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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><itunes:author>Joystiq</itunes:author><itunes:image href="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/Joystiq_podcast_cover.png" /><itunes:summary>The Joystiq Podcast combines insightful commentary on the week&apos;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.com</itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Games &amp; Hobbies"><itunes:category text="Video Games" /></itunes:category><item><title>Bethesda talks murder, sex, slavery and cannibalism in Fallout 3</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/bethesda-talks-murder-sex-slavery-and-cannibalism-in-fallout-3/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/bethesda-talks-murder-sex-slavery-and-cannibalism-in-fallout-3/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/bethesda-talks-murder-sex-slavery-and-cannibalism-in-fallout-3/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=856489"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/bethesdaqanda.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
When we first heard that Bethesda was working on a <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/Fallout3/">Fallout 3</a></em> game we made a pledge to ourselves that we were going to stay completely spoiler free, that we'd go into the experience fresh, with no knowledge of what surprises awaited and what mysteries we would unearth. Sadly, it didn't take long for us to remember that we worked for a video game site, and trying to remain willfully ignorant of a major title was misguided at best.<br /><br />But it's not too late for you, dear reader! You can avert your eyes right now. You don't have to read <a href="http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=856489">this exhaustive Q and A</a> with Bethesda wherein they discuss everything from drug use and child murder to <em>Fallout 3</em>'s inventory system! You can still ... you already clicked on it, didn't you?<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=856489>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/bethesda-talks-murder-sex-slavery-and-cannibalism-in-fallout-3/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1248907/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/bethesda-talks-murder-sex-slavery-and-cannibalism-in-fallout-3/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>bethesda</category><category>fallout-3</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin McElroy]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-08T14:15:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Square Enix releases iPod RPG, Song Summoner</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/square-enix-releases-ipod-rpg-song-summoner/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/square-enix-releases-ipod-rpg-song-summoner/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/square-enix-releases-ipod-rpg-song-summoner/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/portable/" rel="tag">Portable</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div align="center"><img hspace="0" border="0" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/songsumon490.jpg" alt="" /><br /></div>
Square Enix has a surprise RPG for the handheld gamer. No, it's not on the PSP or DS. <em>Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes</em> is an iPod exclusive RPG with a rather unique twist. You'll be able to transform your music collection into "Tune Troopers" that you can use in battle. Even cooler: you'll be able to level up your "Tune Troopers" simply by listening to the same song you created them on your iPod. You'll need the help of all your best MP3s, as you fight the Mechanical Militia and save your brother.<br /><br />The iTunes download, available today, will retail for $4.99. The game will be controlled exclusively through the iPod click wheel and will be compatible with iPod nano with video, iPod classic and fifth generation iPod. While we haven't had a chance to play the game ourselves, we're certainly itching to give it a try. If you download <em>Song Summoner</em>, tell us what you think. <strong>Update:</strong> Trailer embedded, after the cut.<br />%Gallery-27049%<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/square-enix-releases-ipod-rpg-song-summoner/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Square Enix releases iPod RPG, Song Summoner</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/square-enix-releases-ipod-rpg-song-summoner/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1248505/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/square-enix-releases-ipod-rpg-song-summoner/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>ipod</category><category>itunes</category><category>song-summoner</category><category>square-enix</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Yoon]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-08T08:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Majesco bringing Away Shuffle Dungeon stateside</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/majesco-bringing-away-shuffle-dungeon-stateside/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/majesco-bringing-away-shuffle-dungeon-stateside/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/majesco-bringing-away-shuffle-dungeon-stateside/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ds/" rel="tag">Nintendo DS</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><a href="http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1738688/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/away_image0062_small.jpg" /></a>When <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/majesco">Majesco</a> announced last month that it would <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/majesco-sales-drop-in-second-quarter-re-confirms-ds-focus/">dedicate the bulk of its 2008 lineup</a> to the Nintendo DS, we took this to mean that the company would do its part keeping store shelves stocked with casual games and cooking sims aplenty. We were unprepared, however, for the <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/cooking-mama/"><em>Cooking Mama</em></a> evangelist to take up publishing duties for <em>Away Shuffle Dungeon</em>, the oddly named DS "roguelike" RPG from <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/mistwalker">Mistwalker</a> and <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/aq-interactive/">AQ Interactive</a>.<br /><br />Offering a mix of both 2D and 3D gameplay, <em>Away Shuffle Dungeon</em> promises to cast players in the role of a lone hero branded with the unfortunate name, Sword, as he races to collect treasure and rescue prisoners caught in dungeons before they "reconfigure," hurting anyone left inside. The game also boasts some impressive credits, which include such luminaries as <em>Final Fantasy </em>sire Hironobu Sakaguchi and esteemed composer Nobuo Uematsu, as well as character designs by Sonic creator, Naoto Oshima. <br /><br />Even so, we're still having a hard time getting over that title, and even now have simply begun referring to <em>Away Shuffle Dungeon </em>by a label more fitting its newly-named publisher. Readers, we give you <em>Dungeon Mama.</em><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1738688/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/majesco-bringing-away-shuffle-dungeon-stateside/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1248124/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/majesco-bringing-away-shuffle-dungeon-stateside/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>aq-interactive</category><category>away</category><category>hironobu-sakaguchi</category><category>hironobusakaguchi</category><category>majesco</category><category>mistwalker</category><category>naoto-oshima</category><category>nobuo-uematsu</category><category>nobuouematsu</category><category>shuffle-dungeon</category><category>shuffledungeon</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jason Dobson]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-08T03:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Flagship taking time on Mythos, admits Hellgate mistakes</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/flagship-taking-time-on-mythos-admits-hellgate-mistakes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/flagship-taking-time-on-mythos-admits-hellgate-mistakes/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/flagship-taking-time-on-mythos-admits-hellgate-mistakes/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mmo/" rel="tag">MMO</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/flagship-hopes-to-put-a-dent-in-mmo-rivals"><img width="490" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="326" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/mythosmain.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
Max Schaefer, co-founder of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/flagship-studios">Flagship Studios</a>, admits that things didn't go exactly as planned with its first title <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/hellgate-london"><em>Hellgate: London</em></a>; however, he believes the developer's sophomore effort, <em>Mythos</em>, is coming together much better. Schaefer tells Eurogamer (via <a href="http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/flagship-hopes-to-put-a-dent-in-mmo-rivals">GI.biz)</a> that Flagship was "probably biting off too much" as a new developer with <em>Hellgate</em> and was rushed at the end, but with Mythos it's focusing on core features and taking time to polish.<br /><br />Schaefer hopes <a href="http://www.massively.com/category/mythos/">Mythos</a> can "put a dent" into some of the big MMOs out there and he believes the free-to-download-and-play model of the game -- with item sales bringing in money -- gives the developer a chance against the boxed subscription-based MMOs.<br />
<div class="postgallery">
<p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.massively.com/photos/the-mythos-overworld/">The Mythos Overworld</a></strong></p>
<a href="http://www.massively.com/photos/the-mythos-overworld/830092/"><img title="The Overworld loading screen" alt="The Overworld loading screen" src="http://www.massively.com/media/2008/05/mythos-2008-05-28-23-05-45-68_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.massively.com/photos/the-mythos-overworld/830094/"><img title="A kindly vicar" alt="A kindly vicar" src="http://www.massively.com/media/2008/05/mythos-2008-05-28-23-41-14-07_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.massively.com/photos/the-mythos-overworld/830093/"><img title="There are no walls in the Overworld" alt="There are no walls in the Overworld" src="http://www.massively.com/media/2008/05/mythos-2008-05-28-23-39-47-14_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.massively.com/photos/the-mythos-overworld/830096/"><img title="An Anchorshrine" alt="An Anchorshrine" src="http://www.massively.com/media/2008/05/mythos-2008-05-28-23-54-16-91_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.massively.com/photos/the-mythos-overworld/830097/"><img title="A Seaside Cliff" alt="A Seaside Cliff" src="http://www.massively.com/media/2008/05/mythos-2008-05-28-23-56-27-17_thumbnail.jpg" /></a></div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/flagship-hopes-to-put-a-dent-in-mmo-rivals>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/flagship-taking-time-on-mythos-admits-hellgate-mistakes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1247626/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/flagship-taking-time-on-mythos-admits-hellgate-mistakes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>flagship</category><category>flagship-studios</category><category>hellgate</category><category>hellgate-london</category><category>mythos</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-07T16:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Fable 2 Pub Games coming August to XBLA, free with pre-order</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/fable-2-pub-games-coming-august-to-xbla-free-with-pre-order/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/fable-2-pub-games-coming-august-to-xbla-free-with-pre-order/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/fable-2-pub-games-coming-august-to-xbla-free-with-pre-order/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://gamerscoreblog.com/press/archive/2008/07/07/fablepubpreordr.aspx"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/mgdfable2.jpg" alt="" /></a></div>
Microsoft has announced that <em>Fable 2 Pub Games</em>, a collection of three casino-style Xbox Live Arcade games that help you boost your money for <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/fable-2"><em>Fable 2</em></a>, is coming in August for 800 MS points (US $10). However, according to the <a href="http://gamerscoreblog.com/press/archive/2008/07/07/fablepubpreordr.aspx">press release</a>, <em>Pub Games</em> is free for those who pre-order at participating retailers. The three games are:<br />
<ul>
    <li><em>Keystone</em>, a combination of Craps and Roulette</li>
    <li><em>Spinnerbox</em>, an "updated take" on slot machines</li>
    <li><em>Fortune's Tower</em>, a "press your luck style of game"</li>
</ul>
Also included is <em>Shell</em>, a tutorial for all three. Taking a route similar to <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/spore">Spore</a> <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/cant-wait-for-september-7-creature-only-spore-to-launch-sooner/">Creature Creator</a></em>, Microsoft is also including the Pub Games in both the Standard and Limited Editions of <em>Fable 2</em>, meaning if you can hold out until the game is released, you won't have to shell out the $10. <em>Fable 2</em> is due out "later this year," with <a href="http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/06/25/lionhead-refuses-to-comment-on-molyneuxs-fable-2-oct-release-h/">recent hints</a> of an October launch.<br />%Gallery-4807%<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://gamerscoreblog.com/press/archive/2008/07/07/fablepubpreordr.aspx>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/fable-2-pub-games-coming-august-to-xbla-free-with-pre-order/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1247733/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/fable-2-pub-games-coming-august-to-xbla-free-with-pre-order/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>breakingnews</category><category>fable</category><category>fable-2</category><category>fable-2-pub-games</category><category>fortunes-tower</category><category>keystone</category><category>lionhead</category><category>pre-order</category><category>pub-games</category><category>spinnerbox</category><category>xbla-xbox-live-arcade</category><category>xbox-live</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-07T14:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Chrono Trigger DS countdown ends, 'reveals' Chrono Trigger</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/chrono-trigger-ds-countdown-ends-reveals-chrono-trigger/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/chrono-trigger-ds-countdown-ends-reveals-chrono-trigger/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/chrono-trigger-ds-countdown-ends-reveals-chrono-trigger/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ds/" rel="tag">Nintendo DS</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><a href="http://www.chronotrigger.jp/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/gam_chronotriggertitle1_490.jpg" /></a><br />After much speculation and painful <em>hours</em> of sitting on pins and needles, Square-Enix confirmed that <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/square-enix-countdown-site-opens-most-likely-chrono-trigger-ds/">their chronometric teaser</a> was, in fact, counting down to the big reveal of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/chrono-trigger-ds-confirmed-for-north-america-this-holiday/">a Nintendo DS adaptation of </a><em><a href="javascript:void(0);/*1215359564426*/">Chrono Trigger</a>. </em>The countdown just ended, <a href="http://www.chronotrigger.jp/">revealing the first pseudo-trailer for the game</a>; following Squeenix's promise for a "newly revamped" version of what many consider to be the greatest RPG of all time, our hopes were high for a 3D remake, ala <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/search/?q=Final%20Fantasy%20III">Final Fantasy III</a></em> and <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/search/?q=final+fantasy+iv&amp;x=0&amp;y=0"><em>IV</em></a> -- though the trailer shows that the visuals will retain their charming 16-bit aesthetic.<br /><br />The trailer doesn't show off the game's new features, like the new dungeon, wireless play and touch screen support -- though it does end by touting the Winter 2008 release window we'd previously heard. Hopefully, future media for the title will show us exactly why we'll need to purchase the game again (other than the fact that it's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7KcpgQKo2I">frakkin'</a> <em>Chrono Trigger</em>) -- until then, we'll be <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFlcqWQVVuU">anxiously awaiting Christmas morning</a>, when we'll scurry to the foyer to discover that Ho-Ho has left us stockingfuls of <em>heartwarming nostalgia</em>.<br /><br /><strong>Update:</strong> We've got the post-countdown trailer posted after the jump, courtesy of GameVideos.<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/chrono-trigger-ds-countdown-ends-reveals-chrono-trigger/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Chrono Trigger DS countdown ends, 'reveals' Chrono Trigger</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.chronotrigger.jp/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/chrono-trigger-ds-countdown-ends-reveals-chrono-trigger/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1246605/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/chrono-trigger-ds-countdown-ends-reveals-chrono-trigger/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>chrono-trigger</category><category>countdown</category><category>ds</category><category>nintendods</category><category>rpg</category><category>snes</category><category>square-enix</category><category>trailer</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Griffin McElroy]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-06T12:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Atlus bringing Persona 4 to North America on December 9</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/atlus-bringing-persona-4-to-north-america-on-december-9/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/atlus-bringing-persona-4-to-north-america-on-december-9/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/atlus-bringing-persona-4-to-north-america-on-december-9/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps2/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 2</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.atlus.com/new_forum/viewtopic.php?t=1678&amp;sid=2e48a20cd4b247c5a0a9d71cf7a135f8"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/p4_na_dated.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
While Japanese audiences will be <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/persona-4-to-school-japan-in-july/">playing <span style="font-style: italic;">Persona 4</span> this July</a>, North American gamers won't have to wait long to wander the halls of Gekkoukan High. Atlus USA has taken time away from blowing things up with small explosives this holiday weekend to announce plans to bring <span style="font-style: italic;">Persona 4</span> to North America on December 9.<br /><br />Sweetening the deal even further, the publisher also notes that each copy of the game will come bundled with a soundtrack CD featuring "select music" from the title, which represents the sixth in the role-playing series, and the latest to cling tightly to Sony's <a href="http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/12/17/we-3-ps2-a-year-in-review/">aging last-gen console</a>. If, however, you're having trouble waiting until this holiday season to get your <span style="font-style: italic;">Persona </span>fix, check out the game's English announcement trailer after the break.<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/atlus-bringing-persona-4-to-north-america-on-december-9/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Atlus bringing Persona 4 to North America on December 9</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.atlus.com/new_forum/viewtopic.php?t=1678&amp;sid=2e48a20cd4b247c5a0a9d71cf7a135f8>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/atlus-bringing-persona-4-to-north-america-on-december-9/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1246680/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/atlus-bringing-persona-4-to-north-america-on-december-9/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>atlus</category><category>persona</category><category>persona-4</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jason Dobson]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-06T09:45:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Viva Piñata sequel busts open in early September</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/viva-pinata-sequel-busts-open-in-early-september/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/viva-pinata-sequel-busts-open-in-early-september/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/viva-pinata-sequel-busts-open-in-early-september/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://gamerscoreblog.com/press/archive/2008/07/03/559783.aspx"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/pinatacandy.jpg" alt="" /></a></div>
All you <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerds">Nerds</a> worried about wasting <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mounds_(candy)">Mounds</a> of time waiting for <a href="http://gamerscoreblog.com/press/archive/2008/07/03/559783.aspx"><em>Viva Pi</em>&ntilde;<em>ata: Trouble in Paradise</em></a> should stop being such <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airheads_(candy)">Airheads</a>. The anticipated sequel will be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starburst_(confectionery)">Star-bursting</a> onto the scene on Sept. 2 in North and Latin America and Sept. 5 in Europe and the UK. That leaves plenty of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PayDay_(confection)">Paydays</a> for you <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smarties_(Nestl%C3%A9)">Smarties</a> to save up the $59.99 you need to buy it. That's not a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoppers">Whopper</a> of a price ... much less than the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_Grand_Bar">100 Grand</a>s it would take to travel to ... <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatchamacallit_(candy)">Whatchamacallit </a>... <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_bar">Mars</a>.<br /><br />You see, pi&ntilde;atas are filled with candy ...<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/07/03/viva-pinata-sequel-will-release-the-first-week-of-sept/">X3F</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://gamerscoreblog.com/press/archive/2008/07/03/559783.aspx>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/viva-pinata-sequel-busts-open-in-early-september/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1245335/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/viva-pinata-sequel-busts-open-in-early-september/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>BreakingNews</category><category>microsoft</category><category>Rare</category><category>release-date</category><category>Trouble-in-Paradise</category><category>Viva-Pinata</category><category>Viva-Pinata-2</category><category>Viva-Pinata-Trouble-in-Paradise</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Orland]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-03T18:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Chrono Trigger DS confirmed for North America this holiday</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/chrono-trigger-ds-confirmed-for-north-america-this-holiday/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/chrono-trigger-ds-confirmed-for-north-america-this-holiday/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/chrono-trigger-ds-confirmed-for-north-america-this-holiday/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ds/" rel="tag">Nintendo DS</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/chrono-trigger-returns-the-timeless,454846.shtml"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/st_ds_box_ya.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Well, that didn't take long. After Square Enix <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/square-enix-countdown-site-opens-most-likely-chrono-trigger-ds/">quietly launched a teaser website</a> seemingly devoted to bringing fan fave <em>Chrono Trigger </em>to the Nintendo DS, we've managed to scrape our jaws off the floor just in time to see that the company <a href="http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/chrono-trigger-returns-the-timeless,454846.shtml">has confirmed</a> plans for the title, and that the game will ship in time for North American gamers to pull it out of their stockings this holiday season.<br /><br />With the original having shipped some 2.5 million copies the world over, Squeenix calls the portable take on the 1995 SNES role-playing classic "newly revamped," promising a new dungeon and wireless play of some sort. Touch screen support is also promised, something we're getting plenty of practice at as we paw at our computer screens in eager anticipation.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/chrono-trigger-returns-the-timeless,454846.shtml>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/chrono-trigger-ds-confirmed-for-north-america-this-holiday/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1243516/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/chrono-trigger-ds-confirmed-for-north-america-this-holiday/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>breakingnews</category><category>chrono-trigger</category><category>chrono-trigger-ds</category><category>square-enix</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jason Dobson]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-02T10:29:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Revisit Diablo 2, demo available at Big Download</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/revisit-diablo-2-demo-available-at-big-download/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/revisit-diablo-2-demo-available-at-big-download/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/revisit-diablo-2-demo-available-at-big-download/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://news.bigdownload.com/2008/06/30/diablo-ii-pc-mac-demos-available-on-big-download/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/diablo-2-class-lineup-490.jpg" /></a></div>
While we don't know when we'll get our hands on <em>Diablo 3</em> (our guess is sometime between <em>Starcraft 2</em> and a <em>Lost Vikings </em>MMO), now is as good of a time as any to look back on the previous <em>Diablo </em>game. While you could download the full version <a href="http://www.blizzard.com/store/browse.xml?f=f:2">at the Blizzard Store</a> for $20 (and the <em>Lord of Destruction </em>expansion pack for $20 more), the try-before-you-buy enthusiasts at Big Download have tracked down the demo version for you to try out. We know there are a few Joystiq readers who never experienced <em>Diablo 2</em>. Folks, feel ashamed no longer, <a href="http://news.bigdownload.com/2008/06/30/diablo-ii-pc-mac-demos-available-on-big-download/">download here</a>.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://news.bigdownload.com/2008/06/30/diablo-ii-pc-mac-demos-available-on-big-download/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/revisit-diablo-2-demo-available-at-big-download/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1242322/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/revisit-diablo-2-demo-available-at-big-download/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>blizzard</category><category>dialbo-2</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-01T20:55:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>WoW Insider goes hands-on with the Death Knight</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wow-insider-goes-hands-on-with-the-death-knight/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wow-insider-goes-hands-on-with-the-death-knight/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wow-insider-goes-hands-on-with-the-death-knight/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mmo/" rel="tag">MMO</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/30/hands-on-with-the-wwi-08-death-knight-demo/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/death-knight-490.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 7px;"> <script> var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/Hands_on_with_the_WoW_Death_Knight_class_at_the_WWI_in_Paris'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/api/diggthis.js"></script></span>The MMO-obsessed at <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/30/hands-on-with-the-wwi-08-death-knight-demo/">WoW Insider</a> managed to get some hands-on time with <em>Wrath of the Lich King's </em>Death Knight class while at this weekend's Blizzard Worldwide Invitational. Take a look for impressions and information on the gameplay, skills and talents of this soon-to-be overused class.<br />
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/30/wwi-08-death-knight-demo-general-impressions/">General gameplay impressions</a></li>
    <li><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/30/wwi-08-death-knight-demo-blood-spells-and-talents/">Blood spells and talents</a> </li>
    <li><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/30/wwi-08-death-knight-demo-unholy-spells-and-talents/">Unholy spells and talents</a> </li>
    <li><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/30/wwi-08-death-knight-demo-frost-spells-and-talents/">Frost spells and talents</a></li>
</ul>
Don't forget to check out all of Worldwide Invitational coverage, from <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/30/worldwide-invitational-paris-the-roundup/"><em>World of Warcraft</em></a> to <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/highlights-from-blizzards-worldwide-invitational-2008/"><em>Starcraft 2 </em>and<em> Diablo 3</em></a>.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/30/hands-on-with-the-wwi-08-death-knight-demo/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wow-insider-goes-hands-on-with-the-death-knight/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1241406/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wow-insider-goes-hands-on-with-the-death-knight/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>blizzard</category><category>death-knight</category><category>world-of-warcraft</category><category>wotlk</category><category>wow</category><category>wrath-of-the-lich-king</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-30T20:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Age of Conan reaches 700,000 players</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/age-of-conan-reaches-700-000-players/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/age-of-conan-reaches-700-000-players/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/age-of-conan-reaches-700-000-players/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mmo/" rel="tag">MMO</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/700000-enter-age-of-conan/?biz=1"><img width="490" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="276" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/ageofconan7000000.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Funcom announced today that <em>Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures</em> has entangled 700,000 players in its <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/age-of-conans-incredible-shrinking-breasts/">breast-reducing web</a>. <a href="http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/700000-enter-age-of-conan/?biz=1">GameDaily</a> reports that Funcom believes this makes <em>Conan</em> the #2 subscription MMO in the western world -- yeah, <em><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/">World of Warcraft</a></em> is still #1 ... <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/world-of-warcraft-surpasses-10-million-subscribers-now-half-the/">by a long shot</a>.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/NPD/">NPD</a>, Conan remains the <a href="http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/chart-toppers-conan-treads-worldwide-charts-under-his-sandaled-feet/?biz=1x/">top selling PC title in the US</a> since its launch May 20. Funcom reported early last month it had <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/06/age-of-conan-ships-a-million-units/">shipped a million copies of the game to retail</a> and now believes its current subscription numbers give it "significant development resources" to evolve the game over time. Hopefully this also means bugs that reduce anatomical parts will be caught in the future.<br />%Gallery-6912%<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/700000-enter-age-of-conan/?biz=1>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/age-of-conan-reaches-700-000-players/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1241031/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/age-of-conan-reaches-700-000-players/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>age-of-conan</category><category>age-of-conan-hyborian-adventures</category><category>eidos</category><category>funcom</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-30T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Highlights from Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational 2008</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/highlights-from-blizzards-worldwide-invitational-2008/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/highlights-from-blizzards-worldwide-invitational-2008/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/highlights-from-blizzards-worldwide-invitational-2008/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/adventure/" rel="tag">Adventure</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/strategy/" rel="tag">Strategy</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/competitive-gaming/" rel="tag">Competitive Gaming</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mmo/" rel="tag">MMO</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/fashion/" rel="tag">Fashion</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/888337/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt=""  src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/wwi-08-entrance.jpg" /></a><br /><em><font size="1">click to <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/888337/">take a tour</a> of the WWI show floor</font></em></div>
Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational is now officially over! In case you missed all of the excitement this weekend (or just want a handy recap), here are the highlights:<br /><br />
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="border: 0pt none ;">
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/diablo-3"><img border="1" style="float: left; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 1px;" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/d3logo_490_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" /></a></td>
            <td><strong><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/diablo-3">Diablo 3</a></strong><br />Yes, it's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/blizzard-introduces-diablo-3/">really official</a>. Here's everything there is to know about the game so far:<br />
            <ul>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View Blizzard introduces Diablo 3 on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/blizzard-introduces-diablo-3/">Blizzard introduces Diablo 3</a></li>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View Watch Diablo 3 teaser and gameplay footage on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/watch-diablo-3-teaser-and-gameplay-footage/">Watch Diablo 3 teaser and gameplay footage</a></li>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View Here are the first Diablo 3 screenshots on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/here-are-the-first-diablo-3-screenshots/">Here are the first Diablo 3 screenshots</a></li>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View Highlights from the Diablo 3 FAQ on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/highlights-from-the-diablo-3-faq/">Highlights from the Diablo 3 FAQ</a></li>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View Diablo 3 information overload on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/diablo-3-information-overload/">Diablo 3 information overload</a></li>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View Joystiq chats with Jay Wilson on Diablo 3 on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/joystiq-chats-with-jay-wilson-on-diablo-3/">Joystiq chats with Jay Wilson on Diablo 3</a></li>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View Poll: What classes would you like to see return in Diablo 3? on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/poll-what-classes-would-you-like-to-see-return-in-diablo-3/">Poll: What classes would you like to see return in Diablo 3?</a></li>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals/">WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals</a></li>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View WWI08: Lore and art in Diablo 3 on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3/">WWI08: Lore and art in Diablo 3</a></li>
            </ul>
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/starcraft-2"><img border="1" style="float: left; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 1px;" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/starcraftii_logo_425_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" /></a></td>
            <td><strong><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/starcraft-2">Starcraft 2</a></strong><br />There was only <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/news-from-the-starcraft-ii-panel-at-the-blizzard-invitational/">one <em>Starcraft 2 </em>design panel</a>, but boy was it a doozie.<br />
            <ul>
                <li><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/news-from-the-starcraft-ii-panel-at-the-blizzard-invitational/">Part 1: Zerg</a></li>
                <li><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/starcraft-ii-wwi-08-panel-part-2/">Part 2: Protoss</a></li>
                <li><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/starcraft-ii-wwi-08-panel-part-3/">Part 3: Terran</a></li>
                <li><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/starcraft-ii-wwi-08-panel-part-4/">Part 4: Q&amp;A with Rob Pardo</a></li>
            </ul>
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td valign="top" align="right"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/wow"><img border="1" style="float: left; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 1px;" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/death-knight-490_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" /></a></td>
            <td><strong><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/wow">World of Warcraft</a></strong><br />Let's not forget about the MMO behemoth, whose presence comprised about 80% of the WWI.<br />
            <ul>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View Blizzard's WWI 2008 costume and dance contest on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/blizzards-wwi-2008-costume-and-dance-contest/">Blizzard's WWI 2008 costume and dance contest</a></li>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View All World of Warcraft classes dissected at WWI 2008 on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/all-world-of-warcraft-classes-dissected-at-wwi-2008/">All World of Warcraft classes dissected at WWI 2008</a></li>
                <li><a target="_blank" title="View WWI08: New WoW arenas, nonlinear dungeons and goodie bags on Joystiq" href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-new-wow-arenas-nonlinear-dungeons-and-goodie-bags/">WWI08: New WoW arenas, nonlinear dungeons and goodie bags</a></li>
                <li>A lot more information can be found at <a href="http://wowinsider.com/category/worldwide-invitational">WoW Insider</a></li>
            </ul>
            </td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>
%Gallery-26348%<br />
<div class="postgallery">
<p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/">Worldwide Invitational 2008</a></strong></p>
<a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/890791/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2529_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/890790/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2526_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/890789/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2527_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/890466/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2499_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/890465/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2475_thumbnail.jpg" /></a></div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/highlights-from-blizzards-worldwide-invitational-2008/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1240495/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/highlights-from-blizzards-worldwide-invitational-2008/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>joystiqfeatures</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-30T09:46:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>WWI08: Lore and art in Diablo 3</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/features/" rel="tag">Features</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/d3-lore-panel-490.jpg" /></div>
At Blizzard's recent <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/wwi08">Worldwide Invitational</a>, <em>Diablo 3's</em> World Designer Leonard Boyarsky and Art Director Brian Morrisroe got on stage in front of a crowd hungry for details on Blizzard's latest project to talk about combining art and lore to expand the world give the player a deeper and more engaging experience. <em>Diablo</em> is a unique fantasy universe in that instead of having Dwarves and Elves, it has Angels and Demons. The game's setting makes it a dark fantasy environment that the previous games had only scratched the surface of.<br />%Gallery-26348%<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>WWI08: Lore and art in Diablo 3</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1239928/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>blizzard</category><category>blizzard-entertainment</category><category>diablo</category><category>diablo-3</category><category>joystiqfeatures</category><category>paris</category><category>worldwide-invitational</category><category>wwi</category><category>wwi08</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth Harper]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-30T07:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>WWI08: Lore and art in Diablo 3 (Part 2 - Q&amp;A)</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3-part-2-qanda/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3-part-2-qanda/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3-part-2-qanda/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/d3-lore-design-layout-490.jpg" alt="" /><br /> </div>
<br /> <strong>Q&amp;A with Leo and Brian</strong><br /> <br /> <strong>Q:</strong> In the end of <em>Diablo 2</em> we went to hell, killed him, smashed his Soulstone and essence of him, Bael, Maphesto ... how do we justify him coming back?<br /> <strong>Leo:</strong> You don't know for sure that <em>Diablo</em> is coming back. [Ed: ... !] We don't want to divulge too much of the story, we just want to say that it will be entertaining when you come to it.<br /> <br /> <strong>Q:</strong> In previous game you had quests to achieve to get, say the Horadric Cube. Will there be similar quests? Will we be able to get the Horadric Cube again?<br /> <strong>Leo:</strong> The way the process works is we look into the story, look into the lore, and we want that to drive the gameplay and drive the quests. I can say there will be quests related to lore. In <em>Diablo 2</em> they didn't just set out to say "let's make this great cube," it came out of the design process.<br />%Gallery-26348%<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3-part-2-qanda/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>WWI08: Lore and art in Diablo 3 (Part 2 - Q&amp;A)</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3-part-2-qanda/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1240478/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-lore-and-art-in-diablo-3-part-2-qanda/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>blizzard</category><category>diablo</category><category>diablo-2</category><category>diablo-3</category><category>worldwide-invitational</category><category>wwi</category><category>wwi08</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Elizabeth Harper]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-30T06:59:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>WWI08: New WoW arenas, nonlinear dungeons and goodie bags</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-new-wow-arenas-nonlinear-dungeons-and-goodie-bags/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-new-wow-arenas-nonlinear-dungeons-and-goodie-bags/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-new-wow-arenas-nonlinear-dungeons-and-goodie-bags/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mmo/" rel="tag">MMO</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-goodie-bag/889570/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt=""  src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/wwi-goody-bag-490.jpg" /></a></div>
For the World of Warcraft fans who might've missed some coverage today, here are some of the highlights, care of <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/category/worldwide-invitational">WoW Insider</a>:<br />
<ul>
    <li>Check out these <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/29/the-wwi-08-goodie-bag/">awesome goodie bags</a></li>
    <li>A <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/29/wwi-08-panel-pvp-part-i-lake-wintergrasp/">look at Lake Wintergrasp</a>, a non-instanced Battleground, as well as <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/29/wwi-08-panel-pvp-part-ii-new-arena-maps/">new arena maps</a> from the PvP panel<br /></li>
    <li>From the <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/29/wwi-08-notes-from-the-dungeons-and-raids-panel/">Dungeons and Raids panel</a>, we learned about the <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/29/nonlinear-dungeons-return-in-wrath/">return of nonlinear dungeons</a> in <em>Wrath of the Lich King.</em></li>
    <li>A <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/29/turpsters-wwi-day-1-video-roundup-who-says-gnomes-cant-dance/#comments">video recap of the first day of WWI</a>, with some good footage of the costume and dance contest (start at 1:45 for that)<br /></li>
    <li>Did we mention <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/29/the-wwi-08-goodie-bag/">awesome goodie bags</a>?</li>
</ul>
<div class="postgallery">
<p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-goodie-bag/">Worldwide Invitational goodie bag</a></strong></p>
<a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-goodie-bag/889570/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2332a_thumbnail.jpg" alt="Blizzard goodie bag" title="Blizzard goodie bag" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-goodie-bag/889537/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2333_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-goodie-bag/889538/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2334_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-goodie-bag/889566/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2337a_thumbnail.jpg" alt="WoW Comic Book" title="WoW Comic Book" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-goodie-bag/889565/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2338a_thumbnail.jpg" alt="WoW Trading Card Game expansion deck" title="WoW Trading Card Game expansion deck" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="postgallery">
<p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/">Worldwide Invitational 2008</a></strong></p>
<a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/890791/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2529_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/890790/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2526_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/890789/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2527_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/890466/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2499_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/890465/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.wowinsider.com/media/2008/06/img_2475_thumbnail.jpg" /></a></div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-new-wow-arenas-nonlinear-dungeons-and-goodie-bags/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1240460/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-new-wow-arenas-nonlinear-dungeons-and-goodie-bags/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>blizzard</category><category>world-of-warcraft</category><category>worldwide-invitational</category><category>wow</category><category>wwi</category><category>wwi08</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-30T02:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/features/" rel="tag">Features</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/490-img_2310.jpg" /><br /></div>
<span style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 7px;"> <script> var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/Diablo_3_design_fundamentals'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/api/diggthis.js"></script></span> At the Blizzard <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/wwi08">Worldwide Invitational</a> in Paris, Blizzard designers took to the stage to talk about the design goals and fundamentals behind their upcoming title, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/diablo-3/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Diablo III</span></a>. Jay Wilson, lead designer on the title, presented a rundown of the design philosophy behind the game, covering its origins, the game's approchability, and the design team's "better gameplay, less carpal tunnel" approach.<br />%Gallery-26348%<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1239926/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>battle-net</category><category>battle.net</category><category>blizzard</category><category>blizzard-entertainment</category><category>diablo</category><category>diablo-3</category><category>jay-wilson</category><category>joystiqfeatures</category><category>worldwide-invitational</category><category>wwi</category><category>wwi08</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennie Lees]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-30T01:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals (Part 2 - Q&amp;A)</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals-part-2-qanda/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals-part-2-qanda/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals-part-2-qanda/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/d2-skeleton-overload-490.jpg" alt="" /></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Audience Q&amp;A</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q</span>: Do you plan to keep the 4/5 man typical group size or will you design for much larger groups?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span>: Group size isn't a technical restriction, but a gameplay one. Smaller groups are better due to the camera restriction. We haven't really decided but we'll focus on whatever gives the best experience, that'll be 4 or maybe 5 person parties.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q</span>: Will you increase inventory size?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span>: We haven't decided. We're improving the inventory system and it'll be easier to trade items between your characters or other players. We'll pick a size appropriate to gameplay.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q</span>: There are a lot of WoW players and <span style="font-style: italic;">Diablo II </span>players, which audience are you aiming at?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span>: We haven't a particular aim. We're making the game for people who love <span style="font-style: italic;">Diablo</span>, and there's plenty of room for both <span style="font-style: italic;">WoW</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Diablo</span>, we've no intention to play one game against the other.<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals-part-2-qanda/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals (Part 2 - Q&amp;A)</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals-part-2-qanda/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1240453/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals-part-2-qanda/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennie Lees]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-30T00:59:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>The Joystiq Weekend: June 28 - 29, 2008</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/the-joystiq-weekend-june-28-29-2008/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/the-joystiq-weekend-june-28-29-2008/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/the-joystiq-weekend-june-28-29-2008/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mmo/" rel="tag">MMO</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/photos/worldwide-invitational-2008/888401/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt=""  src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/wwi-arthas-day-490.jpg" /></a><br /><font size="1">click to embiggen</font></div>
At this weekend's <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/category/worldwide-invitational/">Blizzard Worldwide Invitational</a>, you too could be a Lich King for a fleeting moment ... we just wish the rest of him dressed more appropriately. Check out the highlights (and there are quite a few!) for the weekend:<br /><br /><strong>Blizzard Worldwide Invitational</strong><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/all-world-of-warcraft-classes-dissected-at-wwi-2008/" title="View All World of Warcraft classes dissected at WWI 2008 on Joystiq" target="_blank">All World of Warcraft classes dissected at WWI 2008</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/blizzards-wwi-2008-costume-and-dance-contest/" title="View Blizzard's WWI 2008 costume and dance contest on Joystiq" target="_blank">Blizzard's WWI 2008 costume and dance contest</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/joystiq-chats-with-jay-wilson-on-diablo-3/" title="View Joystiq chats with Jay Wilson on Diablo 3 on Joystiq" target="_blank">Joystiq chats with Jay Wilson on Diablo 3</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/news-from-the-starcraft-ii-panel-at-the-blizzard-invitational/" title="View News from the Starcraft II panel at the Blizzard Invitational on Joystiq" target="_blank">News from the Starcraft II panel at the Blizzard Invitational</a><br /><br /><strong>Joystiquery<br /></strong><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/the-best-of-big-download-june-22-28-2008/" title="View The Best of Big Download; June 22-28, 2008 on Joystiq" target="_blank">The Best of Big Download; June 22-28, 2008</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/echochrome-the-psps-philosophical-answer-to-brain-age/" title="View Echochrome: The PSP's philosophical answer to Brain Age on Joystiq" target="_blank">Echochrome: The PSP's philosophical answer to Brain Age</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/japanese-hardware-sales-june-16-june-22-summer-blockbuster-e/" title="View Japanese hardware sales, June 16 - June 22: Summer blockbuster edition on Joystiq" target="_blank">Japanese hardware sales, June 16 - June 22: Summer blockbuster edition</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/poll-what-classes-would-you-like-to-see-return-in-diablo-3/" title="View Poll: What classes would you like to see return in Diablo 3? on Joystiq" target="_blank">Poll: What classes would you like to see return in Diablo 3?</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/poll-results-43-of-joystiq-readers-were-right-about-diablo-3/" title="View Poll results: 43% of Joystiq readers were right about Diablo 3 on Joystiq" target="_blank">Poll results: 43% of Joystiq readers were right about Diablo 3</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/ps-fanboy-week-in-review-6-23-6-29/" title="View PS Fanboy Week in Review: 6/23 - 6/29 on Joystiq" target="_blank">PS Fanboy Week in Review: 6/23 - 6/29</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/scared-stiff-why-should-we-care-about-resident-evil-5/" title="View Scared Stiff: Why should we care about Resident Evil 5? on Joystiq" target="_blank">Scared Stiff: Why should we care about Resident Evil 5?</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-announces-lost-vikings/" title="View Weekly Webcomic Wrapup announces Lost Vikings on Joystiq" target="_blank">Weekly Webcomic Wrapup announces Lost Vikings</a><br /><br /><strong>News<br /></strong><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/blizzard-introduces-diablo-3/" title="View Blizzard introduces Diablo 3 on Joystiq" target="_blank">Blizzard introduces Diablo 3</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/watch-diablo-3-teaser-and-gameplay-footage/" title="View Watch Diablo 3 teaser and gameplay footage on Joystiq" target="_blank">Watch Diablo 3 teaser and gameplay footage</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/diablo-3-shipping-simultaneously-on-mac/" title="View Diablo 3 shipping simultaneously on Mac on Joystiq" target="_blank">Diablo 3 shipping simultaneously on Mac</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/highlights-from-the-diablo-3-faq/" title="View Highlights from the Diablo 3 FAQ on Joystiq" target="_blank">Highlights from the Diablo 3 FAQ</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/diablo-3-information-overload/" title="View Diablo 3 information overload on Joystiq" target="_blank">Diablo 3 information overload</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/first-super-details-on-sonys-dc-universe-online/" title="View First super details on Sony's DC Universe Online on Joystiq" target="_blank">First super details on Sony's DC Universe Online</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/japanese-classrooms-using-nintendo-ds-to-teach-english/" title="View Japanese classrooms using Nintendo DS to teach English on Joystiq" target="_blank">Japanese classrooms using Nintendo DS to teach English</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/rainbow-six-vegas-2-trailer-explains-fan-pack-contents/" title="View Rainbow Six Vegas 2 trailer explains Fan Pack contents on Joystiq" target="_blank">Rainbow Six Vegas 2 trailer explains Fan Pack contents</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/sony-granted-patent-for-handheld-with-touchscreen-and-digital-t/" title="View Sony granted patent for handheld with touchscreen and 'digital tactile pixels' on Joystiq" target="_blank">Sony granted patent for handheld with touchscreen and 'digital tactile pixels'</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/bill-gates-officially-retires/" title="View Bill Gates officially retires on Joystiq" target="_blank">Bill Gates officially retires</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/get-your-daily-dose-of-murder-with-this-gears-of-war-2-multiplay/" title="View Get your daily dose of murder with this Gears of War 2 Multiplayer preview on Joystiq" target="_blank">Get your daily dose of murder with this Gears of War 2 Multiplayer preview</a><br /><br /><strong>Rumors &amp; Speculation<br /></strong><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/rumor-team-fortress-2-spy-update-details-leaked/" title="View Rumor: Team Fortress 2 Spy update details leaked on Joystiq" target="_blank">Rumor: Team Fortress 2 Spy update details leaked</a><br /><br /><strong>Culture &amp; Community<br /></strong><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/blizzard-splash-screen-update-for-june-28-still-inconclusive/" title="View Blizzard Splash Screen Update for June 28 -- still inconclusive on Joystiq" target="_blank">Blizzard Splash Screen Update for June 28 -- still inconclusive</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/david-hayter-needs-your-help-to-write-metal-gear-solid-movie/" title="View David Hayter needs your help to write Metal Gear Solid movie on Joystiq" target="_blank">David Hayter needs your help to write Metal Gear Solid movie</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/guitar-hero-on-tour-peripheral-lends-a-hand-to-homebrew-paintin/" title="View Guitar Hero: On Tour peripheral lends a hand to homebrew painting app on Joystiq" target="_blank">Guitar Hero: On Tour peripheral lends a hand to homebrew painting app</a><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/floridian-anti-smoking-ad-looks-very-familiar/" title="View Floridian anti-smoking ad looks very familiar on Joystiq" target="_blank">Floridian anti-smoking ad looks very familiar</a><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/the-joystiq-weekend-june-28-29-2008/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1240415/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/the-joystiq-weekend-june-28-29-2008/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>dailyrecap</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-29T23:59:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Poll: What classes would you like to see return in Diablo 3?</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/poll-what-classes-would-you-like-to-see-return-in-diablo-3/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/poll-what-classes-would-you-like-to-see-return-in-diablo-3/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/poll-what-classes-would-you-like-to-see-return-in-diablo-3/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/polls/" rel="tag">Polls</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/diablo-2-class-lineup-490.jpg" alt="" /></div>
Along with finally confirming <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/diablo-3">Diablo 3's</a> </em>existence, Blizzard also revealed two of the five (<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/joystiq-chats-with-jay-wilson-on-diablo-3/">or perhaps more</a>) classes, the Witch Doctor and the Barbarian. Although we imagine any returning characters would see a massive overhaul from their previous renditions -- that's assuming the remaining three aren't entirely original -- we want to know who you'd like to see make it into the third game.<br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/poll-what-classes-would-you-like-to-see-return-in-diablo-3/#poll16132">View Poll</a></p><br />%Gallery-26348%<br />(Note: All classes in the game have <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/highlights-from-the-diablo-3-faq/">both male and female options</a>, hence voting <em>D1's </em>sorcerer is the same as voting for <em>D2's </em>sorceress.)<br /><img alt="" src="file:///Users/Blogspace/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-4.jpg" /><img alt="" src="file:///Users/Blogspace/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-5.jpg" /><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/poll-what-classes-would-you-like-to-see-return-in-diablo-3/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1239888/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/poll-what-classes-would-you-like-to-see-return-in-diablo-3/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>blizzard</category><category>diablo</category><category>diablo-2</category><category>diablo-3</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-29T05:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item></channel></rss>