EarthwormJim
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Worm infiltrates computer, disables CPU fan, causes overheating
If you have both cats and dirt you may want to be wary of a new type of worm that's infecting computers across Great Britain -- or computer, anyway. It's called an earthworm, and one of the five-inch variety stealthily found its way into the laptop of one Mark Taylor. He began receiving overheating errors and took his machine to a technician who promptly found the unfortunate invertebrate wedged in the cooling fan, slowly crisping thanks to the system's heat. Taylor thinks one of his cats dug up the worm, brought it inside, and then the poor thing crawled through one of the cooling vents on his notebook to flee its pursuer. We're not sure how it got separated from its ultra-high-tech-indestructible-super-space-cyber-suit, but surely somewhere Queen Slug-for-a-Butt is laughing.[Via Switched]
Dave Perry: Selling Earthworm Jim was the 'dumbest move ever'
Dave Perry has been feeling a twinge of seller's remorse since washing his hands of former platforming icon, Earthworm Jim. More than that, actually, as the Shiny Entertainment founder admits in a recent interview that, in hindsight, selling off the rights to annelid-made-superhero was probably the "dumbest move ever." The outspoken Wii detractor lays the blame for the miscue largely on the industry's transition away from 2D and into the third dimension in the 90s, his animators at the time unwilling to lay down their pencils in favor of the almighty polygon. Of course, the team eventually went on to create the fabulously tongue-in-cheek action epic, MDK. Now, like Perry, we're left to sit and wonder what might have been as we wait for Interplay to push Jim up from the soil once more.
GameTap Thursday: The return of Earthworm Jim
After re-acquiring the rights to many Interplay titles last month, GameTap welcomes the return of several Earthworm Jim games with this week's update. Other titles expected in the future from the Interplay deal are MDK and Fallout. Earthworm Jim (Genesis) - An invertebrate finds a special suit -- action ensues. Earthworm Jim 2 (Genesis) - Bigger, badder and wormier than the original. Earthworm Jim 3D (Windows) - The transition to 3D was not kind on the hero. Earthwo ... Sacred Gold - A Baldur's Gate/Diablo-style game that stood out from the glut of clones based on the aforementioned titles. GameTap's list of free games can be found after the break. This week, arcade classic Burger Time joins the lineup. If you've never played, you'll never turn your back on eggs or sausage again without fearing it's trying to kill you.
Earthworm Jim begins long crawl back to relevance
Earthworm Jim is sort of an anomaly. It's been 13 years since he last starred in a good game, but people still call out for his return. If Kid Icarus had been a good game, he'd be the Pit of the annelid world. Now, after breaking our hearts with the 2007 cancellation of his PSP game, it seems that Jim is finally poised to make his return. Interplay has announced a new deal with original creator Douglas TenNapel to revive Jim. So far, plans reportedly include "an animated series and feature film to expand the well known brand" and, most importantly, Earthworm Jim 4 for unspecified consoles (which we sort of knew about already). As much as we'd like to be excited, after being strung along on Jim's hook for more than a decade, "cautiously optimistic" is the best we can muster.[Via X3F]
Fallout MMO still alive
It's never too late to create an MMO from an already-established franchise. Heck, movies recycle content more and more frequently these days, so why not games? Sometimes we wonder if anyone has had an original idea since 1990, but this time it's a good thing.Remember Interplay? Yeah, they're still alive and kicking. Well, they're alive anyway, and they plan on following through with their original plans to make an MMO based on their highly-successful Fallout series. Not only that, but they also mention plans to create sequels for such successful games as Earthworm Jim, Dark Alliance, Descent, and MDK. You may be aware of the sale of the Fallout name to Bethesda in 2007, who are set to release the single-player Fallout 3 later this year. Part of that business deal was the agreement that Interplay would eventually create a Fallout MMO. Finally, 4 years after the original announcement, it's coming to fruition. Currently Interplay is hiring developers and revamping their website in preparation, so we certainly look forward to what they have in store for us.
Foundation 9 melts together Collective and Shiny into Double Helix
Whatever last remnants of identity clung to by both Shiny and The Collective were lost today as the duo were merged together by owner Foundation 9, creating a new, wholly unfamiliar entity known as Double Helix. Studio head Michael Saxs Persson calls the new name and logo, which were chosen from a pool of employee submissions, a "perfect" match for the company, adding that "making games is in our DNA." The founding follows the initial merger, announced last October, and according to Foundation 9 creates a studio "that is now able to build upon its previous experience to gain new heights in quality and efficiency." And all it cost us was our fond memories of a simpler time spent playing the likes of MDK and Earthworm Jim. While the company remains coy regarding what it's up to currently, today's announcement notes that Double Helix is developing a trio of multi-platform licensed games, one of which we assume to be the already announced Silent Hill V.
Dave Perry honored by Queen's University Belfast
Outspoken developer and former Shiny founder Dave Perry has found himself on the receiving end of an honorary degree by the UK's Queen's University Belfast, to be awarded as part of the school's centenary year celebration this July. While the degree would be equally served for recognizing Perry's unceremonious commentary on the Wii's questionable longevity when compared to the competition, the architect behind MDK and others has instead received a diploma in science engineering for distinction in computer game development and design. Perry shares the honorary spotlight with some distinguished company as well, with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Taioseach Bertie Ahern, actors Joanna Lumley and James Ellis and others filling out the university's honorary graduate list, though we doubt any of those can boast having breathed live into a gun-toting earthworm.
Perry: If Nintendo sees you as a threat, they'll wipe you out
David Perry, who should sound familiar to you Earthworm Jim fans out there, sat down with GamesIndustry.biz to conduct a nice little interview. GI grilled him on all of the current consoles on the market, eventually coming to Nintendo's newest console, the Wii. What Perry had to say, however, might not be what we all wanted to hear.In regards to the competition of Nintendo's first-party titles, Perry states "You have to allow for that. You can't assume it is going to be like the other platforms, because you are going to have Nintendo taking most of the sales. And if Nintendo really sees you as a threat, they will take the moves to wipe you out. They are not going to let you win." Kind of makes Nintendo sound like the mafia or something, wouldn't you say?Perry also talks about Nintendo's new winning attitude, stating that the ease of use of the Wii is what is bringing them all of this new fortune. Perry compares them to Apple, saying "What matters is the fact that things are easy to play. Hopefully, everyone heeded the Nintendo message. Easy to play is very important in this industry. Does anyone get that yet? You can go back to Apple, who taught us the same thing. Time after time after time they put out a new iPod with the same controls. Why? Because adding ten more buttons, which would have been very tempting and very easy to do, would have made it more complex. Keeping that system, that round dial that does everything magically, is part of the proof that making things easier sells."
PSP's Earthworm Jim gets the bird, goes 'on hold'
Earthworm Jim for PSP has been put "on hold" as Atari focuses on other projects. Sister site PSPFanboy reveals that the game they thought was coming along fine with "sharp graphics, and awesome 2D gameplay potential" is no longer in the works, but an Atari spokesperson says it "may be revisited in the future."Optimistically, there's still 60 reasons to own a PSP. Maybe some information will shake out at Min-E3 over why Earthworm Jim got the bird. Atari still has other titles coming out for the PSP, but a lot of their energy (and money) is currently going into upcoming potential hits like the return of Alone in the Dark.
Earthworm Jim put "on hold"
Earthworm Jim for PSP was looking good: it had sharp graphics, and awesome 2D gameplay potential. Unfortunately, it appears that the game is canned ... for now. We contacted Alissa Bell from Atari, who commented: "I believe EWJ is off the roster. May be revisited in the future, but the title is, as I hear it, on hold." Hopefully, this isn't the end of Earthworm Jim on PSP.Atari's upcoming support for PSP includes Dungeons & Dragons Tactics and HOT PIXEL. However, it doesn't appear that PSP fans can expect too much more in the upcoming future. Talking about their E3 plans, Alissa told us that "I don't believe Atari will be focusing on PSP titles at E3."
Virtually Overlooked poll: Five games enter, one game leaves
You've seen everyone's picks, sure, but of all the games listed, which one do you most want on the Virtual Console? Each member of the Wii Fanboy staff has selected one of their top five VC picks -- now you get to decide which game is the most desired of all those featured during Virtually Overlooked week (it's totally StarTropics). But what if the game you most wanted isn't listed here? Then let us know about your real pick in the comments, but go ahead and vote (for StarTropics), because, hey -- we need to be ranked by you. It fulfills us (especially if you vote for StarTropics).No subliminal messages were harmed in the writing of this poll. Which fanboy pick do you want to see on the Virtual Console? Star Tropics Earthworm Jim River City Ransom Seiken Densetsu 3 Saturn Bomberman These are all such great games that I could never choose!
Virtually Overlooked Week: Dave's picks
Virtually Overlooked has taken over Wii Fanboy! All this week, members of the staff will be outlining their personal picks for future Virtual Console releases.I was always a Nintendo fanboy growing up. I had all the Nintendo consoles (I even owned a Virtual Boy once) and only arrived on the Sega scene as it neared its conclusion. But when I did, I arrived in style, as my dad gifted us kids with a Sega Genesis, Sega CD and 32X add-ons, one Christmas during my teen years. There were a lot of great Sega games I was able to play thanks to that, including Star Wars Arcade on the 32X (let the laughing commence!). But, I still managed to primarily play on Nintendo consoles. It wasn't soon after that the N64 emerged on the scene and I found myself actually playing wrestling games. You remember those games, developed by AKI and Yuke's? WCW vs. NWO World Tour was probably the game I played most on the N64 (aside from Goldeneye, of course), but I couldn't bring myself to include it into my list. What did I include in my list?Well, let's find out!
'The Neverhood' may head to the silver screen
The Neverhood, a stop-motion clay-animated adventure game from 1996 (used copies of which can go for $100 on eBay), may well become a feature film, according to Neverhood (and Earthworm Jim) creator Doug TenNapel on his official message board. TenNapel wryly notes that this time, there will be "no game to get in the way" -- in case you don't remember, The Neverhood got mixed-to-bad reviews as a game, though everyone agreed it looked absolutely gorgeous. Anyway, TenNapel says, "Don't speculate on the feature." So, seriously, no speculating in the comments section, okay? Doug wouldn't like it.[Thanks, B]
Earthworm Jim finally coming back? Groovy.
Probably some of the most inventive, off-the-wall crap to come out on the SNES were the Earthworm Jim titles. Nothing could give the sense of high-octane shootin' action as well as some of the most insane humor found in video games of their day. Well, in another interview with former Shiny boss Dave Perry, it seems the worm-in-a-suit will be coming back for more.Perry said the entire team behind the games had reformed: "We reformed the (Earthworm Jim) team and they were all into it. Trust me, all the original Earthworm Jim guys are still very interested in the whole idea; just know that it'll happen eventually." Eventually, indeed. The last one to grace consoles on the N64 was delayed so many times people thought that was actually the game -- waiting. We don't know anything else. No consoles declared, no details... just that it'll happen eventually. Groovy.
Earthworm Jim fans receive glimmer of hope
Good news for dirt-lovin' annelid fans. Shiny Entertainment founder Dave Perry has hinted that a new Earthworm Jim game will "happen eventually." The development team has been re-formed and is interested in reviving the wiggly space-suit-clad hero for a new generation of gamers.The original run-and-gun platformers were packed with strange enemies, lush graphics (for 1994, anyway), and a wacky sense of humor. After all, when you're launching cows as a worm in a space suit, it's hard to be serious.
Wii owners to get Golden Compass
Sega is dishing out the goods yet again as they aim to bring another title to Nintendo's Wii console. This title, which is based on the upcoming movie starring Daniel Craig (who was in the amazing film Layer Cake and most recently played James Bond in Casino Royale), follows Lyra, a woman who finds herself unwillingly at the heart of a secret consipracy. Sega has revealed that the game will be released during the Christmas holiday later this year and be comprised of a total of 13 chapters for players to go through, which have been taken directly from the book the movie is to be based on. Shiny Entertainment, who were responsible for the highly-loved (by us, anyway) Earthworm Jim series of games, are handling development duties for the title on the Wii.
PSP gets its Golden Compass
Fans of book to movie to game adaptations, are you going to wet your pants when you hear this news! Sega has let everyone know that they are releasing a game based on The Golden Compass film adaptation. The game is being developed by Shiny Entertainment (who are also working on the Earthworm Jim PSP title) and will feature the likenesses of the film's cast. You'll play as Lyra and her animal friends Pan and lorek Byrnison. The gameplay consists of using special items and sneakiness when playing Lyra and more head-on physical attacks with lorek. The game will span 13 environments based on areas from the movie as well as some areas that aren't featured in the film. I really have no idea what to expect of this title, but I used to love Shiny's games back in the day, so I can only hope this and Earthworm Jim are good fun. We'll find out for sure when The Golden Compass game is released this fall. [Via Gamespot ]
What Dave Perry wants from a PSP redesign
Dave Perry, the respected creator of games like Earthworm Jim, recently went on record to SPOnG about what he'd like in a potential PSP redesign. He starts by describing the system as "a great little machine, but the price is a major barrier. The American public like $149 to $99 for handhelds." Lowering the price would be substantial in getting more PSPs out there. Mr. Perry has a lot of ideas, some great, and some not-so-much: He proclaims Sony should "make the PSP with a clamshell design, to protect that lovely screen, and they should have made the screen at least DVD resolution." A screen that's 480p would certainly be far pricier to manufacture than Sony's current screen, no? "I would also kill off the UMD disc, remove it entirely and shrink the device size." But that would get rid of compatibility with old PSP games. Maybe for PSP2? Mr. Perry gets a boner for digital distribution, and for good reason: "Embracing digital distribution... would bring movies and games back to the PSP in a sensible way. Then I can buy movies or games for less (ZERO cost of goods), keeping the library safely stored on my PC, picking the ones I want to watch next, and all I have to do is sync. If they wanted to be forward thinking, they could offer modern features like game demos, trial music from new artists, item sales, vast customization of items, characters and in-game objects from databases too vast to store on the PSP." As seen by the popularity of downloadable demos, it's clear that PSP owners want to download games to boot from Memory Stick. The eventual popularity of PSone game downloads may lead Sony to start thinking about offering full PSP titles digitally, saving gamers from UMD costs, and UMD loading times. Homebrew can actually help Sony, according to Mr. Perry: "Did user-created content hurt YouTube? Why not open the PSP? Welcome indie games, welcome development, get the users promoting the device... I bet Sony tries to tell you it doesn't matter. Well, if you type "Sony PSP hack" into Google, there are now 8.6 MILLION pages dedicated to the subject." I completely agree that Sony should be supporting homebrew developers on the platform. In fact, embracing the development community might've prevented the popularity of illegal emulators and ISO programs. Sony could've kept a watchful eye, instead of dividing the community between those that actually play new games, and those that pirate games. One of the greatest attributes of the PSP is that it can connect to a PC, and you can move files between them both. Digital distribution of more demos and games will be key for all PSP owners, and I hope Sony gets working on it.[Via kikizo]
First-ever Earthworm Jim video delights
The Atari love continues today, as impressions and videos from their "Atari Spotlight" slowly trickle in. Another PSP game featured at the event was Earthworm Jim. While the screenshots we've seen so far have looked really good so far, seeing the game in motion has elevated its desirability to an even greater level. Like Ultimate Ghouls 'n Goblins on the PSP and New Super Mario Bros. on the DS, 3D graphics have been really changing the look and feel of 2D games... for the good. Our pal Jim looks to animate quick brilliantly. The platforming looks absolutely spectacular, with Jim have access to a plethora of moves, including a super-charged jump aided by his suit. While the combat and hit detection appear to be lacking right now, this very early demonstration of Earthworm Jim shows a lot of promise.Download - Gamespot's VideoRead - Gamespot's Hands-OnRead - AMN's Hands-On
Earthworm Jim on the DS
Yeah we remember Queen Slug for a Butt, Princess What's-Her-Name, Professor Monkey For A Head and the lucky little ordinary earthworm, Jim, who, luckily, had an Ultra high tech indestructible super space cyber suit fall on him from above thus entering him in an ultimate battle for the universe. How could we forget? Earthworm Jim was one of the best Shiny Entertainment games ever. Lucky for us, Atari is bringing it to the DS! Along with a nice list of release dates you will find Earthworm Jim next to a rather annoying TBD. Not much else has been said about the game and the questions are abundant. Hopefully good things are in store.
