space invaders
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'Space Invaders' movie is closer to becoming a reality
Warner Bros. bought the movie rights to Space Invaders years ago, and now it looks ready to do something with the classic alien-blasting franchise. Deadline reports that Warner's New Line Cinema is advancing production on the film, with Mortal Kombat reboot writer Greg Russo handling the script. There's no release window yet, although the lack of detail suggests you'll be waiting a while.
Space shooters Ultratron, Titan Attacks flying to new platforms
Curve Digital will publish two of Puppy Games' arcade-style space shooters on new platforms: Ultratron and Titan Attacks. Ultratron will reach PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Wii U and Vita early next year, and features twin-stick "arena shooter action." As for the Space Invaders-like Titan Attacks, Curve will distribute the game on 3DS in early 2015 as well. Titan Attacks launched on PlayStation systems earlier this year. Ultratron arrived on Steam in March 2013 and is considered a "throwback" to Vid Kidz' 1982 arcade shooter, Robotron. The game features a "full upgrade system" and adaptive difficulty settings. Ultratron will be Cross-Buy-enabled on PlayStation systems, and is expected to launch in the same week on Wii U and Xbox One. Head past the break to check out a trailer of the game's PC version. [Image: Puppy Games]
Fire in the hole is a blast for some
Fire in the hole (free) is an arcade-style game similar to Space Invaders, featuring 8-bit graphics and a retro soundtrack. The controls are easy to pick up. You control when to shoot a bomb from the cannon that moves side-to-side at the bottom of the screen and when to explode that bomb to take down the pirates that are coming down from the top of the screen. Fire in the hole is compatible with all iOS devices running iOS 7.0 or later. The game's mechanics are a recipe for addictive gameplay, but it can feel repetitive and unnecessarily difficult. Not having control over the cannon is awkward, and even though it brings a unique challenge, it doesn't help the game's repetitive nature. The enemies also follow a random pattern when they float down from the top of the screen which makes it extremely difficult to judge when and at what point to launch the bombs let alone when to explode them. Another annoyance is that there is no way to pause the action, so once you start playing you're committed. Also, a full-screen ad that appears at the end of a game is difficult to dismiss without accidentally tapping it. Players can change the overall look of fire in the hole with "style points" won from getting different types of hits on the pirate ships to buy different bomb, enemy, cannon, and pet sprites in the style store to replace the ones currently in the game. One cool touch in the art style is the shadows of the sea creatures. Occasionally, you can see a giant squid or a sea turtle swimming in the water. This adds more movement and makes the game feel more alive. The music is somewhat calming, which contrasts nicely with the action of the gameplay. Fire in the hole is free on the App Store and recommended for those looking for a challenging arcade-style game and don't mind the repetitive nature.
Take me to your theater - Space Invaders movie in works
Reminder: nothing from your childhood is safe from the clutches of the modern film industry. But just in case 2012's Battleship didn't already convince you of that, how about a movie based on Space Invaders? TheWrap reports that Warner Bros. has secured the rights to produce a film version of the 1978 arcade classic, and has already drawn in producers Akiva Goldsman, Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell. Goldsman is arguably the highest-profile name here, as he's already helped produce films like A Beautiful Mind. Then again, he is also credited as a producer on films like 1998's Lost in Space which ... well, it certainly was a movie. Moving pictures and everything. Other details regarding the production are currently lacking, but still, this news concerns us. After all, forget epic tales of wizards, halfling adventurers and/or other things you like, how will a cast and crew be able to condense the lore of Space Invaders into a single sitting? We don't envy you, Hollywood. [Image: Atari]
Video to board games: WoW Trivial Pursuit, Skylanders Monopoly, more
USAopoly has a lineup of new board games for the American International Toy Fair in New York City on February 10, including the following ones based on video game franchsies: Monopoly: Skylanders, Risk: Mass Effect Galaxy at War Edition, Risk: Plants vs. Zombies, Yahtzee: Pac-Man Collector's Edition, Jenga: Space Invaders Collector's Edition, Trivial Pursuit: World of Warcraft and Clue: Dungeons and Dragons.Risk: Mass Effect tops the price points at $50, with Trivial Pursuit: WoW and Yahtzee: Pac-Man the cheapest at $25 each. Monopoly: Skylanders, Yahtzee: Pac-Man and Jenga: Space Invaders hit this summer; Trivial Pursuit: WoW, Risk: Plants vs. Zombies and Risk: Mass Effect launch in the fall, and Clue: Dungeons and Dragons comes in the spring.When you get bored of gaming on a screen, maybe give board gaming a try (it's totally different; we promise).
Space Invaders hub site invades your browser space
Square Enix has launched a site that conveniently rounds up licensed Space Invaders merchandise for you to buy (like the above "space hopper") – and even gives you licensing contact information if you want to make more.The site will also serve as a news hub about the series and offer links to recent games, including Space Invaders Infinity Gene and the honorary Space Invaders game Groove Coaster. Mostly, we're excited for the potential: If Square Enix cares enough about Space Invaders to continue promoting the series, maybe it cares enough to continue the series. Have we mentioned lately how cool Space Invaders Extreme was?
Blake Patterson's Byte Cellar: the ultimate man cave for aspiring geeks
Apple IIGS? Of course. Commodore 64C? You betcha. NeXTstation Turbo Color? Booyah! These three classics are just part of Blake Patterson's tricked-out technology den that's known as the Byte Cellar -- and yes, we're seething with jealousy. Take notes, folks, because this is how it's done. In all, the Byte Cellar currently plays home to 69 computers, video game consoles, PDA's and other noteworthy gadgets. Need to switch between the Atari and the Amiga? Not a problem, as each system is thoughtfully laid out on a workbench that allows one to easily scoot between rigs. Even the walls bleed vintage cred with a Space Invaders motif, rare posters and hardware components from bygone eras. Be sure to take it all in with a panorama photo that's been linked up below, along with a complete list of the equipment currently in Blake's collection. Regardless of whether you agree with his taste in hardware, one thing is for certain: the man must go through a lot of compressed air.
Taito InvaderCade for iPad brings invasive price tag (video)
Sure, Taito is a veritable grandfather of the arcade world, but ¥15,800 ($209) for a nostalgic iPad Space Invaders box with one lonely einzelkind fire button? Atari also has some standing in this business and its worthy alternative costs just $60, while even the genre-founding iCade now seems a bargain at $100. Anyways, check out the video after the break to see an old Japanese bloke waiting patiently for his refund.
Taito is making its own iPad arcade cabinet
First ThinkGeek's iCade went from joke concept to real product, then Atari introduced its own iPad gaming controller. Now Taito, maker of legendary video game Space Invaders, is joining the fray with the InvaderCade. GameSetWatch reports the cabinet has only a single button and a ball-top joystick for controls, but the InvaderCade also serves as a charging dock with stereo speakers and a headphone jack. The InvaderCade is coming to Japan on October 11 -- no word on a US release as of yet -- and its launch price in Japan will be around US$205. It'll be interesting to see if the InvaderCade actually catches on at that price and with single-game branding on the cabinet itself. The iCade costs less than half as much as the InvaderCade, while Atari's joystick accessory is cheaper still at $60. Both products feature more buttons and less specific branding than the InvaderCade, so Taito may have trouble justifying the product's higher price.
Mini Space Invaders arcade cabinet big on nostalgia, small in size
Always wanted an 80's arcade cabinet for your living room, but the square footage in your studio apartment won't cooperate with your gaming plans? Well, a master mini craftsman has created a seven-inch replica of Space Invaders that can fit on your desktop, coffee table, or bedside stand. It was cobbled together using the guts of a Game Boy Advance, some lilliputian controls, and a custom cabinet coated in shrunken decals that's made of medium density fiberboard. Best of all, thanks to those Nintendo internals, there's an entire arcade's worth of games at your tiny fingertips. Between this and its diminutive Donkey Kong cousin, perhaps mini arcade cabinets are the future of gaming. Video of the little gem in action is after the break.
Hollywood officially out of ideas, options movie rights for 'Space Invaders'
Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Gigi Pritzker, two producers who, collectively, are responsible for both The Wedding Planner and all three Transformers films, have secured the rights to produce a movie based on Taito's classic Space Invaders. When asked why movie rights for Space Invaders would even exist, the entire human population of Earth crumbled into exasperated, bewildered piles of dust. We first caught wind of a potential Space Invaders adaptation in a report by the L.A. Times last year, however it's unclear whether or not di Bonaventura's Space Invaders and Warner Bros.'s Space Invaders are one-in-the-same. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the pair have begun the process of finding a writer to pen the script, which we can only assume will have very little to do with space/invaders, and everything to do with Shia LaBeouf.
'Space invaders in Real Life' is exactly that
What would you do if you woke up one day and suddenly discovered invaders, from space -- Space Invaders, if you will -- totally all up in your planet? You'd put those sick gaming skillz to work, right?
Kinect Hacks: Invade space to control Space Invaders
Space Invaders is a classic arcade title, presenting a simple premise and an almost infinite progression system. But there's just one thing needed to make it perfect. According to coder Derrgis, who created this version for the ElectroShock Festival, it's motion controls with Kinect.
The Perfect Ten: MMO cataclysms
Today sees the launch of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, which represents a destructive "reboot" button on the world of Azeroth. The old has been made new by virtue of fiery explosions that have rent the very earth in twain, and WoW gamers will have to find their footing all over again. As you might imagine, it's made one big-ass mess, which is compounded by the fact that there are no janitor classes in the game to sweep it up (the next hero class, perhaps?). However, the notion of an in-game cataclysm is hardly the sole domain of Activision-Blizzard; on the contrary, large-scale apocalypses pop up all the time in MMOs. After all, nothing grabs the attention like the end of the world (but hey, you still feel fine)! In a list that in no way is meant to capitalize on any expansions that may or may not be on the market, we're going to strap on our Kevlar suits, slather our arms with 1000 SPF sunblock, and take a brief tour of 10 worlds that have dated cataclysms -- and lived to tell the tale.
The Daily Grind: What Atari 2600 game would you like to see as an MMO?
For many of us old school gamers, the Atari 2600 was the first gaming console on which we cut our teeth -- literally. Mom said that chewing the wood panel sides would cause splinters, but oh! How good it did taste! Of course, there were games on the system to be enjoyed as well, and many of us have fond memories of plugging away at Space Invaders, jumping the crocodiles in Pitfall, running from Evil Otto in Berzerk, and assembling the phone in E.T. OK, I lied, nobody has fond memories of E.T. Still, Atari 2600 titles (and other games from that era) had a certain bizarre lunacy to them and a charm that couldn't be denied. Perhaps this is why they endure through retro gaming to this day. Engage with us on a flight of fancy, then, and tell us: What Atari 2600 game would make for a fine -- or, heck, interesting -- MMO? Would it be the thrilling vistas of Adventure? The heated PvP battlegrounds of Warlords? The fruit-stained corridors of Pac-Man? Or even the elegant simplicity of Combat?
Space Invaders landing on iPad today
So you just spent $600 on an iPad. How better to show off the capabilities of your state-of-the-art gadget than with ... Space Invaders? Taito released an iPad version (for $5) of its iPhone Space Invaders app worldwide -- and thanks to common iPad naming conventions, Taito thought it was a good idea to call it Space Invaders HD. The iPad game offers, of course, a larger-scale presentation of both the 1978 game and Space Invaders Part II, as well as some promotional flyers and other vintage artifacts. It also has a rather cool new feature: a two-player mode that flips the screen so that players sitting across from one another can take turns. It's modeled on the classic cocktail-style arcade machines, and Taito even went so far as to demonstrate the game on iPads sitting on those arcade machines at an event in Japan.
Real life snowboarding meets old-school gaming in 'Gnarcade'
Our knowledge of the fast-paced, edgy world of extreme sports is limited to "standing on moving, thin slivers of wood is really difficult," though we don't need to know much more than that to appreciate the gaming-influenced video posted below.
TUAW's Daily App: Space Invaders Business Cards
The Taito Corporation is the Japanese developer that owns the Space Invaders franchise, and they have done something pretty crazy with the App Store. They've released a series of completely free, Space Invaders-branded apps, most of which have nothing to do with the game at all. There's the Space Invaders Timer, the Space Invaders Calculator, and even the Space Invaders Flashlight. It's pretty bizarre, although all of the apps are free, so it's probably not worth questioning -- if you're a Space Invaders fan and wish your normal utility apps had a little pixelated alien feel, you've hit the jackpot. The real winner, though, is the Space Invaders Business Card app. This is a free app that lets you create a virtual business card, that you can even trade across with friends on other phones via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, traded cards only go to the business card album inside the app (unlike Bump, for example, it won't go into your main Contacts app), but once they're in there, you can call out and email directly from the app itself. Especially considering, again, that the app is free, it's a fun little utility that might come in handy, especially if more and more people use it. No idea why Taito has gone nuts creating these little utilities, but free's free, download away.
TUAW's Daily App: Invaders World Tour
Just one look at the screenshot tells you what you're dealing with in Invaders World Tour: invaders, of the space kind. The game is a really well-done Space Invaders clone, with colorful graphics, an interesting tilt-to-move mechanic, and power-ups to help you take out the invading menace. The game just got overhauled, too; it now boasts OpenFeint integration, new graphics and mini games, new enemies, and lots more. At just 99 cents, it's a steal for retro arcade fans. If you want to try a free title, you can give Invaders World Tour USA a shot; it won't have all of the shiny new features of the main game, but it's essentially the main gameplay in a free trial version. Either way, there's fun to be had here, so go grab the free app, or pay the buck for more.
Space Invaders Infinity Gene XBLA, PSN versions confirmed
According to Siliconera, the latest issue of Famitsu confirms what a source (and the OFLC ratings board) told Joystiq: Taito's ever-adapting shooter, Space Invaders Infinity Gene, is being released on Xbox 360 and PS3. The game appears in the magazine's table of contents. Additionally, 1UP reports that other Japanese game magazines have confirmed the Infinity Gene console release, which is said to be a downloadable port of the iPhone game for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. Even if it's just a direct port, we relish the opportunity to play this already-great game without covering up any of the screen with a big fat finger.
