Whatever you think of motion control and the surplus of peripherals released since Nintendo popularized the concept with the Wii, it’s tough to argue with the genius of Johann Sebastian Joust. Sony’s Move controller has been looking for a reason to exist, and Johann Sebastian Joust justifies the glowing device.

Thing is, Johann Sebastian Joust is only available if developer Die Gute Fabrik has sent you a build, which means you’re probably a member of the media or a friend of designer Douglas Wilson. The game doesn’t have a publisher, and it’s continued to drive me crazy that Sony hasn’t picked it up.

Going through the last of my notes and interviews from E3, I discovered I did ask Sony about it.

During my chat with Sony’s head of worldwide studios, Shuhei Yoshida, I probed him about Johann Sebastian Joust, an as-of-yet unsigned game that's selling many people on Move controllers. I asked how he hasn't picked it up yet.

“I’m not totally sure,” said Yoshida. “I think I’ve played it.”

He then paused for a moment, seemingly thinking hard.

“Yeah, yeah--I tried it at worldwide studios,” he said. “We were talking to the guys. As far as I’m concerned, the game is already complete, so I played it, and I had fun playing it, so I was expecting, in some way, first-party or third-party would [help that] come out.”

At this point, I’m wondering if Yoshida is about to hand me a hot scoop.

“But I’m not familiar with the state of the things with that game,” he said.

Of course, he could be lying.

(Scroll to 00:12:16 to see our Johann Sebastian Joust segment from the Big Live Live Show Live.)

The last we heard from Die Gute Fabrik about the future of Johann Sebastian Joust was when developer Ustwo was criticized for creating an iPhone game, Papa Quash, that was incredibly similar. Papa Quash was eventually removed from the App Store, and it prompted Die Gute Fabrik to discuss the game's status.

“Publisher negotiations involve iterative processes that take time,” said the studio during the Papa Quash controversy. “Nevertheless, we believe the inherent risk and delay are worth the reward. We’re doing everything we can to bring you the version of J.S. Joust we’ve always envisioned – even if that path is a more arduous one. Partnering with the right publisher and/or distributor will help us spread the word about J.S. Joust to players who might not otherwise get exposed to the game.”

Look, I don’t care if Sony publishes Johann Sebastian Joust. I just want other people to play it. Hurry up!

Whatever you think of motion control and the surplus of peripherals released since Nintendo popularized the concept with the Wii, it’s tough to argue with the genius of Johann Sebastian Joust. Sony’s Move controller has been looking for a reason to exist, and Johann Sebastian Joust justifies the glowing device.

Thing is, Johann Sebastian Joust is only available if developer Die Gute Fabrik has sent you a build, which means you’re probably a member of the media or a friend of designer Douglas Wilson. The game doesn’t have a publisher, and it’s continued to drive me crazy that Sony hasn’t picked it up.

Going through the last of my notes and interviews from E3, I discovered I did ask Sony about it.

During my chat with Sony’s head of worldwide studios, Shuhei Yoshida, I probed him about Johann Sebastian Joust, an as-of-yet unsigned game that's selling many people on Move controllers. I asked how he hasn't picked it up yet.

“I’m not totally sure,” said Yoshida. “I think I’ve played it.”

He then paused for a moment, seemingly thinking hard.

“Yeah, yeah--I tried it at worldwide studios,” he said. “We were talking to the guys. As far as I’m concerned, the game is already complete, so I played it, and I had fun playing it, so I was expecting, in some way, first-party or third-party would [help that] come out.”

At this point, I’m wondering if Yoshida is about to hand me a hot scoop.

“But I’m not familiar with the state of the things with that game,” he said.

Of course, he could be lying.

(Scroll to 00:12:16 to see our Johann Sebastian Joust segment from the Big Live Live Show Live.)

The last we heard from Die Gute Fabrik about the future of Johann Sebastian Joust was when developer Ustwo was criticized for creating an iPhone game, Papa Quash, that was incredibly similar. Papa Quash was eventually removed from the App Store, and it prompted Die Gute Fabrik to discuss the game's status.

“Publisher negotiations involve iterative processes that take time,” said the studio during the Papa Quash controversy. “Nevertheless, we believe the inherent risk and delay are worth the reward. We’re doing everything we can to bring you the version of J.S. Joust we’ve always envisioned – even if that path is a more arduous one. Partnering with the right publisher and/or distributor will help us spread the word about J.S. Joust to players who might not otherwise get exposed to the game.”

Look, I don’t care if Sony publishes Johann Sebastian Joust. I just want other people to play it. Hurry up!

Did you now?

Still think that I would pay money for that iPhone version because I would rather play it than not play it.

Keen for another Big Live Show, also for this game to come out.

I still haven't found a way to play it and I must!

Most likely because no one owns a Move.

It's strange, Sony (lately) has been making what most people would call "risks" on their PSN releases. This seems like it would fit right in with the rest.

Welcome back Tricky.

@Giefcookie said:

Most likely because no one owns a Move.

Or also the fact that PS3 is all about video games and JSJ apart from having a really awful name, has almost nothing to do with videogames as you don't even look at a TV. They would have to price it at below $5 or so for anyone to really care about purchasing what essentially is something you might find in a quirky 100 Party Games compilation.

@Humanity said:

@Giefcookie said:

Most likely because no one owns a Move.

Or also the fact that PS3 is all about video games and JSJ apart from having a really awful name, has almost nothing to do with videogames as you don't even look at a TV. They would have to price it at below $5 or so for anyone to really care about purchasing what essentially is something you might find in a quirky 100 Party Games compilation.

this is what i have been thinking, why pair this with an expensive console and periphirals. This looks more like a toy than a video game.

@andriv said:

@Humanity said:

@Giefcookie said:

Most likely because no one owns a Move.

Or also the fact that PS3 is all about video games and JSJ apart from having a really awful name, has almost nothing to do with videogames as you don't even look at a TV. They would have to price it at below $5 or so for anyone to really care about purchasing what essentially is something you might find in a quirky 100 Party Games compilation.

this is what i have been thinking, why pair this with an expensive console and periphirals. This looks more like a toy than a video game.

I think it looks like an iPhone app. Wait..

License it. Release it for 5 bucks and move on.

@Evercaptor said:

Still think that I would pay money for that iPhone version because I would rather play it than not play it.

I'm curious how they'd pull that off. It'd be so easy to break your phone.

@Humanity said:

@Giefcookie said:

Most likely because no one owns a Move.

Or also the fact that PS3 is all about video games and JSJ apart from having a really awful name, has almost nothing to do with videogames as you don't even look at a TV. They would have to price it at below $5 or so for anyone to really care about purchasing what essentially is something you might find in a quirky 100 Party Games compilation.

GB is overdue for big long live show of any kind! I loved the SNES one!

yep, still don't care at all about JSJ

Welcome back Scoops.

Look I'm reading about this, in the GB wiki and having Googled it, and I still don't understand the premise or mechanics behind this "game" or why it needs to be released.

And I'm even danish, what with Die Gute Fabrik being a danish developer inspired by a danish children's game!

Maybe Sony doesn't want to get sued when some kid inevitably gets hurt playing this game?

It's cool and all, but "the best reason to own a Move controller"? Seriously?

@FoxMulder said:

GB is overdue for big long live show of any kind! I loved the SNES one!

I'd really love a PS1 stream. Ryan can play some No One Can Stop Mr. Domino.

Isn't that game kinda dangeruous for the move controller? like if people are punching shoving eachother those controllers are gonna break at some point I don't know why would you want that... also where's the picture with the surprised blond girl !? I don't know what game this is aymore.

I've played a pile of this, it's a ton of fun. I've only ever seen one person 'not get it'.

here's a video of it being played at our BBQ:

Wouldn't this game just be a big PR nightmare for Sony if they were to fully embrace it?

Like when the Wii first came out and loads of people threw their Wii Remotes into their TVs.

Its funny, I clicked on the article to figure out who John Joust was and now I have become a fan of Jean Baudlin and his 10 string bass.

I still don't really understand the fervor over Papa Quash. So no one is allowed to make anything like this game even for other platforms?

Tricky's big scoop here is "yeah, I dunno"?

It would probably be a substantial legal hassle to make sure you can't be sued for any injuries or destroyed property.

Does anyone actually care about JSJ outside of the GB staff? I don't know anyone who owns a Move controller nevermind 7 people who own one.

I mean sure it doesn't have anything to do with video games really, but still you could potentially sell quite a few units. If the PS3 can do things other than play video games, why can't their peripherals do the same?

Isn't the issue liability? Do you think Sony wants to publish a game with their name on it that encourages people to use Patrick as a battering ram ala the Big Live Live Show Live? Didn't Nintendo catch heat when kids were tossing their Wiimotes at each other? If I was in-house liability counsel for Sony I would be making the X sign in front of my chest ala Tokyo Game Show to signify my opinion as to whether Sony should publish.

think about it

Yes the game is fun.

BUT

How much money could it possibly make to justify the potential liability.

The other danger is that if Sony or some big company does pick it up or make something like it, it will be an ultra gimped version. Like "everyone touch your toes or the light will go off!" instead of trying to make others drop the remote or shake it etc.

I think they should make their own proprietary remotes with gyrscopes and sell the game on kickstarter or something.

It would have been cool if Papa Quash actually stayed on the store. Then I and others could actually play this game. Even if JSJ comes out (LOL NO) there is no way people are going to pick up a bunch of those Move controllers. At least nobody I know would.

Maybe a different hardware solution is needed. Something stand alone, cheaper and smaller. I know that's not easy but this really seems like something where a toy manufacturer would probably help a lot instead of Sony, Activision or Ubisoft.

@wilsonk said:

Does anyone actually care about JSJ outside of the GB staff? I don't know anyone who owns a Move controller nevermind 7 people who own one.

Exactly, this game doesn't look fun at all.

If i'm having a bunch of people around drinking and having fun, and i happen to own 7 move controllers i still wouldn't want to play this game.

@patrickklepek said:

@Evercaptor said:

Still think that I would pay money for that iPhone version because I would rather play it than not play it.

I'm curious how they'd pull that off. It'd be so easy to break your phone.

Do you think that the hesitation to publish this game comes from the inherent risk of injury? I mean, you guys were throwing chairs and shoes and tackling each other, which could only lead to lawsuits and the like, right? If it's a Sony-endorsed product, there's going to be a chance for something real, real awful to happen to people playing it.

Jean Buadein rules

Yeah Sony why don't you try and monetize a niche title that requires people to buy some expensive peripherals no one cares about??????

I find this "game" to be extremely boring.

This is never coming out. It's too expensive to own so many move controllers, and the risk of breaking shit is too great for anyone to get behind it.
 
Also, I'm I the only one who thinks Patrick writes weirdly? It's something about the combination of first person and something else but I can't quite put my finger on it.
Weird weird weird.

@patrickklepek said:

@Evercaptor said:

Still think that I would pay money for that iPhone version because I would rather play it than not play it.

I'm curious how they'd pull that off. It'd be so easy to break your phone.

Do you think that the hesitation to publish this game comes from the inherent risk of injury? I mean, you guys were throwing chairs and shoes and tackling each other, which could only lead to lawsuits and the like, right? If it's a Sony-endorsed product, there's going to be a chance for something real, real awful to happen to people playing it.

It's dangerous and hard to sell people on the move game that does not use the ps3 or a tv. Why buy something you won't even

Seems like there isn't an overwhelming demand for it even here on the website.

sony should buy the game and use it as a home screen mini game when more than one controllers plugged in and no ones doing anything interesting on the menus. boom joust all the time

If Move wound up functional on PS4 along with all previous PS3 games, I would happily pick up move controllers and JSJ. But this is the end of a cycle; I can't spend $100+ on a party game at the end of a cycle!

This may sound dismissive and pretentious as hell, but I'd say it's because it's less a video game and more a toy type of thing that happens to use a video game controller.

If you don't want to read all the comments, they're basically "I've never played this game and it's shit"

The More You Know. *jingle*

PSN only + people who actually own Move + people who've already written off Move and tossed in a box somewhere + people who want to play a game with expensive equipment that isn't a videogame + people who might want to play it but don't have the social group that would allow it = No market for this game, beyond a handful of people in the game industry who wouldn't have to pay money for it anyways, and very small groups of enthusiasts.

Did I figure it out?

It feels like it'd do better as a stand alone party game, the PS3 and move are superfluous, it'd be smarter to just release it as that. Toy companies are already putting out cheap motion control toys for 20 bucks, Disney and Mattel have released a ton of children games with motion controls suitable enough for Joust.

The whole concept feels pretty vague so it seems like something that would be hard to license or whatnot since the rules to play are incredibly simple.

@Peanut said:

PSN only + people who actually own Move + people who've already written off Move and tossed in a box somewhere + people who want to play a game with expensive equipment that isn't a videogame + people who might want to play it but don't have the social group that would allow it = No market for this game, beyond a handful of people in the game industry who wouldn't have to pay money for it anyways, and very small groups of enthusiasts.

Did I figure it out?

Thats the jist of it - but game journalists love it!