Joystiq

Analyst: Modern Warfare 2 DLC could make $140 million in 2010

by Richard Mitchell { 24 minutes ago }

Now that Modern Warfare 2 has smashed launch records -- raking in serious cash in the process -- the way is paved for inevitable downloadable content. DLC will likely rake in serious cash of its own, according to Broadpoint AmTech analyst Ben Schachter, who tells IndustryGamers that DLC could bring in an additional $100-140 million in revenue next year. The figure is based on the DLC attach rate for the previous Call of Duty title, World at War, which sold 0.625 downloadable map packs per copy, according to Schachter. At $10 each, that means every copy of World at War generated an additional $6.25 after the initial retail purchase.

Assuming there are 14-16 million copies of Modern Warfare 2 in players homes by the time DLC launches, Schachter says the content could generate up to $140 million, minus the portion Activision has to pay to platform holders that host the DLC. Schachter also believes DLC will go beyond map packs, theorizing that Infinity Ward could offer in-game items, new game modes and new missions (more co-op sniping, please). Of course, expanded DLC content could result in higher prices this time around.

Only time will tell how well Modern Warfare 2 does post launch but, regardless of what kind of content is on offer, we imagine it will probably do okay.

WRUP: 'Precious' family moments edition

by Alexander Sliwinski { 50 minutes ago }

My family is awesome, especially Uncle Jame! He's a really nice guy and makes my sister some of the best dresses we've ever seen, the guy should totally be on Project Runway. He's got this adorable dog, Precious, but she's a bit yappy and smells like mothballs -- she also has this weird thing about holes in the ground. Come to think of it, Uncle Jame is a little weird. He always tells us to rub more juices over the turkey so that it's easier to cut later, and at the dinner table he always wants more gravy or "else we'll get the hose again." I don't quite get it, but he's a little eccentric. Nice guy, though ... I think.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and safe travels from all of us here at Joystiq. What's everyone playing this long weekend?

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Snap Judgment: Serious Sam HD

by Justin McElroy { 1 hour ago }

In Serious Sam, you use an increasingly powerful and ridiculous set of weaponry to blast an increasingly horrifying array of demons back to the dimension they came from. To put it another way, Serious Sam is what your grandmother imagines every video game to be.

Serious Sam: The First Encounter has just been brought into the modern era by Majesco and Devolver Digital with Serious Sam HD, on Steam today with a $20 price tag. I stepped into the beefy hero's signature T-shirt for a couple of hours to see how well the experience had held up over the years.

Gallery: Serious Sam: The First Encounter HD

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Patent details Xbox 360 hint system

by David Hinkle { 1 hour ago }

Microsoft must like Nintendo's new Super Guide system, because a patent has recently popped up online detailing a similar system for the Xbox 360. The core difference between Microsoft's proposed system and Nintendo's comes from community input; the patent not only touches on a way for users to submit screens and brief guides for those especially tough spots in games, but also says users will be able to include brief audio commentary and add to their screens using a digital pen feature. The system also details functionality for devs and publishers, giving their insights and guides more weight than those from the community.

It's ambitious, to say the least, and even though we foresee millions of potential Halo 3 teabagging tutorials, we're all for anything that helps us game better.

[Via Siliconera]

GAME and Activision UK team up for Modern Warfare 2 charity event next weekend

by David Hinkle { 2 hours ago }

War Child International is a coalition of organizations that seeks to aid children affected by war. Activision UK and GAME have decided to pitch in and are joining up to host an online event next weekend in Modern Warfare 2, asking that UK citizens play a bit of the game on Xbox Live. The more people enlist for action online, the more Activision UK will donate to the charity.

If you're looking for more information on the event, there's a Facebook page and a Twitter account set up to help coordinate. If you've got a busy weekend ahead of you on December 4, try to make time for at least one online match. It's not every day you can make someone else's life better just by playing a video game.

12-year-old Make-A-Wisher designs GameStop's holiday gift card

by Ben Gilbert { 2 hours ago }

Rather than choosing something selfish like the opportunity to ride Donald Trump like a pony or a trip around the Moon with the original Apollo 11 astronauts, 12-year-old Make-A-Wish Foundation wish recipient Emily Adkins instead chose to give back to the foundation. In designing the Holiday 2009 GameStop gift card, Adkins secured $1 per card purchased (up to $100k) for the Make-A-Wish coffers.

Though the design will be featured amongst other gift cards this year, GameStop is offering the donation deal across all card designs. Any gift cards purchased from now until December 26 will go towards the donations, though none of the proceeds will bring Emily any closer to riding Donald Trump like a pony. Isn't that just a crime?

iPhone It In: bitFLIP

by Ben Gilbert { 3 hours ago }

I first heard about iPhone pseudo-puzzler bitFLIP from the game's developer, Metamoorephosis Games owner (and JPAG member) Josh Hernandez. I'd be remiss to not mention upfront the hesitation with which I approached reviewing said game for iPhone It In, given the development source being a Joystiq reader and podcast listener.

It was a convenient delight then when I first loaded the game up on my 3G and had a thoroughly enjoyable time playing it. Though a truly egregious boot time put me off from playing bitFLIP during my every free moment over the two or so weeks I spent with the game (that time was reserved for Canabalt), I was still anxious to play it when my free time was longer than a scant few moments. Mixing interesting puzzle mechanics, great music, a truly unique (and often beautiful) visual presentation, and a variety of gameplay options, I can confidently say that there's more than enough enjoyable gaming to be had here to warrant your two bucks.

Gallery: bitFLIP

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PSP Go isn't cannablizing PSP sales, House says

by Ben Gilbert { 3 hours ago }

For those of you out there on your third or fourth sleepless night, unable to catch some Zs for worry that Sony is losing money on its physical-media PSP models to the PSP Go, it's time to rest easy. Sony Europe head Andrew House recently told GamesIndustry.biz that digitally distributed titles are "additive to the business." Better yet, newer PSPs aren't eating older ones. "I don't think there's been a huge amount of cannibalization." Okay, okay, he's talking about PSP Go sales proverbially "eating up" PSP-3000 sales.

He even goes as far as to state that "those sales [PSP Go sales] have come in and lifted overall PSP sales" – something we've heard stated before by execs at Sony Europe. We're not exactly sure what the strategy is behind using your new $250 PSP to sell your old (and arguably more feature-rich) PSP-3000, but we're still hopeful that Sony sees a long-term plan where we see a really expensive, download-only handheld.

All the great Rock Bands started at Old Navy

by Justin McElroy { 4 hours ago }

We can't tell you the number of times we've been packed into the mall during holiday season like angry, sweater-draped sardines and thought "This is great, but what if four people could swing plastic instruments around and warble an off-key version of 'Thunderstruck' just a few feet from us?" Finally, a retailer has stepped up to cater to our needs as Old Navy has announced it'll be putting Rock Band kiosks in 700 of its stores beginning on Black Friday.

Also, on Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, those who spend more than $25 at the store will get a free Rock Band track to take home, though we can't imagine why you'd want to play Rock Band at home when you could be playing in Old Navy.

Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below:

For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales,
And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com

'Half-Contra' explores NES Contra as done by Half-Life 2

by Alexander Sliwinski { 4 hours ago }

Machinima user M0rtanius has created another video that mashes up a classic Konami title with Half-Life 2. His original piece placed Half-Life's protagonist into the world of Castlevania, whereas this latest one features Contra. The attention to the level design is pretty neat in both, and the music is lifted straight from the NES games, but it's just not the same without the Contra arsenal and Simon's whip. Also, we're not seeing any Konami code being entered, which means a quick end could not be far behind. Check out both clips after the break.

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PSP 3D viewer release appears slightly more distant

by JC Fletcher { 5 hours ago }

If you've been waiting patiently to enhance your PSP experience with 3D effects, we've got some kind of disappointing news. The V-Screen peripheral, originally announced for a holiday release, will now be launched at CES, which takes place January 7-10. At least it's a specific release period.

Attendees will get to see:

what it would look like if someone made a Light Boy for PSP, and
"optical technology first developed for the medical world in order to enhance depth cues hidden in existing images."

It seems like the best way to sell technology like this is to show it off to a crowd ravenous for gadgets. We know we're actually quite curious about the promised depth-enhancement effects.
The press release says that the device works with the "PSP 1000, 2000, 3000 and Slim." Even more mysteriously, the official website says that it's "compatible with all currently available Sony PSP models, including the original PSP, the PSP 2000 and the PSP 4000." You might be able to get a Go in the case, if you keep it closed. Unless the screen part detaches from the case part, which would be convenient.

After Burner Climax rated by OFLC and Korean board, possibly coming to PSN

by Griffin McElroy { 5 hours ago }

Though it might lose some of its magic without the full chair-and-tinted-window-equipped arcade cabinet, we're still pretty pumped about the possibility of getting our hands on a port of Sega's classic flight combat sim, After Burner. According to the OFLC and the Korean Game Rating Board, it's only a matter of time before our wish is fulfilled -- GamerBytes recently noticed that both groups have rated Sega's After Burner Climax for home console distribution.

According to the Korean board, the rating was applied for by Sony, leading some to believe the title's planned launch platform is the PSN. However, considering the multi-platform release of Outrun Online Arcade, we wouldn't be surprised if Sega decided to share the aerial dogfighting love with the 360 as well. We've contacted the hedgehog-loving developer to find out exactly what its plans are for the title.

So there's this squid in Assassin's Creed 2

by Justin McElroy { 6 hours ago }

As if you needed another reason to love Assassin's Creed II, the video just below the break shows that it also contains our very favorite kind of squid: a secret squid. Apparently, staring into a pool in the last chamber of the Santa Maria Delle Visitazione for just under a minute will net you a visit from the sizable cephalopod you see in the image above.

Just as a warning, the video has a couple of instances of profanity. Why you'd want to sully such a beautiful moment is, frankly, beyond us.

[Thanks, Sean!]

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Rock Band Weekly: Nirvana, Night Ranger

by Alexander Sliwinski { 6 hours ago }

Ummm ... "Smells Like Teen Spirit." That is all one needs to know about next week's Rock Band DLC. How many of us out there will finally learn the lyrics to the song we mumbled for years every time it popped up on the radio?

Remember radio? Wow, feels like forever ago. Check out the full update after the break.

Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:

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Uncharted 2 gets DLC fort free on Friday, Nov. 27

by Andrew Yoon { 6 hours ago }

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.