JoWood
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GOG.com selling entire JoWood catalog at up to 75% off
With JoWood in dire straits and quite possibly closing its doors for good, Good Old Games is currently selling the company's entire catalog at a massive discount. All individual titles in the JoWood catalog can be had for sixty percent off, with the most expensive titles selling for a whopping $4. Or, if you've got some really deep pockets, you can bag GoG's entire JoWood catalog of 13 games for under $25, a savings of over $70. The sale is active through Tuesday. We can only hope that the sale might help JoWood stay alive. It's possible, however, that GoG is simply trying to make some money off of the titles while it still has rights to do so, as JoWood could begin selling off its game properties to pay back its creditors. Check out a list of available titles after the break.
JoWooD recovery plan breaks down, closure appears imminent
Austrian game publisher JoWooD Entertainment has reached "game over," according to Austrian news site Boerse-Express. Negotiations with potential investors to recapitalize the debt-ridden publisher have fallen apart, signaling that the end is near. In order to pay back creditors, Game Informer notes, JoWooD could now attempt to sell off its game properties (recalling Midway's last gasp). A companion report on Boerse-Express adds that shares of the company have been suspended from trading and that the JoWooD Distribution Services subsidiary has also filed for bankruptcy. It's as yet unknown what will happen to DreamCatcher, JoWooD's Toronto-based subsidiary in charge of North American publishing operations. In early January, JoWooD filed for bankruptcy and announced plans to pursue capital reorganization. "The management board assumes that negotiations with creditors and possible investors can be positively conducted and finalized within 90 days," the company said at the time, "and thus continuation of the company can be assured." JoWooD was founded in 1995. The company is best known for publishing the Gothic series, in addition to the Painkiller and Spellforce games. JoWooD also published Torchlight in European territories. According to Boerse-Express, the company employs about 85 staff. In the first nine months of the current fiscal year, JoWooD reported a net loss of €25 million (about $36 million). [Pictured: Painkiller: Redemption (2011)]
Stake your claim on Painkiller: Black Edition for $4 on GOG
It's hard to put a price on life's simpler pleasures, like staking dudes to walls, or staking dudes to other dudes, or lightning shuriken guns. If you could put a price on those things, it would be much, much higher than $3.99, the temporarily discounted price of Painkiller: Black Edition on GOG.
Unnamed investor pulls its financial support for JoWooD
Things aren't looking too terribly bright for Vienna-based publisher JoWooD Productions. Helmut Platzgummer, the firm in charge of the struggling company's insolvency, revealed that an unnamed investor has pulled out its interest in the company. That's not necessarily a death knell -- according to the Austrian Independent, two other investors are interested in keeping the studio afloat. (We're guessing they're really big Painkiller fans.) Perplexingly, the publisher also announced that its upcoming expansion to Gothic 4, Fall of Setarrif, had been cancelled due to "legal uncertainty" with its own business development manager Stefan Berger. The publisher explained in a press release, "It's uncertain whether the game can be released onto the market in its current form." We hope that JoWooD can figure out some solutions for its problems, whether they be financial, legal or otherwise.
Painkiller: Redemption mod turned into full game by JoWood
Much like its evil-staking protagonist, the Painkiller franchise seems virtually incapable of succumbing to death. JoWood Entertainment has announced a new installment in the franchise, titled Painkiller: Redemption -- a third-party mod for the original game which the developer has elected to turn into a fully-fledged game, due out on various digital distribution platforms later this month. The press release announcing the title mentions a few new features, including the ability to play as either Painkiller hero Daniel Garner or Painkiller: Overdose's Belial. Players will also square off against "Over 6,000 enemies," which we really don't foresee being much of a problem, as long as we're provided 6,000 stakes throughout the course of the campaign.
Nobilis joins GOG, brings Moto Racer games
Trine publisher Nobilis has been added to the collection of companies selling their good old games on GOG. Right away, one of its most recognizable franchises has been added to the DRM-free stormfront: Moto Racer -- the only motorcycle racing series developed by Another World's Delphine Software. The first Moto Racer, offering superbike and motocross events, is available for download now at a price of $5.99. The second and third games will follow "soon." Along with the Nobilis games, GOG has also released Chaser, a 2003 FPS by Cauldron Ltd, starring an amnesiac trapped on a spaceship and unaware of why he's being pursued by other occupants.
Arcania: Gothic 4 delayed for PS3 until 2011; Xbox 360, PC still October
Following up on a tip that GameFly had shifted the date for both console versions of Arcania: Gothic 4, we spoke to a representative for the publisher JoWood, who clarified the release schedule. The game is currently scheduled to launch on October 12 in North America (Oct. 15 in the UK) for Xbox 360 and PC. The PS3 version has been delayed until "early 2011." A demo for Arcania is available now on Xbox Marketplace. Amazon, GameStop and Walmart currently have the PS3 version with a March 2011 release date. [Thanks, Jason]
PSA: Enslaved, Gothic 4 demos released on Xbox Live Marketplace
As foreseen yesterday by the Enslaved: Odyssey to the West Twitter account, Xbox Live Gold members now have access to the game's previously PSN-exclusive demo. Additionally, Major Nelson points out that Arcania: Gothic 4 also got a demo. That means killing robots with a giant baton in the post-post-post apocalypse and exploring the unknown depths of the Southern Islands are just two downloads away! Click through for each below. Xbox.com: Add the Enslaved: Odyssey to the West demo to your Xbox 360 download queue Xbox.com: Add the Arcania: Gothic 4 demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
Sherlock Holmes vs Jack the Ripper vs 360 in NA this March
Adventure game Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper will take a stab at North American retail this March. Released last year in Europe, the console port of the PC game has the fictional detective on the trail of the real-world 19th-century serial killer. Hey, while we're messing with fiction, reality, history and time, why not have Holmes team up with Doctor Who and Sam Beckett? He can change history for the better, putting right what once went wrong and bringing Beckett one step closer to his leap home. Actually ... that's not bad. Hands off, video game industry! We're saving that idea for Joystiq Publishing's still-looking-for- 2011 release list.
Oh, hey -- Painkiller: Resurrection released
So here we were, thinking about how odd it was that a demo for Painkiller: Resurrection stealthily released onto the intertron last week after hearing nothing about the game for, oh, like six months, when all of a sudden we noticed that the full game is also now available. In fact, the release was so secretive, even the game's official site doesn't know you can't pre-order it anymore. You can grab it for yourself on Steam for $29.99 right now or if you want to save $10 -- and don't mind a disc case taking up space on your shelf -- you can grab it for $19.99 from Amazon.
Painkiller: Resurrection demo raises the stakes
We've heard literally nothing from JoWood Interactive's reboot of the purgatorial stake-gun shooter, Painkiller: Resurrection, since it was first announced back in April. Therefore, we see this news post as providing two important pieces of information, the first being that the game apparently hasn't been canceled. This is evidenced by the second fact: A single-player demo for the title is now available to download. With our thrilling, fast-paced lives as internet journalistas, we don't have the time to download the 1.3GB demo, burn the .iso file onto a DVD, then play the thing. We're hoping you can do those things for us, then relate to us the important bits. Like, for instance, the status of the lightning/shuriken gun. If it's absent, you better believe we're starting a petition. Download: Painkiller: Resurrection demo (1.3GB)
DreamCatcher & JoWood bring dedicated Yoga game to Wii
DreamCatcher and JoWood have announced a dedicated Yoga game for the Nintendo Wii, simply named Yoga for Wii. The game, which was built for use with the Wii Balance Board, includes three modes: Training, Routine and Story -- where players must seek revenge for the death of their brother... wait, no. Wrong press release. Oh, here it is, the purpose of the story mode is actually to turn Yoga novices into routine gurus. Also, players can go through a number of preset routines or create their own to fit their daily needs. Using the Wii Balance Board in conjunction with the Wii Remote is said to analyze balance, making suggestions for better routine execution with the help of a Yoga Master that tracks overall progress. Yoga for Wii is set to downward-dog into stores this October.
JoWooD to 'increasingly focus' on Nintendo platforms
Austria's JoWood Productions has a growing affection for Nintendo. The Gothic publisher announced today that it plans to "increasingly focus" on both the DS and Wii, with ports of its PC medieval RTS The Guild and 2D puzzler Neighbors From Hell (PC version pictured) already in the works for Nintendo's popular console duo.The effort is all part of an effort by the company to broaden its game portfolio. In particular, JoWood expects Neighbors From Hell to "benefit hugely" from the unique control styles afforded by both the DS and Wii when it reaches for store shelves in the second quarter. Just don't pull a muscle, JoWood, especially after bringing Yoga Wii to market around the same time.
GOG in the Machine: In Cold Blood, Painkiller
Your weekly, Good Old Games-sponsored tour through the classics of PC gaming continues this week with a new addition, In Cold Blood, available now for $5.99. If you're unfamiliar with this stealthy adventure all the way from 2001, we've put a trailer for you just after the break.The service has also added two JoWooD titles for $9.99: demonic FPS Painkiller Black Edition and tank sim Panzer Elite: Special Edition. Hmm, shooting Hell beasts with giant stakes or a historical strategy game? We hope the right choice is clear.
Music Monstars breaks free this September
A press release from publisher JoWood suggested, if not clearly, that they would publish developer Novarama's strangely compelling music game Music Monstars in North America. A new press release makes this sound a lot more likely, though the language is still a bit indirect.According to the press release, JoWood is handling distribution in "North- and South America, Portugal, Spain and India" Tivola, who is releasing the game in Germany, will release the game in September. Does that mean that JoWood will also release the game in September in all those territories? At the very least, this is the first time that this game has been mentioned specifically as a North American release.
Play it again, Sam ... and Max
While the first Wii media for the upcoming Sam and Max: Season One wasn't particularly enlightening, it was pretty funny -- a staple of the S&M (wow, bet Telltale didn't think that one through) series. That has all changed with the latest trailer, as the titular characters give us a sneak peek at their entire adventure catalogue.Many gamers may have missed out on the comedy duo's episodic capers during its run on the PC, so the chance to pick up the entire first season on the adventure-capable Wii is a no-brainer. You'll find noir-style music, wisecrackin' rats and beating up old people in the promising video, so there's no reason it won't be totally awesome. Look out for Reality 2.0 in Q3 2008.%Gallery-23759%
E308: Finding clues in Sam & Max screens
Not a PC gamer, eh? Don't worry -- one of the best (and funniest) PC adventure games is heading Wii-ward this August. There's not much that Telltale or Dreamcatcher can reveal about Sam & Max: Season One, considering it's a port and all. To make up for it, though, they tossed in some fresh screens for adventure fiends to check out.They're in our gallery below, so hit that up for new pics.%Gallery-23759%
Agatha Christie burns us all with Evil Under the Sun
A good murder calls for a glass of fine wine, a monocle and perhaps a strapping butler, ready to answer all questions concerning dastardly deeds. Luckily for adventure fans, Agatha Christie is happy to deliver mountains of murder, mystery and intrigue with the upcoming PC port of Evil Under the Sun.Followers of the adventure series will know that And Then There Were None was ported to the Wii a while ago with mixed results. However, the recent revival of point-and-click games on the Wii is incredibly refreshing, as it gives developers inspiration to create new, interesting storylines to accompany the solid gameplay mechanics.Evil Under the Sun tells the story of master detective Hercule Poirot as he goes about solving a murder case on a sunny island -- hence, the evil being under the sun. The game comes out in October this year; plenty of time to brush up on Agatha Christie history in preparation.[Via press release]
JoWooD announces Yoga Wii for Q2 2009
Pictured: Wii Fit JoWooD Productions has announced Yoga Wii (not to be confused with Wii Yoga), coming second quarter of 2009 for the Nintendo Wii. The game will support the Balance Board as, according to the press release, "it plays a central role for the exercising (gaming) experience." No other details or assets are currently available. We expect this to be the first of many no-brainer yoga titles coming to the Wii for the next decade or two.[Via NWF]
Music Monstars Watch: Public Domain Edition
Developer Novarama has uploaded more videos of Music Monstars to YouTube, this time featuring music that is less ... contemporary. Our guess is that Novarama and publisher Tivola saved on the budget by mining the public domain. Two videos feature "Can Can" ("Orpheus in the Underworld") -- one in an easy mode, and one, seen above, played in hard mode. Another features a remix of Pachelbel's Canon that sounds distinctly like the soundtrack for a roller-disco wedding.As long as the final game still has "The Final Countdown" in it, anything else on the card will be little more than a pleasant distraction anyway.
