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MX vs. ATV comes Alive in May
THQ's MX vs. ATV Alive was finally made official today, as the publisher announced that the experimental off-road racer will be released this May for $40 on PS3 and Xbox 360. It's experimental, by the way, because this is THQ's long-discussed first "hybrid" game, with a "budget" disc price accompanied by an "unprecedented digital content distribution strategy" -- basically, there will be a bunch of DLC at launch and beyond. Shake off all those thoughts of business models and content strategies, and then head past the break for a teaser featuring lots of wheels on dirt -- and, apparently, lots of Gatorade spilling out of racers.%Gallery-114621%
THQ lays off 60, focuses Juice Games, Rainbow Studios on downloads
THQ announced a bit of restructuring today, which means, sadly, layoffs. The publisher announced that it's refocusing Juiced developer Juice Games and MX vs. ATV/Deadly Creatures developer Rainbow Studios for content intended for digital distribution. The studios will be renamed THQ Digital Studios Warrington and THQ Digital Studios Phoenix, respectively. About 60 total staff are being laid off as part of this restructuring. Juice Games was already subject to layoffs in late 2008. The studios will develop games for "all major digital platforms, including Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, iPhone and iPad" -- so much for WiiWare and DSiWare -- and will also work together on a community platform to be used across THQ's lineup of core games.
Deadly Creatures may have failed, but its tech lives on
Rainbow Studios' Deadly Creatures apparently didn't work out at retail. For whatever reason, the Wii audience just wasn't excited about a game featuring a scorpion and a tarantula having adventures and getting into fights, despite how awesome that premise is.THQ CEO Brian Farrell, however, isn't dwelling on the sales or declaring no more Wii development. He offered a surprisingly positive outlook on the situation in an interview with G4's Feed. "... we have great Wii technology there now and so we're developing other games -- stay tuned for the announcements," he said, "but we intend to leverage that great technology on the Wii in the future."Having a well-designed Wii engine is good news indeed, especially since Deadly Creatures was a pretty nice-looking game (well, actually it was disgusting, but in a technically impressive way).
THQ getting physical with MX vs. ATV Reflex
A racing redefinition with revolutionary rhythm racing physics. That alliterative nightmare was brought to you by MX vs. ATV Reflex, THQ's newest racer from Rainbow Studios and just the latest to make us swallow our tongues. Set to peel off the starting blocks this holiday season, the game is currently in development for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP and DS.The series' fourth entry since 2005's MX vs. ATV Unleashed, Reflex will boast real-time terrain deformation and a new "dual-stick" control scheme that "separates man from machine." Additionally, THQ notes that the off-road sequel will introduce a new Rhythm Racing physics engine. But don't be fooled like we were. Sadly, the tech is named for getting players into the "rhythm of a race" rather than any sort of mid-race musical throw down.
How Rainbow Studios thought up Deadly Creatures
We like to think the pitch meeting for Deadly Creatures likely involved tossing spiders and scorpions onto the publisher's desk and watching people squirm until a contract was signed. And while this tactic might have worked, developer Rainbow Studios tells Gamasutra that THQ was "really receptive" to the idea, which interestingly owes its concept to a dream had by lead dev Jordan Itkowitz the night before. Deadly Creatures is something of an odd fit for a console that has earned its reputation for family-friendly diversions and dart-throwing contests. Still, Itkowitz notes that despite developing the game as a Wii-exclusive, the team "didn't want to dumb it down or kiddy it up too much." He admits, however, that avoiding making the game so violent that it turned away parents and youngsters was a "big challenge." After all, we wouldn't want casual players' sanguine Wii experience tainted with bug guts.
Deadly Creatures infest North America February 9
THQ has (finally) announced what we hope is the real North American release date for Rainbow Studios' action-adventure game Deadly Creatures. The game, which stars a scorpion and a tarantula, and features Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Hopper in supporting roles, will be on store shelves February 9. Probably. At this point, no matter when it actually shows up, we'll be surprised to see it in the real world!Strange that THQ picked a release date within just a few weeks (or the same day, in some cases) of Dead Rising, Onechanbara, Tenchu: Shadow Assassins, Rygar, House of the Dead: Overkill and basically every other action game ever.%Gallery-16331%
Deadly Creatures attack in new screens
THQ has treated us to another round of screens of Deadly Creatures doing their thing (their thing being: appearing deadly). If we were to evaluate these shots on their ability to make our skin crawl, we can safely say they're a success. Well done, Rainbow Studios!There's also something we haven't seen a lot of in Deadly Creatures media so far: humans. We knew they were always going to be there -- Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Hopper obviously weren't brought in to play the role of a scorpion or something -- but this is the first time we've seen much of them. The role of humans in Deadly Creatures? To be watched. Eek.%Gallery-16331%
Looking at Deadly Creatures with Billy Bob Thornton
We previously heard from Dennis Hopper on his carefully PR-vetted opinions of THQ's Deadly Creatures. Now the company has released a behind-the-scenes interview with that guy from Hearts Afire, Hopper's partner in stunt casting. "Billy Bob Thorton" (as he's introduced in this video) states that he's impressed with how the game looks, proving that yes, it is possible for Wii graphics to be impressive (to Billy Bob Thornton). He likens the interactions between the cree-ee-eepy crawlers in the game to two actors in a Western, which is actually pretty dang cool. In the clip, you can also hear Thornton's character voice for the game, for which he somehow managed to affect a more gravelly tone.After the break, two gameplay videos! After watching them, we totally agree with Mr. Bob Thornton.%Gallery-16331%
Deadly Creatures developer 'back to minigames' if game doesn't sell
It's tough being a developer at Rainbows Studio right now, and not just because your rivals are insinuating things about your game. Jordan Itkowitz, lead designer on the allegedly not-that-original Deadly Creatures, is desperate for his game to sell well. If it flops, as many third-party "core" games have to date, it could mean he goes "back to minigames." Says Itkowitz to MTV's Multiplayer blog: "I hope people vote with their dollars in February so we can make some more."Well, us too, Jordan. Now, let's all take a moment to dwell on what a bleak, bleak statement this makes about the current state of the Wii software market.%Gallery-16331%
Oh snap! Mushroom Men dev has Deadly words
In an interview with MTV Multiplayer, Dan Borth, lead developer on Red Fly Studio's Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars, offers his thoughts on the market for "core" Wii games, his own game's chances on a system dominated by Wii Fit and such, and designing a game to be accessible to a wide and varied audience.Oh, and he calls out Deadly Creatures. When asked if he's familiar with Rainbow Studios' critter-based brawler, Borth responded with: "I have heard about Deadly Creatures. I have many opinions on that game, especially how it came into being right after THQ received our pitch document for Mushroom Men. I will let you draw your own conclusions."We can't say if there really was any such malevolent behavior behind the conception of Deadly Creatures, but oh snap just the same. And while we may not have seen a parallel before, now that he mentions it, they're both 3D action/fighting games about small creatures adventuring, unseen, in the human world. But we still think Creatures could turn out awesome.%Gallery-18243%
THQ, Gamebryo vets launch Azo Studios
We look on in anticipation and give a collective "awww" as 2009's newest game company pecks its way out of its shell. Going by the name of Azo Studios, the fledgling outfit was founded by a trio of game industry professionals with intentions of creating games and middleware solutions for consoles, PCs and handhelds. Among those responsible for the company are Dave Eberly, recognized as the driving force behind NetImmerse, technology that eventually went on to become Gamebryo, the engine used in developing such games as Fallout 3 and Warhammer Online. Eberly is joined by former THQ and Rainbow Studios vets Nick Koziupa and Brian Westergaard, and while Azo Studios has yet to talk specifics, the company notes that it plans to develop original properties as well as work with partners in the music and entertainment industries. We wish you well, little bird, and hope as you leave the nest to spread your wings you take flight, and don't smash your beak on the ground below.
Deadly Creatures devs spent time handling and eating insects
Developers usually go through a lot before a game is completed. Aside from the hell of "crunch time," there's tons of research that goes into crafting this game world they set out to create. Well, the folks at Rainbow Studios, the THQ-owned development house behind Deadly Creatures, went through a bit more in creating their game. They turned to the deadly creatures of the Arizona desert to aid them in their quest.The developers regularly handled scorpions and spiders, bringing them into the office and studying them. One developer was even stung by a scorpion! But, it wasn't all about handling these deadly creatures. In fact, the crew even consumed some."We found a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix that serves Chapulinas, which are fried grasshoppers," said lead designer Jordan Itkowitz. "Chapulinas are kind of nutty, kind of crunchy. Better than giant Thai water beetles but not as good as fried mealworm larvae. Yes, this is speaking from experience... It was so we could really get into our characters' heads." Frankly, if we were going to be asked to eat bugs as part of our job, we'd probably want to get paid a lot more than we imagine these folks make.%Gallery-16331%
Billy Bob Thornton, Dennis Hopper join cast of Deadly Creatures on Wii
In news of the weird getting weirder, THQ has announced that actors Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade) and Dennis Hopper (Blue Velvet, lots of stuff where he plays a creepy guy) will voice the two lead two human characters in its Wii-exclusive Deadly Creatures."The scorpion and tarantula are like two actors meeting up for a gun fight," Thornton said in a press release. The release makes no mention of whether Mr. Thorton or Mr. Hopper have actually seen the game, but the latter said of it: "Gamers are really going to love Deadly Creatures." We'll love it more if you promise not to huff nitrous and call us "mommy," sir.[Correction: Thornton and Hopper will voice two human antagonists in the game, not the bugs. But they are antagonists.]
Billy Bob Thornton, Dennis Hopper are Deadly Creatures
Click image for more screens It looks like THQ is throwing the big bucks at the oft-delayed Deadly Creatures. At least, we assume hiring Dennis Hopper and Billy Bob Thornton for a spot of voice-acting isn't cheap, particularly considering the pair aren't short on acting gongs. Sadly, contrary to our expertly 'shopped post image, they'll be playing human characters, a missed opportunity if ever we saw one.Hopper and Thornton's involvement is old news, but the behind-the-scenes trailer featuring Hopper lending the game some necessary gravitas is new -- head past the break to see it!%Gallery-16331%
Slow-acting venom: Deadly Creatures delayed
When it was first announced back in February, Rainbow Studios' Deadly Creatures seemed poised to be one of the most 'hardcore' action titles in 2008's Wii lineup. Now, we're quickly expending our supply of 2008, with nary a Deadly Creature to be found. This Halloween, on one of the game's planned release dates, THQ set their sights on December. Now that's been pushed back to February 2009. As usual, the endless delays only drive our desire to play a game about a scorpion and tarantula who follow criminals around. And maybe the extra development time will mean we're less disappointed with what now looks to be one of the most 'hardcore' action titles in 2009's Wii lineup.%Gallery-16331%
Deadly Creatures' beautifully grotesque trailer
Why does one of the most visually impressive Wii games also have to be one of the most disgusting as well? This trailer for Deadly Creatures demonstrates beyond a doubt that the Wii definitely outpaces its predecessor, the GameCube, in realistic rendering of a spider crawling inside a dead deer's mouth.The setting is unique, and the fighting -- which is the focus of this trailer -- looks like quite a bit of fun, but it's going to be hard to show off the graphical prowess of Rainbow Studios when said prowess is employed in the depiction of a tarantula murdering adorable lizards. Does it even count as video game violence when it's the kind of stuff seen on a nature show? Although we don't remember seeing a scorpion tearing the wings off of a dragonfly in a move that looks like it was inspired by pro wrestling. We'd probably remember something like that.%Gallery-16331%
Deadly Creatures almost ready to strike
Remember Deadly Creatures, the game about a tarantula and scorpion who, uh, fight stuff and go on adventures? It seems like it's been forever since we heard about Rainbow Studios' creepy project. Apparently, THQ was planning on a Halloween release, but then Halloween turned out to be today, which is far too soon.The good news is that Deadly Creatures is finally finished, with a December release planned. Rainbow Studios has used the extra time to refine the camera and the combat systems. Now, the A button is a jab of sorts, with heavier moves assigned to motions."In this way, the gestures act as the exclamation point at the end of the sentence." This sounds like a subtle revision of the No More Heroes-like system we last heard about.The IGN preview also discusses the two human characters, played by Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Hopper, whose paths the animal protagonists happen to follow; their story is basically overheard as we go about our arach-nasty business.
Rumor: Layoffs at THQ's Rainbow Studios and Sandblast Games
Gamasutra sources indicate that publisher THQ has laid off staff at two of its internal studios: Sandblast Games , currently creating Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon, and Rainbow Studios, currently working on the Wii-exclusive Deadly Creatures (potentially related sidenote: early last month several Rainbow Studios vets left to form their very own TimeFly Studios). Both developers will apparently continue work on their existing projects.THQ has been making changes of late, killing several key franchises like Juiced and Stuntman, nabbing some new execs, and evidently those changes extend to their studios as well. With over a dozen development houses under its belt, if this rumor is true, it may not be the last round of layoffs out of THQ.
IGN goes hands-on with Deadly Creatures, survives
Deadly Creatures seems to be marketed as a kind of nature-survival-horror thing, but it's closer to the "quirky" territory that we love, being an action-platformer about non-cutesy, non-personified insects. IGN's Matt Casamassina playtested Rainbow Studios' bizarre game, taking away some details about the scorpion's controls.The scorpion's pincers are controlled with the Z and B buttons, and are capable of combo attacks. A locks on to enemies, and C puts the scorpion into a blocking stance (do scorpions have blocking stances?) The Z and B buttons also activate finishing moves, which are carried out through Wiimote and Nunchuk motions -- No More Heroes is already exerting influence! The scorpion learns further motion-controlled moves along the way, as well.
MX vs. ATV vets form Timefly Studios
They say when one tree falls, another pushes up from the soil to take its place, a circle of life that's mirrored today with the establishment of Arizona-based developer TimeFly Studios, a developer committed to creating games based on both licensed and original properties. The company is licensed developer for Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, and while no specific projects have yet been announced from the fledgling company, the studio notes that it will focus on the action/adventure, rhythm, and puzzle game genres. Noticeably absent from that list are racing games, interesting given that TimeFly Studios was founded by former Rainbow Studios vets Brad Ruminer, Dennis Booth, and Glenn O'Bannon, each of whom have left their fingerprints on such titles as MX vs. ATV and Cars. While we continue to wait to see what kind of fruit comes of this new tree, we'll just sit here and play Splashdown, another of the trio's creations, and imagine racing watercraft down the river Charente.
