a coup for Konami, whose sales figures for PES titles have traditionally paled in comparison to those of EA's FIFA series. We anticipate EA's retaliation -- we hear they're in talks with various athletic leagues to purchase the exclusive rights for sports.
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]]>footballkonamiliverpoolmanchester-unitedpes-2009pro-evolution-soccersocceruefaSun, 14 Sep 2008 19:00:00 ESTJoystiq hands-on: Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Carshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/joystiq-hands-on-supersonic-acrobatic-rocket-powered-battle-car/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/joystiq-hands-on-supersonic-acrobatic-rocket-powered-battle-car/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/joystiq-hands-on-supersonic-acrobatic-rocket-powered-battle-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click to enlarge
Say it with us now: Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars. Kind of makes your mouth hurt, doesn't it? We're not sure exactly what Psyonix was thinking when it chose that name for its first PSN title, but our early in-person glimpse of the game makes us want to forgive and move on.

Running on Unreal Engine 3 (in fact, Psyonix was responsible for the popular Onslaught game type in the Unreal Tournament series) the game is, by both the developer's account and our own, a mix of car combat and soccer. Strange, we know, but it all makes sense - and looks quite fun - when the action commences.
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Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars

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]]>hands-onjoystiqfeaturespsnpsyonix-studiossupersonic-acrobatic-rocket-powered-battle-carsTue, 09 Sep 2008 10:30:00 ESTThis Wednesday: Samurai Showdown II, Rocket Bowl, Shotest Shogi hit XBLA [update]http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/this-wednesday-samurai-showdown-ii-rocket-bowl-shotest-shogi/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/this-wednesday-samurai-showdown-ii-rocket-bowl-shotest-shogi/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/this-wednesday-samurai-showdown-ii-rocket-bowl-shotest-shogi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's another triple-threat (erm, make that treat) this week for Xbox Live Arcade connoisseurs. Debuting after the Virtual Console version, the classic Neo-Geo fighter, Samurai Shodown II, arrives at 400 ($5) [800 ($10)] and should be worth all 32 quarters if it's a carbon copy of the arcade / ridiculously expensive home version.

Joining the sword-clashing samurai are Rocket Bowl, D3Publisher's absurd - yet interesting - take on bowling, and Shotest (not Shortest) Shogi, a prim-and-proper multiplayer version of the classic Japanese table game from Microsoft. They're both hitting at 800 ($10) each.

Also prepped to pop up in the Marketplace are 1200 new puzzles for Buku Sudoku (200 / $2.50) and the second set of expansion levels for N+ (200 / $2.50).

[Update: "Starting on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Xbox Live members will have the opportunity to download Samurai Showdown II for 800. The game was previously listed incorrectly at 400, and we apologize for the error," reads an Xbox Press media alert.]
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]]>buku-sudokun-plusrocket-bowlsamurai-shodown-2shotest-shogixbla-wednesdayxblawednesdayMon, 08 Sep 2008 22:00:00 ESTDem-o-matic: Guitar Hero Aerosmith and NBA Live 09http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/dem-o-matic-guitar-hero-aerosmith-and-nba-live-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/dem-o-matic-guitar-hero-aerosmith-and-nba-live-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/dem-o-matic-guitar-hero-aerosmith-and-nba-live-09/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The whole point of Guitar Hero Aerosmith is to give you a taste of what it would be like to be part of the seminal classic rock band. So, what would a taste of a taste of Aerosmith be (besides bitter with a hint of copper)? That's right: A demo for the game, now available on Xbox Live, including "Sweet Emotion," "Dream On," "Walk this Way" and others.

Also on XBL is the demo for NBA Live 09, the taste of which we can't even begin to contemplate.
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]]>demosguitar-heroguitar-hero-aerosmithnba-live-09Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:10:00 ESTNo curse, but Madden 09 has bugshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/no-curse-but-madden-09-has-bugs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/no-curse-but-madden-09-has-bugs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/no-curse-but-madden-09-has-bugs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

madden 09
With the NFL regular season just barely underway, there's plenty of time for the Madden Curse to sink its hooks into Mr. Favre's vulnerable ankle, but for now, EA is busy squashing a host of bugs that have crawled out of the bowels of latest edition of Madden. The major pest is a freezing issue that can crop up during play calling and highlight screens, reports IGN. Senior designer Ian Cummings has documented most, if not all known bugs on the game's Producer Blog, recommending various workarounds while the team puts together a patch. EA is targeting "less than a 3 week turnaround" from last Tuesday for the update to be released. So put a big checkmark next to the 16th and cross your fingers.
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]]>bugseaea-sportsmaddenmadden-09madden-nfl-09Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:30:00 ESTNew tech puts ESPN anchors on video game gridironhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/new-tech-puts-espn-anchors-on-video-game-gridiron/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/new-tech-puts-espn-anchors-on-video-game-gridiron/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/new-tech-puts-espn-anchors-on-video-game-gridiron/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Don't be surprised if this Sunday's edition of ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown looks a bit more like a game of Madden. According to a New York Times report, the Disney-owned sports network will use the "EA Sports Virtual Playbook" and a special studio and camera setup to allow "both real and virtual people move around the ESPN set to demonstrate plays and possible situations." It sure sounds a lot simpler than getting real NFL players to crash around the set, but we'll reserve judgment until we see it in action this weekend.
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]]>ea sportsEA-sportsEaSportsESPNfootballmaddenvirtualFri, 05 Sep 2008 16:50:00 ESTJoystiq interview: Blazing Lizard on Pirates vs. Ninjas vs. Nixonhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/joystiq-interview-blazing-lizard-on-pirates-vs-ninjas-vs-nixo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/joystiq-interview-blazing-lizard-on-pirates-vs-ninjas-vs-nixo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/joystiq-interview-blazing-lizard-on-pirates-vs-ninjas-vs-nixo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click to enl-arrr-ge
If there's one thing we've learned about Christopher Stockman, Studio Director for developer Blazing Lizard, it's that he's a very good sport. Not only did he agree to speak with us on the phone (most people regret this instantly), but he bravely ran into our questions head-on. He's obviously rubbish at dodgeball.

Read on for our interview regarding Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball, deceased presidents and Xbox Live Arcade's infamous certification process.

Alright, be honest. How sick are you of interviewers asking you to pick between pirates and ninjas?

You know what, I haven't had very many interviews lately, so I'm fresh. I'm not quite a virgin with regards to pirates and ninjas in interviews, but close enough. Born again, you could say.

Plus, you know, it's obviously PIRATES.

Well, some would say it's obviously NINJAS, so the argument rages on.

How much longer do you give this meme before it's gone?

Continue reading Joystiq interview: Blazing Lizard on Pirates vs. Ninjas vs. Nixon

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]]>Blazing-LizardChris-StockmanDLCPirates-vs-Ninjas-DodgeballPSNWiiWareXBLAWed, 03 Sep 2008 14:30:00 ESTX3F goes hooks-on with Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball multiplayerhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/x3f-goes-hooks-on-with-pirates-vs-ninja-dodgeball-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/x3f-goes-hooks-on-with-pirates-vs-ninja-dodgeball-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/x3f-goes-hooks-on-with-pirates-vs-ninja-dodgeball-multiplayer/#commentsFiled under: , ,


This Wednesday will see the latest round in the eternal battle between pirates and ninjas arrive on Xbox Live Arcade. Although we caught them coexisting on film at PAX 2008, know well that these two groups are still very much rivals, ready to take desperate measures (dodgeball, naturally) to settle their scores once and for all. (Or at least until someone comes up with another PvN game concept.)

X3F had the opportunity to play the game's developer, Blazing Lizard, in a number of multiplayer modes featured in the final game (but that weren't originally; it was just going to be a one-mode affair) and survived to offer their thoughts. Click here to get your read on, whether you wear a black hood or an eye patch.

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]]>blazing-lizardhands-onpirates-vs-ninjas-dodgeballx3fxblaTue, 02 Sep 2008 23:00:00 ESTBeijing 2008 demo goes for the (Xbox Live) Goldhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/beijing-2008-demo-goes-for-the-xbox-live-gold/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/beijing-2008-demo-goes-for-the-xbox-live-gold/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/beijing-2008-demo-goes-for-the-xbox-live-gold/#commentsFiled under: ,


We've been in Olympic withdrawal in recent weeks, wishing that we could just once more see Michael Phelps win America's heart through wild gesticulation or try to deduce which one of the Croatian swimming team members is actually a dude (spoiler alert: all of them).

Now, you can recapture the glory with a new demo for Beijing 2008 that has just arrived on the 360, a sample of what has been called "the best Olympics game ever." Sure, that's a little like being the world's mightiest primordial dwarf, but it's also plenty endorsement for something that's completely free.
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]]>beijing-2008demosxbox-liveTue, 02 Sep 2008 08:50:00 ESTPirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball coming to Wiihttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/pirates-vs-ninjas-dodgeball-coming-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/pirates-vs-ninjas-dodgeball-coming-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/pirates-vs-ninjas-dodgeball-coming-to-the-wii/#commentsFiled under: ,


Just a week or so before the game lands on XBLA, we get word that Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball will be coming to the Wii this winter. In addition to eight-player, seven-team pirate-on-ninja action, the Wii version will include "all-new story and challenge modes, along with several customized control schemes." We don't know how much they'll be asking, but with the 800 point XBLA asking price, we're hoping for "not a heck of a lot more than $10."

Wow, PS2, PSP and now XBLA. What can't you port onto that thing?
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]]>blazing-lizardgamecockpirates-vs-ninjaspirates-vs-ninjas-dodgeballThu, 28 Aug 2008 10:45:00 ESTMetareview - Mario Super Sluggers (Wii)http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/metareview-mario-super-sluggers-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/metareview-mario-super-sluggers-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/metareview-mario-super-sluggers-wii/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mario steps up to bat on the Wii and ... well, doesn't strike out, but doesn't hit a home run, either. That's the consensus (minus the baseball terminology) on the latest mascot-ified sports title from Nintendo, Mario Super Sluggers. Mario Strikers Charged was the last, and scored (both a gaming and sports term) a bit better overall. We're just excited to finally see the Wii Sports baseball mini-game fleshed out into something that will (we'd hope) have us playing for more than, oh, two minutes.
  • 1UP (B): "Super Sluggers succeeds and fails as most Mario sports games do. Its quick, arcade-style action is easy to get into and plenty fun, coming at the expense of the nuances - and balance - you'll find in a sim."
  • GameDaily (80/100): "What it lacks in innovation and online play, Mario Super Sluggers makes up for with its robust modes, fun controls and multiplayer options. If you're a fan of either the characters or the sport, you owe it to yourself to round these bases."
  • Game Informer (55/100): "Multiplayer is amusing in that hanging out with your friends is fun anyway, but the single-player content is truly terrible. A series of boring one-off challenges punctuated by simplistic exploration and the occasional full game makes up Mario's quest to foil Bowser Jr. via baseball. Yes, it's as insipid as it sounds."
  • IGN (74/100): "We wouldn't go as far as to say this is Nintendo-made shovelware, but there's very little that has changed in the three years between Mario Superstar Baseball on GCN, and Mario Super Sluggers on Wii.
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]]>mario-super-sluggersmetareviewnintendoThu, 28 Aug 2008 07:00:00 ESTJoystiq X08 interview: NHL 09 producer Andy Agostinihttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/joystiq-x08-interview-nhl-09-producer-andy-agostini/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/joystiq-x08-interview-nhl-09-producer-andy-agostini/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/joystiq-x08-interview-nhl-09-producer-andy-agostini/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Who says a sports franchise can't reinvent itself? For EA Sports, the NHL game franchise has done just that over the last three versions. After introducing the analog control mechanic in NHL 07 along with the AHL teams and Create-a-Play feature in NHL 08, it would appear the franchise has gone as far as it can. Well, sports fans, NHL 09 attempts to break the mold once again with its Be a Pro mode. The mode is instantly recognizable to fans of FIFA 08 but different because it's spread across seasons in NHL 09, rather than single games.

In an interview with Joystiq at Microsoft's X08 in Toronto, NHL 09 producer Andy Agostini discussds the Be a Pro mode, annual creativity and the hardships of updating rosters after a title ships.



[MP3] Download this interview in MP3 format
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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>ea-sportsnhl-09x08Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST