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Presenting the characters of DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue
DeathSpank's humor was one of the things that made it popular enough to warrant a quick sequel, and since that humor was most often driven by the wacky characters, Thongs of Virtue won't lack for funny faces, either. Hothead sent along some profiles of the bosses and allies you'll be meeting as you hunt down the six thongs (there were nine, apparently, but marketing stuck its big nose in and shortened the thong total by three), and you can browse through them in the gallery below. Our favorite? "Steve," as pictured above. Look, the dude was raised by ninjas and rides a tiny unicorn -- your argument is irrelevant. In fact, is it too late to change the name of the game? Steve: Thongs of Virtue has a nice ring to it, too.%Gallery-102374%
DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue's virtuous thongs: explained!
When DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue was first introduced, we were baffled by the mysterious origin of the game's various undergarments of legend. Now that we know where they're from -- thanks to this latest trailer, care of PAX -- well, we're just as baffled. Head past the break and see for yourself.
Swarm preview: strength in numbers
Hothead revealed Swarm for the first time back at E3. Then, we didn't know much about the game -- it's actually still in pre-Alpha, despite a launch window of "early 2011." We were given a demo of the game at PAX and finally came to understand what we were dealing with. It's hard to see the game and not compare it to Lemmings. Both games have a seemingly dull-witted cast who have found themselves inexplicably stuck in an incredibly dangerous environment. And both have the same means to persevere: teamwork. %Gallery-101328%
Hothead's games prevent communism, apparently
The latest Hothead dev diary is out and, well, it doesn't have much to do with video games, with hardly a mention of DeathSpank. Actually, it does note that Hothead's games combat communism, though it never elucidates how. It has something to do with circumcisions, we guess?
DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue gameplay leaves little to the imagination
We're still not 100 percent positive what the subtitle in DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue means. Perhaps our titular hero enjoys the snugness only a certain type of undergarment can provide? Regardless, we've got the next best thing for you today: gameplay footage. Over at GameVideos, they've managed to procure four different gameplay sections showcasing several distinct areas of the game. We went on a quest to retrieve said videos, which show DeathSpank doing what he does best: making other people look like chumps. Feel free to swoon at our level 10 copy/paste ability past the break. %Gallery-100820%
DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue sequel coming to XBLA, PSN in September
With justice not entirely dispensed, evil still to be vanquished and plenty of downtrodden to be, uh, heroed, the titular DeathSpank returns in DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue. Hothead Games today announced a full-on sequel to this summer's Diablo homage (parody?) on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network -- and it's almost complete! Thongs of Virtue will launch on PSN and XBLA on September 21 and 22, respectively, for $15 (or 1200 Microsoft Points). The quick turnaround is the result of Hothead beginning development on Thongs of Virtue well before the release of the first game, and despite creator Ron Gilbert's departure from the studio in April. (You might recall that DeathSpank was originally proposed as an episodic endeavor, but that plan was supposedly abandoned during development of the first game.) Thongs of Virtue still reflects Gilbert's influence and looks to expand on the foundational elements of the original game; even if it doesn't address all of the post-release fan feedback. "DeathSpank 1 was an introduction to the universe for people and it was very much a fantasy action RPG," producer Hamish Millar tells GameSpot. "For the second game -- and this is a reason it was a separate product, too- -- we just wanted to redefine what that could be. We just wanted to blow people's expectations out of the water as far as what kind of weapons DeathSpank can have, what worlds he can travel to, and what sort of creatures and characters and enemies he can face."
Ron Gilbert digs iPhone, hopes DeathSpank inspires other devs
GamerBytes has a nice long interview with DeathSpank creator Ron Gilbert, and while he waxes philosophical on all sorts of stuff found in the excellent XBLA/PSN hack-'n-slash title, he says he's not sure what he plans to do next. But iPhone gaming has grabbed his attention for the moment: "iPhone games are very interesting to me right now. I play a lot of them, and they're neat because then you can do two- or three-people teams to make those things," he says. Making DeathSpank was tougher than expected, according to Gilbert -- he started out wanting to make Monkey Island meets Diablo, but the Diablo half of the game was more difficult to balance than he'd thought it would be. Not only did he have to balance weapons and combat, but he had to deal with DeathSpank's own character attributes. A class system was originally planned, but Gilbert wanted to play his character (which originally came from a Flash cartoon series), not yours, so the team eventually went with the "Hero Cards" system. Gilbert also says he hopes that DeathSpank influences the downloadable market -- rather than simply house reissues of older games or big budget titles, he hopes that downloadable game platforms can be a place for originality, and that "we can get some really good, interesting games in the download space." We'll hack and slash to that!
Hothead Games dev diary is good for a laugh
Who says developer diaries have to give behind-the-scenes looks at specific games? Hothead's latest dev diary simply focuses on the rarely achieved art of making games funny. Apparently, it's a tricky blend of timing, creativity and John Ritter-fronted late '70s sitcoms.
Joyswag: Win a trip for two to PAX, courtesy of HotHead Games and DeathSpank
Update: Congratulations to grand prize winner Stefan, and to the eight first prize winners! He is DeathSpank: Defender of Justice. Vanquisher of Evil. Hero to the Downtrodden. Guy who's footing the bill for you and a friend, loved one, or really lucky stranger to attend PAX Prime! But who is this "you" we speak of? Well, it could be you, provided you're the winner of this epic giveaway brought to you by DeathSpank's gracious overlords at Hothead Games and your pals here at Joystiq. Otherwise it will be someone else, who may or may not laugh at your misfortune -- that jerk! Don't be the one who that jerk potentially laughs at -- heed the rules, cross your fingers and enter for your chance to score free airfare, lodging, attendance to PAX, and the possibility of being referred to as "Sir" or "Miss" for a change. That, and the ultimate honor: being able to say, "I'm with DeathSpank!" To enter this giveaway: 1. Visit DeathSpank.com and search for "the Artifact" image (pictured below) that's been hidden on one of the pages there. The Artifact will be clearly visible and looks like this: 2. Locate and copy your own unique "Joystiq Code" that appears beneath the Artifact image. 3. Return to this giveaway post and paste your code in a comment to enter for your chance to win. Head past the break for complete rules and details.
Review: DeathSpank
"DeathSpank? What a ridiculous name!" I can hear you saying it now. Yes, it is a ridiculous name, for a ridiculous game which revels in the fact that it's ridiculous. Well, that and damned funny. Oh, and a super-fun, retail-caliber yet downloadable action-RPG. If you haven't been following all things 'Spank, know that it's the creation of Ron Gilbert (one of the mad geniuses who brought the world the Monkey Island series) and Hothead Games (makers of the delightful, and also downloadable, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain Slick-Precipice of Darkness). Also know that it stars a hero, DeathSpank, who possesses enough machismo to fill a football stadium. His grasp on reality, on the other hand, would barely fill a football. %Gallery-71890%
XBLA in Brief: Deadliest Warrior, DeathSpank
XBLA is all about death this week. First up we have gruesome, deadly martial arts with Deadliest Warrior: The Game and then we have just, heroic, loot-driven murder with DeathSpank. Honestly, both causes of death have their appeal. Watch the latest XBLA in Brief and see just how fun death can be. [iTunes] Subscribe to XBLA in Brief directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the XBLA in Brief directly. [RSS] Add the XBLA in Brief feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly. There are new Xbox Live Arcade games released every week. We realize that our readers are busy, attractive people, and may not have time to download and examine each and every new XBLA game. You've got busy, attractive person stuff to do, after all. Not to worry though, because we've done the work for you, downloading every single trial game and giving you a taste of what to expect. Watch XBLA in Brief every week to see which games deserve a closer look. When you have the time, of course.
DeathSpank trailer previews some unorthodox armaments
We've discussed some of the unique weapons you'll be wielding in Ron Gilbert's upcoming XBLA and PSN title, DeathSpank, but you really can't get a good feel for them until you see them in action. It's like, you can read about the Demon Poop Hammer all day, but you've really got to see it swing.
Hothead Games unleashes Swarm in 2011
With Hothead Games having ceased work on Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 3 (and finishing up DeathSpank), it's ready to pursue a brand new project: Swarm, a game which stars some seemingly dull-witted blue things. The introductory trailer (which you can find beyond the break) gives us a Lemmings vibe, with just a touch of sadism. Players must take control of 50 Swarmites, navigating them through "gauntlets of death and destruction," all in the search of precious DNA. You'll also need to ensure that at least one Swarmite survives in order to make use of that collected life goo. Look for Swarm in 2011, when it'll be available "across multiple platforms."
DeathSpank dispensing co-op justice on PSN July 13, XBLA July 14
DeathSpank, Monkey Island co-creator Ron Gilbert's homage to Diablo, has been fully loaded with laughs and is ready to make its debut on PSN July 13, arriving on Xbox Live Arcade the next day, July 14 (barring any temporal anomalies). We played the game a couple months back and were smitten with its charm, humor, loot and bacon. What we didn't see back then was DeathSpank's cooperative mode. Since there can only be one DeathSpank (we don't think the world could handle two of him) player two will control his spell-casting sidekick, Sparkles the Wizard. We're sure Sparkles is just fine with his silly name, so long as he gets to tag along with the Hero to the Downtrodden. DeathSpank will loot your wallet for $14.99 on PSN and 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) via the Xbox Live Marketplace. %Gallery-96046%
DeathSpank trailer dispenses justice, toll-free hotline number
We get to see a little bit more of DeathSpank, the Diablo-like adventure from The Secret of Monkey Island co-creator Ron Gilbert, in the above video just dispatched by publisher EA. We've already spent some hands-on time with the game, which is due to land on PSN and XBLA this summer, and it places petty high on our list of games we want to spend a lot more time with, and soon. Not just because it's fun, but also stupendously funny (not to mention filled with forbidden bacon). You can get an interactive taste of the game's humor right now by calling the DeathSpank Hotline at 1-866-631-1574 (toll-free from the US). It's reassuring to know there's a hero out there ready to dispense justice, vanquish evil and be a hero to the downtrodden in so many different languages!
Hands-on: DeathSpank (XBLA/PSN)
When a game is described as "Diablo meets Monkey Island," two reactions come naturally: "Neat!," followed by, "Wait a second ... how can that even be possible?" Well, it is. I found this out for myself earlier this week when the 'Stiq had its first hands-on (we'd seen it at PAX 2009) with DeathSpank, the latest game from Ron Gilbert, designer of The Secret of Monkey Island (but not Diablo). His new downloadable game is a fast-paced, button-mashy loot-'em-up, as well as an adventure filled with interesting characters and diabolically funny dialog. Also, it's about bacon and a hero who's favorite number is ... plaid. %Gallery-92049%
DeathSpank creator Ron Gilbert has 'left Hothead' Games
Just over a month after announcing a high-profile publishing arrangement with EA Partners for the XBLA and PSN release of DeathSpank, the game's creator (and locker room pinup at Joystiq HQ) Ron Gilbert announced on his personal blog that he has "left Hothead," the development team behind the game. Gilbert takes his leave as "the creative and production phases" on DeathSpank are ending and the "long and winding road of certification and testing" for the console (and "REDACTED" ... maybe PC?) versions are beginning; however, he isn't leaving the game behind. "I will be working closely with EA and Hothead on the PR for DeathSpank as the release date of [REDACTED] draws closer," he writes, cheekily poking fun at, well, posts just like this one we imagine. Last month, Penny Arcade's Jerry Holkins told Joystiq that development on Penny Arcade Adventures was ending prematurely in large part so Hothead could focus on Deathspank. "Hothead has DeathSpank and they have a chance to do something really cool with it," Holkins said. "And they need to have an opportunity to make it incredible." With a perceived surfeit of free time, Gilbert promises to "blog more" and remember his Twitter password ... which it appears he hasn't done yet. We've asked Hothead Games to comment on Gilbert's posting. We'll let you know what we hear back. [Update: Hothead's Joel DeYoung sent us the following comment: "Ron has indeed moved on from Hothead. We've really enjoyed collaborating with him on DeathSpank -- a game we believe will be the best game yet on XBLA and PSN. We are really excited to share the result with Hothead and Ron Gilbert fans everywhere." So there you have it!] [Thanks, fco]
PSN Thursday: Super Puzzle Fighter price drops, Penny Arcade Adventures gets bundled up
The PSN update this week is casual. You know, nothing big, but not bad. There are some deals, like the seriously reduced Penny Arcade Adventures bundle. It has a couple neat demos, like Just Cause 2. Oh, oh, and there's a new episode of The Tester. We know you're loving that, but not as much as you're loving Ru Paul's Drag Race (confess!). It's a T-shirt and jeans kind of update this week. Check out the full PSN update after the break. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
EA publishing 'DeathSpank' and 'Shank' on PSN, XBLA
EA Partners, a division of Electronics Arts, has announced an exclusive publishing agreement with two upcoming indie games -- Hothead's DeathSpank and Klei Entertainment's Shank -- which will allow a much wider (and ostensibly easier) path to distribution for both games. EA claims Shank will be available on Xbox Live, PlayStation Network and PC this summer, while DeathSpank will be available on Xbox Live and PSN with no date yet announced. "Our mission at EA Partners is to work with the best talent across the game industry, and we are thrilled to extend our expertise to the leading creative developers in downloadable indie games," said EA Partners' outreach director Jamil Moledina. "DeathSpank is engrossingly fun and hysterically funny ... and Shank is an amazing experience." The EA Partners program has had some heavy hitters onboard, like Rock Band, Left 4 Dead 2, and Brütal Legend, but this marks the first time that smaller, downloadable indie games have been brought into the fold. We've toured through DeathSpank before (with Ron Gilbert himself!), and Shank was just named a finalist at the Independent Games Festival, taking place during GDC next week in San Francisco. It's interesting to see EA move into the indie arena, much like 2K Games has done with 2K Play (think: The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom and Axel and Pixel), but we'll have to see how it plays out. Hopefully they'll offer both in a Spank 'n Shank special bundle. We spoke with EA's Moledina and both developers, so stay tuned for more info shortly.
Penny Arcade 'hoping' for Episode 3 reveal at PAX East
While it's been some time since we last heard about the third installment in the Steampunkian Penny Arcade Adventures series, a glimmer of hope resides in the coming months with PAX East. A Penny Arcade representative confirmed to Joystiq that, "They [Penny Arcade] are hoping to have something to announce by PAX East. Unfortunately, we won't have anything before then." Presumably, we'll exclaim "oooooh" when we do finally see the game, as Mike "Gabe" Krahulik explained when we last heard from the duo about the game's absence.Jerry "Tycho" Holkins further confirmed the possibility of an appearance for PAA: Episode 3 at PAX East, telling MTV Multiplayer, "Listen very closely to the announcements at PAX!" We're certainly ready to "feel the vigor in all our limbs," as Holkins claimed we would last September, but it's been so long we're not sure we'll remember that city-saving, hobo-beating, purple pantaloon-wearing protagonist of ours ... oh ... well, maybe not.
