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Empire's remaining stockpile to be sold off this week
Zoo Publishing may already own the rights to Empire Interactive's IP (having bought the fallen company's catalog last month), but it doesn't own any of the company's current physical stock. This means there's a warehouse somewhere in Birmingham, England filled with the defunct company's retail software (212,000 boxes, to be exact) just sitting idly, collecting dust. KPMG is looking to liquidate these former Empire assets, hoping to sell everything altogether for a 15% premium this week and finally let Empire fade into history.Of course, only those with pockets lined with gold and don't mind swimming in multiple copies of Pipemania, could afford to take up the offer. As MCV sadly notes, none of the proceeds will go to the 40 ex-Empire staff who were laid off and unpaid for their final eight weeks at the company.
Empire Interactive's catalog sold to Zoo
Following the publisher's descent into administration earlier this week, Empire Interactive's games catalog and intellectual property rights have been sold to Zoo Publishing, Edge Online reports. As a result of the purchase, US-based Zoo can re-release titles, port them to other platforms and create new titles based on the fallen Empire's original properties. Given this news, would it be too much to ask for a Big Mutha Truckers MMO? Or, perhaps, an M-rated Pipe Mania? We can't can wait to see what Zoo does with its "going out of business sale" bargains!
Empire Interactive officially in administration
Twenty-year-old UK publisher Empire Interactive has confirmed that the company has entered into administration (which is like bankruptcy, if bankruptcy put vinegar on its french fries and called them chips). Forty-nine members of the staff will be let go while six will stay on to help administrator KPMG with the process.The company isn't a household name in the states, but you might be familiar with some of the recent titles they've had a hand in, like Pipe Mania, Jackass: The Game and FlatOut.
Empire Interactive discusses closure in internal email
Empire Interactive owner Silverstar Holdings has informed employees today that they'll be found "redundant" and the company is going into "administration." Translation in American: Workers best be findin' some new McJobs to put cheddar on their burgers. MCV reports that an email circulated earlier today within the company states that "administrators will move to make all the staff redundant."It appears, given this latest information, that the company may not be saved through a buyout, which had been the hope. Seems that titles like Pipe Mania, Jackass: The Game and FlatOut weren't enough to save the company.
Empire Interactive might go bust
Empire Interactive (Pipemania, FlatOut) is the next game company to be hit hard by the global recession. MCVUK reports the British developer has fallen into administration and its entire staff is expected to be laid-off. Sources tell Joystiq that Empire is in financial trouble because suppliers and retailers have not made appropriate payments to EI. Our sources also tell us that talks of a buyout to purchase EI have been going on since GDC in March; however, with a month gone by and still no buyer, the situation is looking rather grim. Meanwhile, Empire's parent company in the US, Silverstar Holdings, denies that EI will be laying off its entire staff due to its financial woes but admits there will be losses. In fact, some employees back in the UK have already been given the pink slip. In any case, this probably means that Empire's summer line-up of Animal Paradise Wild and You Can Draw won't be out on schedule -- if they make it out at all.Source: MCVUKSource: MCVUKSource: Gamasutra
Jagged Alliance DS: a time capsule from 1994
Empire Interactive sent out new screens of its Jagged Alliance remake today, causing a unique variety of nostalgia. We're used to stuff like Mega Man 9 and Retro Game Challenge giving us the feeling of being back in the 80s, but we have as yet experienced very little nostalgia for mid-90s PC gaming. We think it's the awkward, semi-realistic character portraits that so effectively take us back in time. Speaking of awkward character portraits, is it just us, or does that guy kind of look like a bearded, bronzed John Ritter?Even without the warm feelings we have for kinda-ugly games of the past, Jagged Alliance DS could be good news for DS gamers looking for tactical strategy without a fantasy-RPG setting. According to the accompanying press release, JADS is coming out sometime this spring for $30.%Gallery-30513%
Empire's new Mensa games not only for the 200 IQ crowd
Empire Interactive has recently snatched up the rights to make Mensa-themed games for consoles, handhelds, PCs and Macs. While further details on these upcoming titles are scarce, the ultra-elite group of brainiacs assures us that these new games will "foster intelligence." Judging by that statement, and the group's taste in gaming, we'd say to expect a slew of Sudoku and crossword puzzles. As if the DS needed any more of those.
Exclusive Pipemania PSP trailer
Download to PSP Perhaps you've heard so much about Pipemania within the last few days that you're just ready to go under the kitchen sink and take the plumbing apart in anticipation. Well, okay, maybe not that far. But, hey, if you've been wanting more, then we've got it. Here's an exclusive trailer just for our dear readers' eyes. The three minute trailer shows you how the game is played and also drops a bit of the title's back story. Yes, back story, because puzzle games can have them, too. You'll probably want to hear all about those cowboy plumbers ... wait, what? Cowboy plumbers?
Jagged Alliance cuts into the DS next year
Rumored M.I.A. since former publisher Strategy First canceled all of its DS titles, the Jagged Alliance port for the DS has returned with a release scheduled for 2009! Have a look at the game's soldiers of fortune in the gallery below!Strategy First is still helping Cypron Studios (Command and Destroy) handle development for the project while Empire Interactive, as GameFly predicted, is taking over publishing duties. So long as this eventually ships, that's fine with us!For those of you who were to busy playing console releases to mess with PC titles in the mid-to-late 90s, the Jagged Alliance series comprises of tactical RPGs featuring player-controlled squads of mercenaries, each unit possessing different skills and personalities. Think of it as X-COM, but with more character and less aliens.On a negative note, as excited as we are to see this PC classic finally coming to the DS, the port's graphics, though more detailed, somehow manage to look less appealing than the graphics from the original Jagged Alliance for DOS, which was released in 1994!%Gallery-30513%[Via press release] Are you a strategy nut? Check out our coverage on titles like Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, and Age of Empires! We even put together a collection of strategy recommendations for crazies like you!
Pipemania will only be $20, out September 30
If you've read our hands-on with Pipemania last week, you may have noticed that we had information regarding an exact price and date for the game. While the release date of September 30 was dead on accurate, we were apparently communicated with the wrong pricing. Chalk it up to a common case of store clerk labeling snafu, mixing up those price tags. Instead of paying $40, you can expect Pipemania to go on sale at $19.99 next month. We're actually quite glad to hear that the numbers were a mistake.
PSP Fanboy hands-on: Pipemania
Laying down pipes is a tough job. It's not only for overweight guys with a problem keeping their butt cracks covered up, it's a job for puzzle lovers and thinkers, too. Don't agree? Well, if so, that's because you haven't played Pipemania yet. We've put in some time with the pipe-centric puzzler, playing up the DS version which, while having a different interface than the PSP, will have the exact same core gameplay and game modes. The main objective of the game is to build pipes and keep fluid called "Flooze" from flooding the game grid. There are two designated squares which will represent 1) the beginning where the Flooze will flow from, and 2) the end where the Flooze needs to be brought to. To bridge these two points together, you'll have to make good use of a prearranged line of differently shaped pipe pieces. You'll only be able to use pipes in a fixed sequential order; however, you'll be able to view the next few pieces in line to plan ahead. This sort of preset arrangement maintains a consistent difficulty, providing balance to the progressive difficulty of the game as more gameplay elements and stricter time pressure appear.%Gallery-29234%
Want some pipe-bursting Pipe Mania info? We've got it
We've recently had the chance to catch producer Ben Wilkins and Empire Interactive's Director of project management P.J. Snavely for a little Q&A session on their latest multiplat puzzle game, Pipe Mania. The game is a remake of the classic 1989 title with a legion of new game modes and gameplay features. Wilkins told us that this new Pipe Mania will keep the classic core gameplay and will emphasize on building on top of that by adding more content.Speaking of adding more, the game is set to have 250-300 levels -- about three times more than the original. Levels are not randomized; they're all preset. Expect to see some classic levels. World mode (story mode) is the game's main course, taking players to themed areas like: sewers, railroads, a toy factory, and even the almighty internet. Arcade mode is described as a "never-ending series of puzzles" and the PSP's versus mode involves competitive head-to-head matches via "remote" (which we're assuming means infrastructure play). Wilkins noted that the PSP was the best fit for multiplayer, but was also the most difficult to work with in regards to the interface. The Wii, DS, and PC versions all have that original point-n-click interface, but the PSP and PS2 don't. You'll have to be "slightly less cavalier with your moves" said Wilkins.Lastly, the duo made mention that a PSP demo will be available soon on the PS Store. That should come in good time as Pipe Mania is due out in North America by mid-September. Oddly enough, a price for the title is "still being determined."%Gallery-29234%
Unsolved Crimes offers more clues about gameplay
Anyone who was around thirty-some years ago (or saw the movie Summer of Sam) might know that New York City wasn't the safest of places during the 1970s. That's why we're even more intrigued by the realistic-looking adventure game, Unsolved Crimes, which takes place in this crime-filled setting.The game should be releasing this fall (in the UK, at least), and centers around a rookie detective. He (and therefore, you,) must figure out the circumstances behind the disappearance of aspiring model Betty Blake. The game will focus on the one overarching storyline, but will include other mysteries for you to solve as well (à la Hotel Dusk). In fact, the press release boasts that there are eight different cases to solve.Also like Hotel Dusk, you'll have to pay close attention to detail so that you can answer questions later (in addition to point-and-click adventure gaming and action-packed shootouts). Check out the new screens in the gallery below for more of an idea of what to expect.%Gallery-25630%
Hope for long-lost Jagged Alliance DS?
Way back in 2005, Strategy First announced a DS version of Jagged Alliance 2 Gold, which became increasingly vaporous as time passed. Gamefly now lists a Jagged Alliance game coming October 9, from publisher Empire Interactive. It may be a sign of renewed life for the Pocket PC Studios-developed port, or it could be the work of a new development team to whom the rights were granted after prolonged inactivity.Jagged Alliance is a military strategy game series that originated on PC in 1994, involving player-controlled squads of mercenaries. Not only do the mercs have different skills, they interact differently with one another when teamed up. The player's actions lend a reputation that also affects the mercenaries' willingness to work.[Update: Eric pointed out that Strategy First officially cancelled all their projects. Either Empire has picked up the pieces or this is an unrelated project.]
Hello Kitty Crossing
Empire Interactive's Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams follows Hello Kitty as she moves out of Sanrio Town to seek a new life in The Big City. What will she find when she gets there? Minigames!As Kitty pursues her goal of moving into a penthouse apartment, she can do chores for her neighbors and meet new people. If it sounds a lot like Animal Crossing, that's probably no coincidence. As it turns out, it looks a lot like Animal Crossing too. But we'd love to play a Sanrio-themed Animal Crossing. As far as we're concerned, the closer the ripoff, the better.%Gallery-27377%[Via GamesPress]
Unsolved Crimes, revealed!
Take a dash of trenchcoat, a hint of hat, and a pinch of grizzled police chief. Bake it for 24 hours under a forensic microscope, and BAM! Unsolved Crimes is born. The lack of realistic detective work on the DS needs to be addressed, and these new gallery screens for the upcoming adventure look extremely promising.You'll be treated to fully 3D environments, a rather detailed case inventory system, and perhaps even driving segments. If Empire Interactive can replicate intricate investigative scenarios and rustle together a reasonably complex detective tale, then Unsolved Crimes won't stay unsolved for long. That is, people will buy it. And finish it.%Gallery-25630%
Animals in Paradise, again
Nintendo attracts cute animals like nobody's business. If it isn't Nintendogs, it's Animal Crossing. If it isn't that, it's this. And if it isn't any of those -- it's Animal Paradise 2. As if pets aren't celebrated enough in video games, we need to give them a paradise. How about Blogger Paradise 2?The original game isn't even out in North America yet, and the release for AP2 only mentions a European release date. That's Q2 2009, a long time from now, and an even longer time for the rest of the world. The game focuses on managing a park (read: paradise) filled with an array of Hanadeka animals. That's way too much cute for any one person to take, so waiting a while before it comes out is probably good for the heart.[Via press release]
DS Daily: Would you publish Myst?
Imagine you're in charge of a video game publisher. You've been given the opportunity to publish a DS version of Myst. Myst is one of the most popular games of all time, and the DS is one of the most popular systems of all time. Do you decide to pick up the project, or do you pass? Are your reasons financial or artistic? Do you think Myst is a timeless classic, bound to sell on the most adventure-friendly system in ages, or is it an archaic slideshow? Does that matter business-wise?
Top publishers snubbed Myst DS
Sometimes, we really wish that we could be flies on the walls of game company offices. Maybe we're just huge nerds (actually, that's a fact), but still, we'd love to hear the reasoning behind some of the business decisions made -- just because we're curious when it comes to those types of things.Every so often, though, we get a little insight into the industry. Most recently, MTV Multiplayer learned some things about Myst DS from it's license owner, Manny Granillo, regarding why the game was turned down by many of the "top publishers." Granillo doesn't mention which companies refused to publish the title for Nintendo's handheld, but he divulged the reasons they gave. Gallery: Myst
Pipemania flowing into stores this summer
We still don't have a concrete release date for Empire Interactive's Pipemania (now one word, according to ... most of the text in the press release!), but the publisher has announced that they're planning to release the game this summer on DS, PSP, Wii, PS2, and PC. The new version features more than 70 levels spread across seven different themes, including (we're guessing) "Here are Some Pipes" and "These Pipes are a Different Color than the Last Set of Pipes."Pipemania features two-player co-operative play, so you can play through the whole set of puzzles with your favorite plumber's helper. It also features "new play mechanics, multiple attacks and damages, various Floozes, and an army of characters for players to help and hinder along the way." Wait, attacks and damages? What do you attack, the pipes? Is "attack" just a fancy word for "attach normally?"%Gallery-17917%
