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Darwinia, Defcon dev hints at console releases
Introvervision co-founder Mark Morris has told Next Generation that the company is looking into bringing a few of their titles to the home console front by way of digital distribution.Morris explained that their relationship so far with the console makers has allowed them to retain intellectual freedom in their design. Unlike publishers who try to give them money at the cost of some control of the game, the console makers are "just offering massive distribution of the games and to give [us] a return back on that. That works for us," he said.For what system and which titles is unknown -- all three of the current systems (PS3, Wii and Xbox 360) are capable of digital distribution. Morris said the game(s) would be available within the next twelve months. An earlier rumor from eight months ago suggest a partnership with Xbox Live, which makes since considering the recent Vista upgrade of Darwinia and the similarities in architecture from Windows to Xbox 360 development.Introversion is responsible for Darwinia, DEFCON, and Uplink. They are currently working on a project codenamed Subversion.[Thanks, Sam!]
Darwinia upgrades for Vista
Introversion, the little game maker whose project Darwinia garnered them cult status, has just released an enhanced version specifically for Windows Vista. The upgrade has been in the making since June 2006, according to Introversion co-founder Chris Delay. Upgrades include: Shift from OpenGL to DirectX, which enable enhanced visuals such as "screen warping explosion effects, reflective water, and Darwinian soul 'auras.'" Support for the Xbox 360 controller Three new levels: Jailbreak, Stronghold and Doomsday Other Vista-centric compatibility features Those who already own Darwinia can expect an upcoming patch that adds all the enhancements. For those that want to try out the game (and we wholly recommend that you do), Darwinia has been given a prominent purchase location MSN Vista games page for $19.95.Introversion is currently working on a double secret title codenamed Subversion.[Via CVG]
Defcon dev announces new game: Subversion
Introversion, creator of indie darlings Darwinia and DEFCON, have announced their next project will be called Subversion. Company co-founder Chris Delay made the announcement earlier last week, noting that the project is early in production and the development will be blogged.Understanding that many developers fall into the trap where hype leads to disappointment, Delay assures that he will make no promises as to final features and game play details. As another point, Delay points out that the attached images, including the one to the right, is not a representation of the game and anyone who treats the screenshots as such are mistaken. You've been warned.[Via videogames blogger]
Darwinia and Uplink coming to the PS3?
If you've played either Uplink or Darwinia, then you're familiar with, and more than likely love, UK-based developer Introversion. It seems the indie studio has been in talks recently with both Microsoft and Sony to bring its content to each respective company's online arena. "I'm afraid I can't really give you any concrete details at the moment - suffice it is to say that we are currently discussing a number of deal negotiations with Sony and Microsoft," said Introversion's Vicky Arundel while talking with UK-based games site Eurogamer. Given that the company has experience with digital distribution, having released their beloved game Darwinia via Valve's Steam service, the company is a natural fit for each company's service. The question is, will Microsoft try and throw money at the guys to gain exclusivity for their games on the Xbox Live service?
Rumor: Indie darling Darwinia to hit XBLA?
In some leftover scuttlebutt from GDC, word on the street is that the bad boys from Introversion, the independent developers that created indie-darling (and Independent Games Festival winner) Darwinia are working with the big boys in Redmond to get their game on the Xbox Live Arcade platform. Reasons why this is a logical move and a likely rumor: They've already gotten Darwinia on that other major digital distribution network (psst: it begins with "Stea" and ends with "m". Got it?) Uh, they've said they're interested. We know, everyone's interested. Fellow Steam-distributed developers Ritual Entertainment keep screaming about it, but they've got that whole enormous download thing to deal with. The XBLArcade blog points us to this video (.wmv) of SpikeTV's GameHead where Introversion's Mark Morris says, "... it's about 30 megs which makes it perfect for things like Live Arcade." CliffyB asks if they're planning on it and Morris responds, "I'm gonna try. Gonna talk to Microsoft and see what they say." XBLArcade correctly points out that if the developers of an award-winning and critically acclaimed independent game want to bring it to your platform, what do you say? Well, according to German blog Xbox Archiv, you say "Yes. Please." They claim to have overheard a conversation at GDC between the two parties. Let's hope that logic wins the day and we get another stellar entrant to Microsoft's walled-garden of Arcade treats.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]Read - XBLArcade Rumor RoundupRead - Darwinia for Xbox Live Arcade (Xbox Archiv machine translation)
Darwinia to evolve on XBLA
According to the German blog Xbox Archiv, Microsoft and Introversion Software are in negotiations to bring the highly regarded PC title Darwinia to Xbox Live Arcade. Apparently, they got the info directly from MS (Deutsch speakers please provide a respectable translation). It's by no means a done deal, but let's hope it happens. This stylish budget RTS/puzzler was widely praised last August for it's cool art design, addictive gameplay and general retro appeal -- all the stuff that makes a great XBLA game.[Thanks Papa Moll]
Heard@GDC: Darwinia creator slams publishers, developers cheer!
Upon winning the $20,000 Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the 2006 Independent Games Festival, one of the creators of Darwinia said, "We didn't take money from publishers because we didn't want publishers to fuck with our game."Deafening applause. Thunderous.
GDC: Dar-win-ia a success at IGF
The results of the 2006 Independent Games Festival are in, and it's hats off to Darwinia. Scooping the Seumas McNally Grand Prize as well as the awards for Innovation in Visual Art and Technical Excellence, this leaves British-based Introversion's next game with a tough act to follow.Other winners at the festival were:Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space (Innovation in Audio)Braid (Innovation in Game Design)Dad 'n Me (Best Web Browser Game)Dodge That Anvil! (Adult Swim Award)Dofus (Audience Award)The IGF also featured a modding competition for the first time, with four winners: Dystopia for Half-Life 2; Last Man Standing Co-op for Doom 3; Rose of Eternity - Chapter 1 - The Coming for Neverwinter Nights and Path of Vengeance for UT2004.
Indie games finalists playable now
The Independent Games Festival finalists encompass a wide range of genres, ranging from MMO Dofus to simulation Wildlife Tycoon and perennial favourite Darwinia. Their fate is now in your hands--demos of all the finalists are available for download, and you can vote in the Audience's Award for your chosen game.According to Gamasutra, this is the first time many of these games have been available for download. These demo offerings provide a good way to experience the range of creativity on offer, and at a killer price.
