Articles by: Balend Naoom

Microsoft’s Stephen Toulouse to resign in mid-February, destination unknown [updated]

One day after his 17th Valentine’s Day with Microsoft, director of Xbox Live policy and enforcement Stephen “StepTo” Toulouse will step down from his current position and head out into the unknown. “On the 16th, I’m going to head down to Dallas to visit my family. Then I’m off to JocoCruiseCrazy! I have no other plans beyond that. I’m a free agent!” he said on his personal website today.

Toulouse says the split is amicable, and that he’s moving on for “complex and personal” reasons. He’s been a Microsoft employee for just under 18 years, starting full-time on April 11, 1994 at the age of 21 (which is a lot more impressive than what most of us were doing at age 21).

It’s unclear who will fill his shoes, but we’ve reached out to Microsoft for comment.

Update: Microsoft has issued the following comment to Joystiq regarding the departure of Stephen Toulouse, and declined to name his replacement: “As you know, after more than 17 years at Microsoft, Stephen Toulouse has decided to leave the company. We thank Stephen for his years of contributions and wish him all the best. We do not have any details to share around a potential successor for Stepto at this time, but can assure you that the Xbox LIVE Enforcement Squad will continue their work to help ensure a safer and more secure experience on Xbox LIVE for our nearly 40 million members.”

Joystiq Microsoft’s Stephen Toulouse to resign in mid-February, destination unknown [updated] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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February 5, 2012 0 comments Read More

Video review: Mad Catz Arcade FightStick Soul Edition

A few weeks ago, Mad Catz sent me one of its latest arcade sticks, the SoulCalibur 5 branded Soul Edition arcade fightstick. After daily testing on SC5, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Mortal Kombat, the Soul Edition not only met my expectations, but exceeded them, as you can tell from the review video above.

The company’s Tournament Edition sticks have always been excellent pieces of hardware, and the Soul Edition is no exception. It’s solidly constructed from arcade-quality parts and is heavy enough to stay in place, regardless of whether you fight on a table-top or your lap. The stick’s striking motif and subtle design elements set it apart from every other mass-produced arcade stick on the market; if you want to stand out at your local Ranking Battles without incurring the cost of a custom-made stick, you’d be hard pressed to find a piece of fighting tech that’s this unique, right out of the box.

Joystiq Video review: Mad Catz Arcade FightStick Soul Edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 will have Worms: Ultimate Mayhem on Feb. 14

The PS3 version of Worms: Ultimate Mayhem will finally crawl into the light later this month. Developer Team 17 has announced that the PSN title will be released in North America on Valentine’s Day, February 14, just in time to share some annelid warfare with your better half. Europe will see the game arrive on February 15, which gives single people something to look forward to, we guess?

Worms: Ultimate Mayhem will be available for $ 14.99 in North America, £9.99 in the UK and €12.99 in the rest of Europe. PlayStation Plus subscribers will also receive an unspecified “launch discount.”

Continue reading PS3 will have Worms: Ultimate Mayhem on Feb. 14

Joystiq PS3 will have Worms: Ultimate Mayhem on Feb. 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is giving you some serious advice

So, Resident Evil: Revelations is shipping with a pretty hilarious spelling error, and Capcom is offering to send a replacement insert to people who receive the misprinted box. For the love of God, don’t take them up on that offer. Or if you do, hang on to that defective insert for dear life. This is the kind of thing that, in 15 or 20 years, will be going for thousands of dollars on the collector market.

If “quickly corrected printing error” and “fairly limited production run” don’t sound like the bank-account infusing ding of a 1950s cash register, I don’t know what does. While you’re frantically calling your local game shop to see if they have any in stock, take a look at our favorite webcomics from last week, and vote for your favorites after the break.

Dream Land Mix (Brawl in the Family)
The Creative Spark (Penny Arcade)
Moral Victories (GameOver Nation)
Wardrobe Malfunction (Awkward Zombie)
Keptocalypse (Hejibits)
Overwear (Nerf Now!!)
Call of Booty (Dueling Analogs)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is giving you some serious advice

Joystiq Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is giving you some serious advice originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prepare yourself for Sonic Boom 2012 at SDCC

The House of Blues in San Diego will play host to Sonic Boom 2012 on Friday, July 13, during the San Diego Comic Con. Comic Con badges will not be required to enter the event, although what the event actually is still remains completely unknown, save for the fact that Sega’s ultimate goal is to “make it a great time for Sonic fans of all ages.” Last year’s Sonic Boom centered mostly on Sonic Generations, prize giveaways and a musical performance by Crush 40, the greatest band in the world.

If we had to guess, we’d figure that this year’s Sonic Boom will focus mostly on Sonic 4: Episode 2, since that’s the only pressing Sonic release on our immediate horizon. We’ll be keeping our collective ear to the ground for more ~~Crush 40 live show~~ Sonic Boom 2012 news as it develops.

Joystiq Prepare yourself for Sonic Boom 2012 at SDCC originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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February 4, 2012 0 comments Read More

Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition now on Games on Demand

Pugilists with a penchant for downloads will be delighted to hear that Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition has been added to Xbox Live’s Games on Demand list. No longer are you forced to download that ordinary, boring Street Fighter IV — a Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition download will set you back $ 29.99.

Now, before you go rushing to download this, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that you could buy a physical copy of Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition for $ 19.99, a whole $ 10 off the price to download.

Joystiq Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition now on Games on Demand originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: PSN accounts changing to Sony Entertainment Network accounts Feb. 8

As part of Sony’s efforts to phase out the Qriocity brand and replace it with the all-encompassing Sony Entertainment Network, Sony will be phasing out the term “PlayStation Network account” and will instead be using “Sony Entertainment Network account,” beginning next Wednesday, February 8.

The change, however, is purely cosmetic. Your account will still function in an identical fashion and it will not be necessary to change your username or password; the PSN itself remains unaltered.

“The goal is for there to be one networked log-in for all Sony services,” a Sony spokesperson told us after news of the switch made its way to neoGAF. “Changing the name ‘PlayStation Network account’ to ‘Sony Entertainment Network account’ helps clarify the unity between PSN and other Sony Entertainment Network services.” The change does not apply to the PSP, so users will still see “PlayStation Network account” when logging on with that device.

Joystiq PSA: PSN accounts changing to Sony Entertainment Network accounts Feb. 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends announced by Atari

Atari has announced a new version of Test Drive, but instead of the open-world, tropical setting of the two Unlimited iterations, this time the franchise is headed back to the race track. Test Drive Ferrari Racing Legends will focus on Ferrari’s history across almost all of the racing disciplines, including Formula One, rally racing, and GT. There will be over 50 different Ferrari vehicles to drive, and each will show off full realistic interior and exterior models, as well as damage effects, which means Atari didn’t skimp on the Ferrari licensing budget.

The game should be out for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC later on this spring. Too bad the company didn’t stick with the more fantasy-based version of the Test Drive series, this time based exclusively on night drives in Africa; They could have named the game the Starry Atari Ferrari Safari. Don’t like that joke? Sorry.

Joystiq Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends announced by Atari originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XBL getting Crackle, CinemaNow apps

If Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus and the Zune marketplace haven’t been enough to satiate your unquenchable thirst for all things cinematic, perhaps two more apps will help quell the raging torrent in your soul. Crackle, a free service, has a somewhat limited and eccentric selection of movies and television shows to choose from, although they do have a rather impressive selection of classic anime like Ah! My Goddess and Galaxy Express 999.

Best Buy’s CinemaNow ecosystem has more new releases to choose from, but its services require cash money. It’s unclear whether all of the content on these two services will be available through the respective apps, or if some content will be restricted, like the YouTube and Hulu Plus apps. If our calculations are correct, Xbox Live only needs 2 more movie apps and 4 more internet radio apps before it becomes self aware.

Joystiq XBL getting Crackle, CinemaNow apps originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brand swings on to Xbox Live Indie Games

Brand caught our eye all the way back in August of last year, and we’ve just gotten word that the game is available now on Xbox Live Indie Games, yours for the low price of just 240 Microsoft points ($ 3). You can see a release trailer above, and all of those swords you see in there are custom-made, because the game allows you to create your own.

We’re also told that you can play as your own Xbox Live avatar, and that there’s about five hours of nonlinear exploration gameplay across three big areas. Looks good — if you give it a download, let us know what you think.

Brand swings on to Xbox Live Indie Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Articles by: Balend Naoom

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