marvelous-aql
Latest
Skullgirls PC moving forward through new deal with Marvelous AQL
Development of the long-awaited PC version of indie fighter Skullgirls is set to begin in "the coming weeks," thanks to a funding/publishing deal between existing publisher Autumn Games and Japanese publisher Marvelous AQL.The agreement, which is in its "final stages" according to Peter Bartholow, CEO of developer Lab Zero Games, will allow Skullgirls to be ported to the PC with "expanded multiplayer functionality" as compared to the console version. Bartholow expects the porting process to take "around four months" to complete, with more information regarding the port's new features, as well as details on a public beta, to follow as development progresses.Meanwhile, Skullgirls' quest to raise the most money for breast cancer research (and therefore become the eighth official EVO 2013 selection) continues. Limited edition posters (left) are now available for pre-order, with 50 percent of all sales going directly to the fundraiser.
Report: Checkpoint sues Marvelous AQL, claiming 'hostile takeover' plan
Game studio Checkpoint has filed suit against Marvelous AQL, claiming that the Japanese publisher attempted to take over Checkpoint in an effort to avoid a $2.5 million payout. The suit names Marvelous, XSEED, a former Checkpoint employee, and others on breach of contract, theft of trade secrets, and more.According to Gamasutra's summary of the case, Marvelous made a deal in 2011 through which it would pay $2.5 million in exchange for 35 percent of Checkpoint and two shipped games. Following the release of those two games, AviNation and Party Politics, the two companies planned a similar $2.5 million arrangement for two more games.However, Checkpoint CEO Brian Wiklem alleged in the suit that chief technical officer Christopher Masterton, owner of 24 percent of Checkpoint, met with Marvelous to sell his own shares and give Marvelous control of the company without Wiklem's consent. Marvelous then hired Masterton and 14 other Checkpoint staffers to work at XSEED. Masterton is now technical lead.Furthermore, the suit claims, the former Checkpoint staff are now using Checkpoint tech at XSEED, and Masterton refuses to hand over the logins for Checkpoint's Facebook page and other accounts. We've asked MAQL for comment.
Last Story designer: Wii U controller will enhance JRPG strategizing
The Last Story lead designer Takuya Matsumoto believes the Wii U has potential for role-playing games, partly for organizational reasons. "I feel that the Wii U's interface, as with other tablet devices, works best for browsing and arranging information," he told Siliconera.All right, maybe "browsing and arranging information" isn't the most exciting-sounding use of the WiiPad, but it sounds much more interesting in RPG-specific terms. "One merit is the ability to use a touch screen to directly manipulate information, such as looking up a monster's weak point or, like with a car's GPS, as a tool to understand battlefield conditions on a sub screen," Matsumoto explained. "This special feature will likely bring about opportunities for deep research into JRPG strategy."Matsumoto envisions JRPGs using other Wii U features as well, beyond the touchscreen. "Also, I think that things like saving information gathered during gameplay, adding to your own character's memories and experiences, and sharing with other players via Wi-Fi and the Miiverse will become an experience typical to the Wii U," Matsumoto said. Sharing memories of virtual experiences isn't exactly the first thing we thought of when we saw Miiverse, but it's an interesting idea.
Inafune's 'Soul Sacrifice' coming to Vita in North America and Europe
Western Vita owners won't be exempt from the horrific business of trading their own body parts for magic power. Sony announced plans this morning to localize Soul Sacrifice, the "dark fantasy" action game directed by Keiji Inafune that was previously exclusive to Japan gamers.On the PlayStation Blog, Inafune described his desire to show the "reality" within a fantasy setting. "Cruelty is a reality in our world, and we have to make sacrifices and pay costs on a daily basis," Inafune said, totally bumming us out. "I wanted to blend this 'reality' theme into a fantasy world, one filled with magic, and create a new type of gaming experience that relied on the player making sacrifices in order to obtain great power."And that's why you're able to rip your own spine out of your body and use it as a magical weapon.
Soul Sacrifice is Keiji Inafune's Vita game, features gruesome magic
While Sony's Japan Studio is the only listed name on the teaser video for Soul Sacrifice, a new Famitsu story adds some other names to the roster. Former Capcom exec, current Comcept/Intercept head, and Neptunia mk2 weapon Keiji Inafune is in charge of planning on the Vita game for his company Comcept.That would mean Soul Sacrifice is the Vita game he semi-accidentally announced, and then attempted to unannounce, earlier this year. Inafune is working with developer Marvelous AQL, with composers Yasunori Mitsuda and Wataru Hokoyama providing music.The game allows players to cast powerful magic spells, but requires a payment ("Sacrifice") for each. You can sacrifice objects, but the most powerful spells require you to give up parts of your character's body – in an example given, you give up an eye to summon a Gorgon. The player has been enslaved by a sorcerer, and captured in a small cell, when a demonic book appears that allows the player to experience past magical battles – which you can do with up to four players.Head to Famitsu now to see many, many screenshots and pieces of Comcept concept art.
Marvelous AQL has three games in store for Vita
Marvelous AQL announced some smartphone games yesterday, and Keiji Inafune's King of Pirates for 3DS -- and, though it didn't announce any specifics, it's got some games in store for PlayStation vita as well. During its announcement event, the company showed a slide that said it's working on a "new fantasy RPG," a "new fantasy action RPG," and a "new action adventure." Technically, the Vita Little King's Story involves Marvelous, as it's a Marvelous IP, but it's not clear whether that's one of the three games in question.
No More Heroes for Mobage is a 'social assassination battle' game
No More Heroes for Mobage, an iOS/Android game for the Mobage service, looks an awful lot like No More Heroes, as revealed by the first screens. But it has some rather important differences from the original game -- like, of course, touchscreen controls. NMH for Mobage is a "social assassin battle" with unspecified coop and competitive multiplayer features, a departure from the strictly solo Wii (and later Xbox 360 and PS3) game. The new game is being published by Marvelous AQL. Mobage is starting up in North America -- with some other Grasshopper Manufacture properties, even -- so there's a chance Travis Touchdown will make it to our phones.
Prope invites Buddy Monster to iOS and Android
Yuji Naka's company, Prope, whose most recent game is Fishing Resort for Wii, has a new iOS/Android game on the way in conjunction with the newly merged Marvelous AQL. Buddy Monster sounds like a Monster Hunter sort of thing, with just a dash of Pokemon. Your knight is partnered with a creature, which will help you fight giant monsters in the field, but also requires your care. Taking care of your monster builds a bond between the two of you. Marvelous intends for this to be "the greatest social RPG in history," which we can only take to mean you'll be interacting with other humans, and not just fictional critters.
Keiji Inafune reveals 'King of Pirates,' heading to 3DS in 2012
Ex-Capcom head of production, Keiji Inafune, has yet another pot on the stove. His company, Intercept, announced its next game last night: "King of Pirates" for the Nintendo 3DS, which brings Inafune back into console development (as previously hinted). The game is apparently set on a massive ocean, "where heroes fight for ambition, justice, and their lives," according to a note from Inafune. 4Gamer reports that the game is planned as a trilogy, and features some form of multiplayer. The teaser trailer, however, doesn't go very far in explaining what the game is actually about, though it seems to indicate some form of ship battle game -- the official website describes it as "pirate action adventure." The trailer does let slip some other information, however, such as who's publishing the game, namely Marvelous AQL, makers of the Harvest Moon series. Currently, King of Pirates is only slated for launch in Japan, though we'd be surprised if it didn't end up in other territories eventually. In fact, according to Inafune's own development philosophy, it's almost guaranteed to arrive elsewhere.%Gallery-135800%
