Support NeoGAF

[Shard]

Oh, I would also like to point out that VOOT here is slated for April.

 

[Shard]

GOSUB 60 Releases Mobile Edition of Chocolatier
http://www.gamesondeck.com/news/1758/gosub_60_releases_mobile_edition_.php

GOSUB 60 has released a mobile version of PlayFirst's casual PC strategy title Chocolatier. The game features a unique blend of action and puzzle elements, in addition to its core economic-oriented strategy gameplay.

Chocolatier proved to be very popular with the casual PC gaming crowd upon its original release in 2007, achieving more than 25 million downloads within nine months of its launch.

"GOSUB 60 is proud to be selected by PlayFirst, Inc. and LimeLife to make this widely popular franchise available to millions of mobile phone users," said GOSUB 60 CEO Josh Hartwell. "Given GOSUB 60's proven track record of publishing superior quality casual games, we anticipate great success for the Chocolatier brand among the mobile audience."

The mobile edition of Chocolatier is now available through all major carriers via a monthly subscription or an unlimited access fee. GOSUB 60 notes that the franchise will also soon make its way to other platforms, including the Nintendo Wii and DS, Sony's PlayStation 3, Xbox Live Arcade, and Apple's iPhone.

 

[Shard]

Quake Arena Arcade LIVES~!

http://www.*******.com/2009/02/25/quake-3-arena-for-xbla-is-very-close-to-being-finished/

Despite being first spotted on the ESRB's leak-prone website nearly two years ago, and officially confirmed at QuakeCon over 18 months ago, id's John Carmack assures us that Pi Studios – developers behind the Xbox Live Arcade release of classic multiplayer shooter Quake 3 Arena – is "actually very close to finishing that up." He didn't identify any specific reasons for the delay, but said that the developer had "different things come up at different times" like having to "shift people onto different projects."

With Quake Live finally opening its doors to the public today, we asked if the two development teams – at both Pi and id Software – shared any insights into updating the FPS staple. Quake Live producer Marty Stratton said they shared "where it's made sense" – think "gameplay changes," "some ... new content," and some "new character skins" but not the newer, "more PC-centric" arenas. If they can get the finished game in front of Microsoft "within a month or two" like Carmack estimates, we may get multiple Quake 3 fixes within the year.

Check back later today for our full interview with id's John Carmack and Marty Stratton.

 

[Shard]

Watchmen: The End is Nigh Developer Interview

http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=60153

WP: Who has the honor to speak with us? State your name, rank, and occupation!

Jerry Pritchard, and I'm the associate producer for Warner Bros. Games.

WP: With a franchise like Watchmen, why a downloadable content game? Usually you hear about downloadable content and you think arcade games or a nice expansion pack, but so far, on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, there still hasn't been anything new or standalone that is a really high-quality title that could compare with a retail title. Why not make Watchmen a retail title? What went into the thought process to make it a downloadable title?

JP: Well, there are a couple of points there. Our first point was quality. We really wanted to aim for something that was going to be high-end quality, and to do that, we really focused our efforts on the telling of the tale of our specific two characters in the game. The other point of that is the timelines involved. We really wanted to release our high-quality game with this amazing movie that's coming out by Zack Snyder. The way we did that is we went the downloadable route, offering bites of the game in chunks. That way, we could really focus our efforts on making the highest quality polish that we could. In addition to that, we really worked in a high-end, triple-A, next-gen-looking game into the cost of a low-budget title, and we feel that our game is going to be one of the groundbreaker Xbox Live or PSN downloadable titles that will let people realize that you can do next-gen-looking stuff and not be a cheap arcade game.

WP: How does the development process differ? You mentioned the big ones, money and time, but when you first came on, you had to worry about getting a game ready for release that's going to be a downloadable title. What was going through your head, as a producer?

JP: Well, my first job is to make sure that we're putting out what we need to be putting out. Going back to the quality angle, we really looked at this game and thought, "We really want to make a full retail release, but it's just not in our timeline to make that work." We could either put out a low-quality game with lots of features, or we could batten down the hatches and really go for a limited scope and a limited character set but also make the quality just completely off the charts.

WP: Let's talk a bit about consumer expectations. When it comes to standalone titles that are downloadable, the sweet spot for consumers seems to be $10-15, and they expect about five hours of solid gameplay out of that. We've seen a few titles try and scratch the $20 barrier, but once you do that, people start thinking that they could get a budget release for $20-30, and that's a full title. How does the pricing aspect come into play when you're looking at producing a game and doing your sales projections?

JP: Again, it comes down to what's available on the market now and the titles that we go up against, but we really, really wanted to release a full title, a full release at a full price, but focusing on our quality aspects and our goals, we narrowed it down and were able to cut costs by introducing our episodic gameplay elements. Also, with the release of the movie, we're able to really pull in the high-quality look of the movie assets into the game and make the whole thing look really nice. I think we're delivering a high-end, triple-A, next-gen-looking game that's going to feature anywhere from eight to 12 hours of gameplay, which is a very, very great value for the size and cost of the game, but we're shooting to make this a very awesome, downloadable, cheap game.

WP: You mentioned "episodic" a few times. We saw that this first release has six chapters in it. Is this going to be a standalone title, or does the use of "episodic" in your description indicate that you're already working on follow-up releases?

JP: (laughs) This is a trick question! Well, the way our story folds out is similar to the graphic novel. The graphic novel is told in chapters. We're telling the same sort of story and the same style of storytelling that the graphic novel does by releasing it in episodes. Each episode is going to basically be a sort of standalone story line. In episode one, it's specifically about Rorschach and Night Owl, and we explore more in-depth of the Watchmen characters in each episode. So you'll get a little bit of a taste of something here, you'll get a little bit of a taste of something there, but in the end, it's all going to roll out into this big story line.

WP: Looking at gameplay, there's a lot of focus on melee combat, and you've got a few Quick Time Events. Why the choice to limit the use of weapons — no projectile weapons, no guns. Is that something that's tied into the environment itself, or is that a gameplay decision?

JP: A little bit of both, really. We wanted to focus our efforts on quality, and what we did was looked at the aspect of introducing projectile weapons, guns and the like, and decided that it's not what Watchmen's about. Watchmen's about delivering justice through the use of your fists, and that comes across very keenly in the graphic novel, and we wanted to explore that specifically. While guns and stuff are cool, we really didn't want to go into those gameplay mechanics.

WP: Character designs in the game are based on the character designs from the movie rather than the graphic novel. Given the rabid fan base of Watchmen, how did you come about that decision to go with the movie designs rather than the graphic novel designs?

JP: Again, it's just all about quality. The movie looks fantastic, and (laughs) we really wanted to steal some of that quality from the movie into the game. In working with the filmmakers and the graphic novel people as well as DC [Comics], we kind of all just decided to use the updated looks for the characters and costumes and really go that route.

PR: I can add to that. The game is based on the movie, not the graphic novel, and the movie is based on the novel, so we are working with the filmmakers directly. It's one of those things. It's not that the graphic novel is not quality.

WP: Going back briefly to the DLC, after the rise of PSN and XBLA, we're seeing a lot more DLC games also hitting the PC. So far, there have been very few developers targeting the Mac with downloadable games. Is there any reason why you guys aren't looking for a Mac OS release for Watchmen?

JP: I really don't have that information. I only know the SKUs that we release for are lead SKUs, and quality concerns aside, we really wanted to focus our efforts on the three primary platforms that we're releasing for.

WP: When we were playing the game earlier, you had mentioned that before you started working on it, you were fairly new to the Watchmen universe. Now that you've been involved with the game, have read the graphic novel, seen the movie, how has your appreciation of the characters changed from when you started to where you are now?

JP: Well, when I first heard of the Watchmen, I wondered, "Who are these characters? What are they?" I wasn't familiar with them or their story, or even their history, but after coming on board and sort of learning about the Watchmen universe, I discovered how deep these characters are, how very intriguing they can be, and really why the Watchmen is one of the best graphic novels of all time.

WP: I'm a gamer who maybe hasn't read the graphic novel. What would you say? Check out the game first and then see the movie? Or should I read the graphic novel, check out the movie and then play the game?

JP: The latter. I would read the novel first, check out the movie, and then play the game. Tell your friends. (laughs)

WP: Is there anything about the game that we haven't talked about that you wanted to add?

JP: Working on the game has been a real joy for me, and I really appreciate the opportunity to work with the Watchmen license.

WP: Favorite character?

JP: Rorschach!

WBIE's Watchmen: The End is Nigh, developed by Deadline Games, will be released on Xbox Live Arcade and PC on March 4, and on PlayStation Network on March 5, 2009

 

[Arpharmd B]

Oh, I would also like to point out that VOOT here is slated for April.

So soon? Are you serious?

Wow.

 

[Shard]

So soon? Are you serious?

Wow.

It was in the Famitsu article itself, it is right there in the Gamerbytes text.

 

[Rlan]

Quake Arena Arcade LIVES~!

http://www.*******.com/2009/02/25/quake-3-arena-for-xbla-is-very-close-to-being-finished/

Looking back at the original, "Canned" Quake Arena Article:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/next-gen-quake-arena-game-shelved

It doesn't necessarily specify "Quake Arena Arcade" being canned, or Xbox Live Arcade, simply that "Next Gen" Quake Arena isn't on the cards.

Maybe we all misinterpreted it?

 

[Shard]

It would say that might be the case considering that John Carmack himself clarified the status of Quake Arena Arcade.

 

[mujun]

since tow is on partnernet can anybody give us some details, impressions or any info at all?

i'm interested to hear how the career mode is. i'm hoping for something that takes a while to go through, i absolutely love re-volt...

 

[Shard]

http://majornelson.com/archive/2009/02/25/arcade-exit-2.aspx



Content: EXIT 2
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in Australia, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore
Dash Text: The sequel to Exit, the definitive escape puzzler! Escape danger all over the world! There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

 

[UpperCaseN]

So Kotaku is still reporting that the XBLA version of Puzzle Quest Galactrix is releasing tomorrow. Is there still a chance of this happening, or is Kotaku just completely wrong?

http://kotaku.com/5159308/galactrix-launch-trailer-perhaps-a-bit-too-epic

can anyone confirm if this this is up today?

 

[xbhaskarx]

Just Exit 2, Puzzle Quest Galactrix is not out.

 

[GarthVaderUK]

Looking back at the original, "Canned" Quake Arena Article:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/next-gen-quake-arena-game-shelved

It doesn't necessarily specify "Quake Arena Arcade" being canned, or Xbox Live Arcade, simply that "Next Gen" Quake Arena isn't on the cards.

Maybe we all misinterpreted it?

I've been saying that for ages.

Spoiler

May or may not have been on here though, I visit so many forums

 

[Crab Milk Mickey]

can anyone confirm if this this is up today?

It's Kotaku. Of course they're wrong.

 

[ChrisD84]

Quake Arena Arcade LIVES~!

http://www.*******.com/2009/02/25/quake-3-arena-for-xbla-is-very-close-to-being-finished/

Awesome news!

 

[Dwayne]

Content: EXIT 2
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: Not available in Australia, Hong Kong, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore
\

What.
And I just had a friend at work telling me he was excited this was coming out

 

[Shard]

Yahtzee Joins Hasbro Family Game Night

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/18983/Yahtzee-Joins-Hasbro-Family-Game-Night/

Electronic Arts announced today that Yahtzee joins Scrabble, Battleship and Connect and Connect Four for the launch of the Xbox Live Arcade Hasbro Family Game destination in March. Play original the Yahtzee or new versions such as “Block Out” where you can steal the category from your opponent by getting a higher score.

Roll the dice in style by choosing and customizing the game room you want to play in—whether it’s in the middle of a tropical jungle treehouse, a secret agent’s headquarters or somewhere in between, you can choose exactly where you’d like to challenge friends and family to some classic board game fun.

 

[Kafel]

Yahtzee Joins Hasbro Family Game Night

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/18983/Yahtzee-Joins-Hasbro-Family-Game-Night/

We knew it from the first screens :

 

[Rlan]

GamerBytes - What Needs To Be A Digital Download? #11 - The Strike Series

http://www.gamerbytes.com/2009/02/what_needs_to_be_on_digital_do_1.php

Again, comments would be awesome

 

[Shard]

We knew it from the first screens :

I think you mis-read the article, Yahtzee is joining the Hasbro Family Game Night launch instead of being shunted to release later on in the year.

Speaking of the package, Team Xbox previews Hasbro Family Game Night.

http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/2225/Hasbro-Family-Game-Night/p1/

 

[Shard]

Even more Hasbro Family Game Night News

http://xbox.*******.com/2009/02/25/hasbro-family-games-release-mid-march-include-avatar-support/

Nestled in a press release announcing the inclusion of Yahtzee in Hasbro Family Game Night (something we already knew) is confirmation that four Hasbro games will be releasing on Xbox Live Arcade sometime this March.

Scrabble, Connect Four, Battleship and Yahtzee will be the first four Hasbro titles made available when Xbox Live's special Family Game Night Destination launches next month. Boggle, Sorry! and Sorry! Sliders will release later this year.

The press release also confirms Avatars will be supported and that each title can be purchased individually for 800 ($10). If that wasn''t enough information, we're told the Family Game Night Destination lets players launch Hasbro games from their own customized game room. This uniquely decorated space accommodates Mr. Potato Head, can be shared with friends and sounds to be somewhat inspired by Home.

 

[goldenpp72]

xbla has been sucking ass lately for me, with games like worms, chu chu, marvel vs capcom 2 and such being rumored it could easily turn around though.. do it!

 

[DuckRacer]

So will we have to play the Hasbro games through the "Family Game Night" app, or can we play them like regular XBLA games?

 

[Shard]

So will we have to play the Hasbro games through the "Family Game Night" app, or can we play them like regular XBLA games?

Not sure exactly.

 

[Rlan]

You download the "application" of the Hasbro room in which you pick which game you want to buy and play.

 

[akilshohen]

Watchmen seems to be coming out next week. The schedule is kind of slipping, because I don't think KOF 98 is coming out next week.

 

[Haeleos]

xbla has been sucking ass lately for me, with games like worms, chu chu, marvel vs capcom 2 and such being rumored it could easily turn around though.. do it!

It doesn't help that PSN has got Flower and Noby Noby Boy recently and we're getting ... what we've been getting.

 

[Shard]

It doesn't help that PSN has got Flower and Noby Noby Boy recently and we're getting ... what we've been getting.

There is nothing wrong with the likes of R-Type Dimensions or Death Tank other then maybe the price, but that aside those were two very worthy additions to the XBLA line-up; as far as Watchmen goes, that kinda has to be released next week since the film releases that week as well, the PSN will share in that particular grief; finally, nobody ever said that KOF 98 XBLA was launching next week, that is for sometime in the Spring, which is kind of a borad timeframe.

 

[Caspel]

Hasbro is an app and you have to download the games to the app to play them.

 

[Sectus]

GamerBytes - What Needs To Be A Digital Download? #11 - The Strike Series

http://www.gamerbytes.com/2009/02/what_needs_to_be_on_digital_do_1.php

Again, comments would be awesome

How do I even write comments on your site? I was about to a few times in the past but I can't actually see any function to do so. Perhaps the site doesn't work properly with Opera.

 

[Zachack]

$10 for Scrabble is justifiable but Hasbro has another thing coming if they think any of the other games are worth more than $2.50-5 each.

 

[dreamcastmaster]

Watchmen seems to be coming out next week. The schedule is kind of slipping, because I don't think KOF 98 is coming out next week.

SNK so far have not managed to get any of thier titles out in a reasonable timeframe.

 

[Rlan]

How do I even write comments on your site? I was about to a few times in the past but I can't actually see any function to do so. Perhaps the site doesn't work properly with Opera.

Oh shit... I never realised. Appears to happen in IE too. Firefox is fine.

I'm on it. Thanks for that :lol

 

[CrunchinJelly]

Oh shit... I never realised. Appears to happen in IE too. Firefox is fine.

I'm on it. Thanks for that :lol

Doesn't work proper on iPhone, either, so I assume it's also fucked in Safari.

 

[Rlan]

We're looking into it. Hopefully fixed by the weekend.

Or just use Firefox!

I other news:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/d/dishwasherdsxboxlivearcade/

 

[hgplayer1]

VOOT and Chu Chu coming to XBLA? All thats missing is Alien Front Online!

 

[FerranMG]

One question here. Is it possible to gift game in XBLA?

 

[Kuroyume]

We're looking into it. Hopefully fixed by the weekend.

Or just use Firefox!

I other news:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/d/dishwasherdsxboxlivearcade/

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKKKKKKKKKK

I need to know when this is coming. I have 0 points on my account right now.

 

[Skilotonn]

We're looking into it. Hopefully fixed by the weekend.

Or just use Firefox!

I other news:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/d/dishwasherdsxboxlivearcade/

YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

Definitely picking up an extra 1600 points that I planned to get before now!

I just need a date, which will be soon since the splash page is up already...

Double yes about Quake XBLA as well, IGN also reported on it:

http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/957/957001p1.html

 

[PepsimanVsJoe]

Despite the fact that I already have Quake 3 on Steam, the modded Freeware version of Arena, and the existence of that free Quake 3 as well.

I'd still buy Quake 3 XBLA because I might actually have some chance of getting some kills.

 

[bigGIRLSblouse]

It doesn't help that PSN has got Flower and Noby Noby Boy recently and we're getting ... what we've been getting.

Flower is a great little game which would not work on the 360 anyways without the motion control. Noby Noby Boy was... well.. I found it horrible, but that is just me.However... I think The Maw, R-Type, Death Tank and the GTA DLC ( I know its not XBLA but it is downloadable) Live has been providing damn good content in this slow period.

I do however have one thing to say.. WHERE IS MY PEGGLE!!!

 

[Chiaroscuro]

I do however have one thing to say.. WHERE IS MY PEGGLE!!!

On Steam, where I have been playing it for months! :lol

 

[Kafel]

Telltale will bring Sam & Max : Save the World and Sam & Max : Beyond Time and Space on the service.

 

[CHR_AeON]

New splash pages are up:

Hasbro Family Game Night
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/hasbrofamilygamenightxbla/

Flock
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/f/flockxboxlivearcade/

Crystal Defenders
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crystaldefendersxboxlivearcade/

And the Outrun Online Arcade forum is already up and running...

 

[Shard]

The Second Annual Xbox LIVE® Arcade Awards Are Here

What are the best Xbox LIVE Arcade titles of 2008? You decide.

Xbox LIVE members around the world* are invited to cast their votes for their favorite Xbox LIVE Arcade titles in nine categories beginning Tuesday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. GMT.

There’s no need to set that controller down; vote directly on Xbox LIVE! Simply head to the Spotlight channel and make your voice heard.

Haven’t had a chance to play all the nominated titles? Fear not, you’ve got time to download and check out any game you have yet to play. Place and change your votes as many times as you like before Tuesday , March 10 at 11:59 p.m. GMT, at which time votes will be locked and the polls will close.

Microsoft will announce the winners of the second annual Xbox LIVE Arcade Awards, chosen by popular vote, shortly after.

Questions? Please visit www.xbox.com/xblaawards or contact Jessie DiMariano at jessie.dimariano@edelman.com, (206) 268-2211.

*Voting is open in all Xbox LIVE countries expect Japan, Korea, and Germany

And the nominees are:


Best Overall Arcade Game


Braid


Castle Crashers


Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2


Street Fighter II HD Remix


Portal: Still Alive



Best Original Game


Castle Crashers


N+


Braid


Penny Arcade Episode 1


Schizoid


Age of Booty



Best Family Game


Boogie Bunnies


Roogoo


A Kingdom for Keflings


Lost Cities


Meteos Wars



Best Co-operative Multiplayer Game


Castle Crashers


Schizoid


Bionic Commando Rearmed


N+


Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2



Best Competitive Multiplayer Game


Street Fighter II HD Remix


Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2


Soul Calibur


Meteos Wars


Age of Booty



Best Solo Game


Braid


Mega Man 9


Penny Arcade Episode 1


Rez HD


Portal: Still Alive



Best Innovation in XBLA


Braid (time travel)


A Kingdom for Keflings (use of Avatars)


Fable II Pub Games (retail game integration)

N+ (level sharing)


Duke Nukem 3D (dynamic replay)



Best Graphics


Street Fighter II HD Remix


Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2


Braid


Castle Crashers


Bionic Commando Rearmed



Best Classic/Remake Game


Bionic Commando Rearmed


Street Fighter II HD Remix


Mega Man 9


Galaga Legions


Rez HD

 

[AstroLad]

On Steam, where I have been playing it for months! :lol

No 4p though.

Shard, tell them to get on it already with putting out Peggle. Thanks.

 

[Shard]

Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures Interview

http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/wallace_gromits_grand_adventures/preview-1528.html

 

[FightyF]

It doesn't help that PSN has got Flower and Noby Noby Boy recently and we're getting ... what we've been getting.

Death Tank is seriously better than those two games combined from a fun standpoint. Both of those are great experiences, and so if you were meaning that, then I'd agree. Not many "experiences" on XBLA.

But seriously neither of those games offer rowdy good old fashioned fun.

Despite the fact that I already have Quake 3 on Steam, the modded Freeware version of Arena, and the existence of that free Quake 3 as well.

I'd still buy Quake 3 XBLA because I might actually have some chance of getting some kills.

I signed up for Quake Live the PC browser version of Quake, and I too own all the Quake games on PC...so the only thing that would get me to buy the XBLA version at this point is 4P splitscreen support. It could be a really, really good splitscreen LAN game for the 360.

 

[Arpharmd B]

We've got alot of great games lately IDK why anyone would complain.

R-Type, Maw, Meteos, Exit 2 just in the last few months.

Then in April the be all end all XBLA game VO:OT HD drops. Quit whining.

 

[SapientWolf]

I wish they had a puzzler category. Poker Smash doesn't get nearly as much love as it deserves (mad props to dcard).

XBLA is about to be pumped full of red hot awesome. The splash page for Dishwasher just went up and Rocket Riot had to have passed cert by now. Plus there was the Virtual On announcement for April, and Marvel vs Capcom 2 is bound to be announced sometime soon. I just hope MS has something big planned for the summer drought.