Posts by John Callaham at Joystiq

The Best of Big Download: July 6-12

2 Comments by John Callaham Jul 12th 2008 11:00PM
Filed under: Mac, PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

Next week we head to Los Angeles to cover the 2008 edition of the E3 Media and Business Summit but before then we did a huge mult-part article on what games we wanted to see most at the show. Check out the highlights from Big Download in the past week.

Exclusive Features:

Big Download's most anticipated PC games of E3 2008: We have 6,000 words and tons of screenshots about the games we most want to see next week at E3.
Big Download's E3 Week Prediction Bingo: Have some fun with our game that has our predictions (both real and wacky) for what will be revealed at E3 next week
Big Versus: Civilization IV and Revolution: How does the PC Civilizations IV compare to the new console only Civilization Revolution? We have an answer..
Games to play while waiting for Diablo III: Want to get your action-RPG addition on before Blizzard's next game? We have a look at some recommended titles for you to check out.
Sound-off: Hurry up and wait for those games: Some games take rears to come out after they are first announced. Does our interest give out after waiting for too long?
Big Idea: Our video games art?: Our latest column on the big ideas in gaming takes a look at the ever changing debate on whether they should be called works of art.
Freeware Friday: This editin of our free games column takes a look at the retro style game I Want to Be The Guy.
MacMonday: The iPhone 3G was released on Friday. Will Apple's latest device, with support for downloadable games, change the gaming industry?
BigCast: Our latest podcast has team members chat about a number of PC gaming topics ahead of E3.

Continue reading The Best of Big Download: July 6-12

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The Best of Big Download; June 29-July 5, 2008

1 Comment by John Callaham Jul 5th 2008 12:00PM
Filed under: PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

This may have been a holiday week but we were extremely busy anyway with tons of original content and features along with some great new downloads. Here's a look at the highlights.

Exclusive Features

Hands-On Space Siege: We get to play with a late build of the sci-fi action-RPG from Gas Powered Games and Sega
Hands-On Bionic Commando: We swing to new heights with this preview of the third person action game revival from GRIN and Capcom
Hands-On Civilization IV Colonization: We check out this (sort of) remake of Sid Meier's classic strategy game from Firaxis and 2K Games
Hands-On American McGee's Grimm: We play through the first portions of this episodic action game that's coming from Gametap.
Preview: Call of Duty World at War: We check out a live demo of the upcoming WWII shooter from Treyarch and Activision.
Interview: Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People: We chat with members of Telltale Games to find out more about their upcoming episodic adventure game.
Alone in the Dark: We compare the PC version of the Atari survival horror game to its Xbox 360 counterpart in our latest Big Versus article and go more in-depth with the game as well.
Guide to TF2 Pyro Achievements Part 6: We have the final part of our series of articles looking at the new achievements for the Pyro class in Team Fortress 2.
Big Ideas: Our new weekly column on gaming's major themes takes a look at story in games.
Freeware Friday: Our weekly look at free games talks about the scrolling shooter rRootage
Big Iron: Our hardware column takes a look at the new 4800 series of Radeon graphics chips from AMD/ATI
Mac Monday: Our regular look at Mac gaming takes a look at the Mac exclusive arcade game Neon Tango
BigCast: Members of Big Download chat about the week of PC games in our latest podcast.

Continue reading The Best of Big Download; June 29-July 5, 2008

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The Best of Big Download; June 22-28, 2008

1 Comment by John Callaham Jun 28th 2008 6:00PM
Filed under: PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

Wow. We have had tons of news, downloads and new content for Big Download this week . . .and that's just for Diablo III. Let's take a look at the highlights for the past week.

Exclusive Features

Games for Windows Press Conference: We attend Microsoft's press event where they give their views on the future of PC gaming.
Guide to TF2 Pyro Achievements: Want a details look at all of the new achievements you can get while playing the Pyro in Team Fortress 2. Then check out the first five parts of our series: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, and Part 5.
Shattered Suns Interview: We have an extensive interview with Chas. Cooper of Clear Crown Studios about their upcoming space based RTS game.
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford: We chat with the head of the extremely busy game developer on Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway and their other projects.
Alone In the Dark Interview: We chat with Atari US producer Todd Slepian about their just released survival horror game.
Hands-On: Deer Hunter Tournament: We get hands-on with the newest entry in the hunting sim series from Atari.
In-Depth: Armaggedon Empires: We take a detailed ook at this acclaimed indie strategy game.
In-Depth: The Political Machine: We offer a look at the just released political strategy game from Stardock
Big Ideas: Why do we play video games?: Our editorial takes a look at why we need playtime with games anyway.
BigCast 001: Our debut podcast has three of our team members chatting about, what else, PC gaming
Freeware Friday: Our weekly look at free games has a look at Freeciv, a free tribute to the great Civilization games.
Spore Creature Creator contest: You still have time to participate in our contest; make the best creatures and win some cool prizes

Continue reading The Best of Big Download; June 22-28, 2008

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The Best Of Big Download: June 15-21, 2008

0 Comments by John Callaham Jun 21st 2008 2:00PM
Filed under: PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

It's yet another huge week here at the Big Download news site. For a "game" that's not really a game, Maxis' Spore Creature Creator generated more buzz than most true PC game titles. But that's not all we had. Take a look at the highlights from the past week.

Exclusives

Spore Creature Creator: Not only did we chat briefly with Spore's executive producer Lucy Bradshaw, we launched a Spore Creature Creator contest that will give the winners some cool prizes.
Interview: Brad Wardell of Stardock: We chat with the CEO of Stardock about The Political Machine 2008, Sins of a Solar Empire, their new Impulse game delivery system and lots more.
Interview: Randy Stude of The PC Gaming Alliance: We quiz the president of the non-profit organization on their plans to promote and improve PC gaming.
Freeware Friday: Our latest free game spotlight goes to the sci-fi action strategy game Battleships Forever.

Continue reading The Best Of Big Download: June 15-21, 2008

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The Best Of Big Download: June 8-14, 2008

0 Comments by John Callaham Jun 14th 2008 2:00PM
Filed under: PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

Did you have a good week? We had a terrific one at Big Download but with the release of Spore Creature Creator next week it promises to be an even busier time for our site. In the meantime here are the highlights from the past week

Exclusive Features

Interview: Vic Davis of Armaggedon Empires: We chat with the creator of the acclaimed indie turn based strategy PC game.
MODverlous Monday: This week we examine two custom mad maps for Blizzard's classic RTS game Starcraft.
Casually Speaking: We take a look at the "death" of the video arcade.
Freeware Friday: This week's free featured game is the nearly graphics-free RTS/RPG title Dwarf Fortress
Big Iron: Our regular hardware column takes you through some video card basics

Continue reading The Best Of Big Download: June 8-14, 2008

The Best Of Big Download: June 1-7, 2008

1 Comment by John Callaham Jun 7th 2008 5:30PM
Filed under: PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

It was an extremely busy week at Big Download in the past week; we got invited to two big press events, we talked about the DRM in Mass Effect and . . . well, just read this post and see for yourself.

Exclusive Features

1C Company press event: The Russian based developer-publisher held a press event in the Russian Consulate in San Francisco and we have a ton of coverage: 1C Company announces Theater of War 2 and other new titles at press event; Hands-On: Cryostasis, Hands-On: Hummer 4x4, Hands-On: Necrovision, Hands-On: Men of War; Hands-On: Death Track: Resurrection; Hands-On: Captain Blood (Xbox 360);
GRID Launch coverage: Codemasters' latest racing game hit stores this week and we have extensive coverage: In-Depth: GRID; Big Versus: GRID; Codemasters' GRID launch event.
Sound Off: DRM Mass Hysteria: Is the DRM system in the PC version of Mass Effect good or bad? How about a little bit of both?
MODvelous Monday: We look at the classic They Hunger total conversions for the original Half-Life
Casually Speaking: Do casual games offer the amount of depth that other games have?
Freeware Friday: We look at the great free title Torus Trooper this week

Continue reading The Best Of Big Download: June 1-7, 2008

The Best Of Big Download: May 23-31, 2008

4 Comments by John Callaham May 31st 2008 12:30PM
Filed under: PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

Who says PC gaming is dying? We don't. The new Big Download blog site continues to gain readers and post up exclusive news and content on all aspects of PC gaming. This week we have a ton of Mass Effect PC features as well as other content for you to check out. Here are the highlights from the past week:

Exclusive Features

In-Depth: Mass Effect: We go in detail on the new PC port of BioWare's acclaimed science fiction RPG
Big Iron: Mass Effect's effective mass: We find out if your PC rig can run the game with all the bells and whistles.
Big Versus: Mass Effect: How do the PC and Xbox 360 versions of the game compare to each other? We find out.
PvP vs PvE: EA Mythic on Warhammer Online: Our series of PvP interviews for MMO games continues with EA Mythic's Jeff Hickman on their plans for the feature in Warhammer Online.
Running With Scissors Vince Desi on the Postal movie: We chat with the Postal development head on the newly release movie version of their dark satire action game series.
Big Versus: Penny Arcade Adventures - Episode One: We compare the PC and Xbox 360 versions of the new downloadable adventure-RPG from Hothead Games
Casually Speaking: Are causal games really gateway games?: Our weekly casual games column looks at the debate on how playing casual games could lead some players to try more hardcore titles
Freeware Friday: Abuse: The weekly column on free games takes a look at a golden oldie; the side-scrolling sci-fi shooter Abuse
MODvelous Monday: This week's look at game mods looks at the Classic Doom 3 total conversion for Doom 3

Continue reading The Best Of Big Download: May 23-31, 2008

The Best Of Big Download: May 16-22, 2008

4 Comments by John Callaham May 22nd 2008 3:45PM
Filed under: PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

Hello once again, loyal reader. The team at Big Download has had an extremely busy second week with lots of features, downloads and news to report about on the PC gaming scene. It doesn't get much bigger than the release of Penny Arcade Adventures (and yes we have the PC, Mac and Linux demo versions available to download) and of course Age of Conan was pretty huge as well. We are still trying to iron out a few more bugs on the site but we are pretty happy with what we've got so far. Let's take a quick look at the highlights for our second official week:

Exclusive Features:

PvP vs PvE: ArenaNet on Guild Wars: We chat with game designer Isaiah Cartwright on how they develop the PvP and PvE aspects of Guild Wars.
Epic's Mark Rein on Chair Entertainment purchase: We chat briefly with Epic Games' VP on their acquisition of Chair Entertainment
Age of Conan: The pros and cons: Should you buy Funcom's new MMO? We look at the pluses and minuses of the fantasy game.
Big Iron: Age of Conan's demanding tribute: Our hardware columist takes a look at what kind of PC you will need to run Age of Conan
MODverlous Monday: Our new weekly mod column takes a look at two Half-Life 2 mods
Freeware Friday: Our weekly look at free games takes a look at the classic title N
Casually Speaking: Orisinal and the Zen of design: Our casual game columist checks out an impressive casual game web site
Talkin' Smack: Online voice chat in kids' games: An editorial on how game designers might deal with the tricky issue of game voice chat for children
Guide to Team Fortress 2 Medic Achievements: Check out the final two parts of our extensive look at the various achievements for the Medic class in Valve's multiplayer shooter: Part 5; Part 6

Continue reading The Best Of Big Download: May 16-22, 2008

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The Best Of Big Download: May 8 - May 15, 2008

3 Comments by John Callaham May 15th 2008 7:30PM
Filed under: PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

Howdy folks! I'm John Callaham, one of the lead writers at the new Big Download site. As some of you may know we had a "soft launch" last week for both the main site and the related Joystiq-powered news blog that's dedicated to all things PC gaming. We are still in beta mode, so that means we are in the process of squashing a few remaining bugs, but we are making great progress in that area. Despite our "beta" status, we ran a ton of terrific original features this week, and as we get ready for our full blown "hard launch" you can expect even more original features and exclusive news from Big Download. In the meantime here are our highlights for our debut week:

Exclusive features:

PvP vs PvE: Blizzard on World of Warcraft: Big Download chats exclusively with Blizzard team members on their plans for tournament play features in World of Warcraft.
In-Depth: Galactic Civilizations 2: Twilight of the Arnor: It's our detailed look at Stardock's just released second expansion to their hit space strategy game.
Guide to Team Fortress 2 Medic Achievements: Check out the first four parts of our extensive look at the various achievements for the Medic class in Valve's multiplayer shooter. Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four
Casually Speaking: Evolving the casual game: Our first entry in our new weekly look at casual games asks the question, "What is a casual game, anyway?"
Freeware Friday: Cave Story: Our weekly look at free games for the PC checks out an unusual title made by one Japanese man that our columist calls "quite possibly the best freeware game of all time."

Continue reading The Best Of Big Download: May 8 - May 15, 2008

LittleBigInsideJoke Impressions: Fat Princess PS3 Fanboy hands-on: Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm	Fansite awarded NPC honor BigRedKitty: Hex Lord Malacrass Hunter-guide movie WotLK Beta patch notes: Warlock part I
Series 2 Halo figures and points websites now live Shinedown and more NIN added to Rock Band E308 X3F Sticker Gallery: The final entry	Happy Dance Collection intended to make J-pop fans happy Another Week in Europe Wii Warm Up: Pikmin schmikmin
Izuna 2: Hands-on with an Unemployed Ninja Another Week in Europe DS Daily: Redesign disappointment	Valhalla Knights 2: more of the same Deal: Buy one PlayStation product, get another 50% off Katekyoo Hitman Reborn! trailer: anime 2D fighting game
E3 08: GamePolitics editor says E3 is "dead" E3 08: Silent Hill Homecoming set for PC release E3 08: Dragon Age Origins impressions

Breaking News »

The Best of Big Download: July 6-12

The Best of Big Download; June 29-July 5, 2008

The Best of Big Download; June 22-28, 2008

The Best Of Big Download: June 15-21, 2008

The Best Of Big Download: June 8-14, 2008

The Best Of Big Download: June 1-7, 2008

The Best Of Big Download: May 23-31, 2008

The Best Of Big Download: May 16-22, 2008

The Best Of Big Download: May 8 - May 15, 2008

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