killer-instinct-2013
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Divekick dev Iron Galaxy to continue work on Killer Instinct
Amazon's acquisition of Double Helix won't end development on Killer Instinct. Instead, developer Iron Galaxy has been tapped to pick up where Double Helix left off. Though not as prominent a name as Capcom or Bandai Namco, Iron Galaxy does have solid fighting game credentials backing this decision. The developer's most prominent, original work was on polarizing fighter Divekick, though it's also had a hand in games such as Marvel Vs Capcom: Origins, Darkstalkers Resurrection and Street Fighter 3: Third Strike Online Edition. That said, Killer Instinct is easily the studio's most notable project to date. "This is an amazing opportunity to work on a game and a genre we are super passionate about," said Iron Galaxy CEO Dave Lang in an interview with Polygon. "Before we were ever talking about this, I was a fan of the game. And to get to now take it over and start with this great base, and expand it and put new stuff on top of it, everyone in the company is super pumped up, and we can't wait to show people what we're going to be doing down the road." Before Iron Galaxy takes the reins, Double Helix still has one last burst of content in store for Killer Instinct fans. Come April 9, fan-favorite cyborg Fulgore will join the cast and to properly whet your appetites, Killer Instinct publisher Microsoft has issued the trailer you see above. [Image: Microsoft]
Rumor: Take a look at Amazon's Bluetooth gamepad
The photo seen above may be the first public look at an Amazon-branded, Bluetooth video game controller, assuming the Brazilian equivalent of the American Federal Communications Commission is to be trusted. That image, and the others in the gallery below, come courtesy of Zatz Not Funny, a tech blog that discovered the photos among the other listings on Anatel (.pdf). As you can see, it bears the familiar Amazon logo, a typical complement of buttons (including media controls), and a final button square in the center of the device that, as Engadget points out, resembles a monochrome take on the Amazon GameCircle logo. Specific tech specs on the controller are lacking, but we do know that it connects via Bluetooth and is powered by two AA batteries. What the potential existence of this controller means is in question, but Engadget believes Amazon is "probably making a game console." Given the creation of Amazon Game Studios in 2012 and the company's recent acquisition of Killer Instinct developer Double Helix, that possibility may not be so far-fetched, though any such device is likely a long way off. [Image: Anatel]
Killer Instinct soundtrack coming in March, composer reveals
Following in the bloody, contused footprints of its predecessors, the recent Killer Instinct reboot will be receiving its own soundtrack album, yet again dubbed Killer Cuts, this March. Composer Mick Gordon broke the news during a recent Killer Instinct stream hosted by YouTube personality Maximilian. "Killer Cuts: around the end of March dudes!" Gordon wrote, adding "You heard it here first!" Killer Instinct fans then sought out Gordon on Twitter to ask for confirmation of his earlier claims which Gordon met with a simple, "yes." Later Gordon issued a tweet asking fans for suggestions on what tunes to include on this latest edition of Killer Cuts. Gordon has offered no further details on the soundtrack album, leaving fans to wonder about its price and how the music will be released. The original Killer Instinct and its sequel saw their Killer Cuts pressed to standard audio CDs, but that was before .mp3s and digital distribution made physical media a moribund concept. Update: Microsoft has contacted us to offer an official comment: "The soundtrack for Killer Instinct is something that we would love to bring to our fans. While we are not confirming when this would be available at this time, we can say that it is something we want to offer in the future. Stay tuned for more news and more Fulgore." [Image: Microsoft]
Killer Instinct patch to help fighters avoid Jail time
Spinal's introduction to the Killer Instinct roster hasn't been as smooth as Microsoft would've hoped. After adding the character and a new "Jail" feature, where players who habitually disconnect from online matches get paired up with similarly unstable brawlers, players started experiencing consistent game crashes. An upcoming patch from Double Helix hopes to mitigate these issues. Double Helix says all Killer Instinct "Jail" stats will be wiped by the patch, and that the designated threshold for tossing a player in jail will be raised. Another bug where both players would be sent to "Jail," even when only one of them purposefully disconnected, will be squashed. This patch will also fix Spinal's teleportation move, a major cause for the game crashes and de-synchronization that has plagued online matches recently. A bug preventing players from retaining progress will also be addressed and perfectly executing an Ultra Combo will soon guarantee a match win in Killer Instinct. Double Helix hasn't said exactly when this patch will be available on Xbox One. Killer Instinct's next and final season one character, Fulgore, is due in March. Hopefully his addition doesn't yield as many issues as his boney post-launch counterpart.
Microsoft to announce new 'development partner' for Killer Instinct
Microsoft plans to unveil a new "development partner" for Killer Instinct soon, following yesterday's acquisition of Double Helix by Amazon. Double Helix developed Killer Instinct on Xbox One, and the Irvine Studio was bringing regular updates to the fighter as part of the first season content. In a statement provided to Polygon, Microsoft said it'll be working with a new team on the franchise, but left it unclear whether that pertains to the Xbox One game's first season, the expected second season, future games, or a mixture of the three. "We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Double Helix and wish them success in their next endeavor," a Microsoft spokesperson told Polygon. "We want all of our loyal fans to know that the Killer Instinct team at Microsoft is not changing and that the franchise will remain with Microsoft Studios. We remain dedicated to delivering a great experience and plan to announce our new development partner soon. We're excited about the future of this popular franchise." As it stands, the revived fighter's next update is due next month, when it's set to receive classic combatant Fulgore as an addition to the roster. [Image: Microsoft]
No bones about it, Spinal joins Killer Instinct cast
Spinal, the first downloadable addition to the Killer Instinct roster has arrived, lending the anemic fighting game a bit more depth - or at least a few more bones to break. While the Xbox One Killer Instinct is extremely light on backstory, the first two Killer Instinct games claim that Spinal is the reanimated skeleton of a long-dead warrior. Ultratech, the firm responsible for funding the Killer Instinct tournaments, revived the skeletonic fighter to serve as something of an undead goon, wreaking havoc in the tournament and ensuring that Ultratech's wishes were carried out. According to Xbox Wire, this new design for the character draws inspiration from classic Harryhausen adventure film Jason and the Argonauts, which is fitting given that the ending of the original Killer Instinct claimed that Spinal eventually left the world of combat sports in favor of a career as an Oscar-nominated actor. Those who purchased the Killer Instinct Ultra Edition bundle or Combo Breaker Pack are now able to download Spinal at no additional charge. Everyone else will need to pony up $5 for the calcified revenant.
Killer Instinct's next free-to-play fighter is Thunder
The Killer Instinct free-to-play character tour continues with Chieftain Thunder replacing the vicious furry Sabrewulf as the gratis brawler in Double Helix's Xbox One revival. Thunder wields devastating tomahawks in the reimagining of the arcade and SNES cult hit, which features a handful of characters from the original game in the series. Since launching alongside Microsoft's Xbox One in November, the free-to-play character slot has rotated three combatants into the fray, first offering players a taste of the action with fan favorite Jago. Killer Instinct offers players the opportunity to purchase characters individually for $5 or as a bundle featuring the game's first eight characters, beginning at $20. Currently only six fighters are available, with returning characters Spinal coming soon and Fulgore coming in March.
Killer Instinct's Spinal is no skin, all bones in first screens
Spinal is set to be added to Killer Instinct's roster later this month. In anticipation of the new character, Microsoft has dropped some screens showing off the malnourished combatant's updated design – except for his tried-and-true headband that is. Some things never go out of style.
Killer Instinct's free character is now Sabrewulf
Double Helix has dropped a new patch on Xbox One fighter Killer Instinct, rotating out Jago for Sabrewulf in the free-to-play version of the game. If you're rocking the free-to-play version and want to go back to Jago, you'll have to drop $5 to unlock him. The patch also includes a host of general fixes – like squashing a bug that would erase player data when signing in with Kinect and updating the ranking system to allow for quicker progression and fewer demerits for losing online matches. There's also a few fixes for some previously unblockable conditions, which you can read about in the full, in-depth patch notes over on the Double Helix forums. Killer Instinct was a launch game for Microsoft's Xbox One console. While the current roster is only comprised of six fighters, Double Helix has promised at least two more: Spinal is expected to appear sometime this month, while Fulgore will join the cast in March. Following all of Double Helix's planned season one content, an Arcade mode will be added to the game.
Rumor: Killer Instinct dev now working on futuristic shooter
Double Helix recently launched the Xbox One-exclusive Killer Instinct and is currently at work on a Strider revival, yet thanks to some online resumé snooping, it appears that the studio also has a futuristic action game in the works. Earlier this month, OXM discovered an image in the CG Society page of Double Helix artist James Paick. That image is partially shown above, and as you can see it doesn't look like anything from Killer Instinct. It could be a Strider asset, though further evidence seems to negate that possibility. Allen Will describes himself as a senior visual effects artist at Double Helix on his LinkedIn page. That upcoming Strider reboot is listed in his credits, though directly below that we see "Unannounced Action Shooter," a game slated for release on next-generation consoles and the PC platform. Though Will's description of his duties does little to describe this mystery game, he does partially describe his role in the game's creation: "Development of high quality textures/particles for various effects such as smoke, energy, plasma, disintegration, electricity and explosions using third party software such as Maya fluids and photoshop and proprietary tools." Further, Will claims that he "Researched and conceptualized the look for explosions and rifle based weapon effects as well as organic/humanoid weapons, melee and character effects." Plasma? Disintegration? Rifle-based weapon effects deployed against organic and inorganic targets? That certainly sounds like a futuristic shooter, but until Double Helix opts to officially announce its next game, we remain in the dark.
Fulgore joins Killer Instinct's playable roster in March
A launch trailer for the Xbox One free-to-download fighting game Killer Instinct revealed that classic fighter Fulgore will join the fray in March, emerging as the game's eighth playable character and rounding out its first season of planned content updates. Fulgore first appeared in 1994's Killer Instinct, then later made appearances in the arcade follow-up Killer Instinct 2 and Nintendo 64 conversion Killer Instinct Gold. Fellow Killer Instinct veterans T.J. Combo, Cinder and Riptor are still missing in action, but are likely candidates for the Xbox One reboot's upcoming second season of content.
Killer Instinct review: Content breaker
We'll be rolling out Xbox One review coverage all the way through launch on November 22. Read all of our coverage right here! Killer Instinct isn't finished yet. It's an attempt to get players to buy into a promise that the full game is still on the way, that investing now will guarantee an experience on par with other fighting games – eventually. Right now, there's little else aside from training, survival and online modes. There isn't a story mode or an arcade mode, though the latter is promised for the future. There are only six fighters, with two more to come during the game's first season of content. As it stands, Killer Instinct is a streamlined fighter designed as a far-reaching modular experience, which highlights one of its key problems: a dearth of content.
Killer Instinct Classic includes two arcade revisions, only available in KI Ultra Edition
The DLC-bundled Ultra Edition of Microsoft's upcoming Killer Instinct reboot for the Xbox One will feature two versions of Rare's 1994 arcade Killer Instinct, Siliconera reports. Producer Torin Retting revealed that Killer Instinct Classic will feature both the original arcade version (v1.4) and the upgraded ROM revision 1.5D, which fixes a number of glitches and infinite combos discovered after the game's initial release. The port will also feature CRT-emulating scanline options, a training mode, and sprite galleries. Retting additionally notes that Killer Instinct Classic will only be included in Killer Instinct's Ultra Edition and boxed Pin Ultimate Edition, and will not be sold separately.
Killer Instinct picks up Arcade Mode after wrapping up Season One content
While the Xbox One reboot of Killer Instinct will launch with local and online multiplayer modes, players will need to wait until Microsoft launches all of its planned Season One content before they can grapple with AI-controlled opponents in a forthcoming Arcade mode. The series' traditional Arcade mode -- which pits players against all of the game's fighters in a series of one-on-one matches -- will unlock after the full roster of eight Season One characters is released, Microsoft Studios game designer Daniel Fornace revealed in an interview with OXM this week. The game will include six characters when it premieres on November 22, and two additional characters will round out the Season One lineup post-launch. As consolation for Arcade mode's omission, players can beat up on endless waves of CPU opponents in a score-based Survival mode when Killer Instinct hits the Xbox Live Marketplace as a free-to-play download later this month.
Take a closer look at Killer Instinct's spider lady, Sadira
Killer Instinct's roster isn't all returning faces. Sadira, the spider-like lady detailed in the trailer above, is the game's first new character. She's an acrobatic brawler whose primary weapons are a pair of bladed gauntlets. It also looks like she spends a majority of her time in a dark cave, which would explain her incredibly pale complexion.
Microsoft: Gamerscore, Xbox Live tenure influenced Xbox One gift selection
Earlier today, social media was abuzz with reports of individuals claiming Microsoft had gifted them the entire Killer Instinct roster, free of charge. Others, including OperationSports writer Bishop Tart, mentioned that Microsoft has even promised a free Xbox One console. But what makes one eligible for such a gift? Without going into too much detail, a Microsoft representative told Joystiq that, naturally, selection was fueled by individuals' Gamerscore and length of time on Xbox Live. Being an Xbox customer also helps. In a statement to Joystiq, the Microsoft representative said the company "considered a variety of things including Gamerscore and Xbox Live tenure, as well as other factors in markets where Xbox One is available." Some Microsoft MVPs, non-employed evangelists of the Microsoft brand, have been selected, but it would appear even regular schmoes are also eligible too. "Through this program, we're rewarding some of our biggest fans around the world," the statement added. Unfortunately, Microsoft couldn't offer us any more detail on the program or just how many individuals have been selected to receive a gift; however, some "customers have received email messages with additional information" on how to claim their gifts already. The Xbox One launches across 13 different markets on November 22.
Microsoft gifting complete Killer Instinct roster to select Xbox users
Microsoft is giving away all the Killer Instinct characters to select Xbox users, effectively unlocking the game in full (minus costumes and accessories it seems). Hundreds of social media users are reporting their Christmases have come early, after they received emails from Microsoft telling them they'll get the full roster of fighters as a freebie. The Xbox One launch game is otherwise a free download with one character unlocked. The seven remaining characters are priced $5 each, and there's a $20 all-in-one bundle that unlocks all eight fighters, including two extra ones not initially available. The giveaway isn't limited to Killer Instinct, because a seemingly much smaller group of users is getting the console itself completely free. Just a few Twitter users at the time of writing, including some Microsoft MVPs, are reporting they've received a code today that entitles them to a free Xbox One - just like that. For the record, Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals) are not company employees, but people who've been recognized by Microsoft for "their exceptional achievements in technical communities." Microsoft's official Xbox Support Twitter accounts have confirmed the emails for both the Killer Instinct and the Xbox One freebies are legit. We've reached out to Microsoft to confirm the specifics of what's going on, and who exactly is entitled to receive what. We're not seeing any obvious rhyme or reason to the people receiving the Killer Instinct freebies, but if you were one of the lucky ones, please let us know in the comments. If not, come give us a hug, because we'll get through this.
Orchid and Spinal teased as next Killer Instinct fighters
Classic combatants Orchid and Spinal are set to join the playable roster in Double Helix's rebooted Killer Instinct for the Xbox One, the developer revealed in a recent IGN preview video. The assassin-and-skeleton pair bring Killer Instinct's playable cast up to seven characters, joining Jago, Sabrewulf, Glacius, Chief Thunder, and newcomer Sadira. Remaining '90s Killer Instinct fighters Fulgore, Cinder, Riptor, and TJ Combo are still missing in action, but may reappear as part of the reboot's planned second season of content. Killer Instinct will be available as a free-to-play launch title for the Xbox One featuring a single playable character. The game's full roster can be unlocked via optional add-on purchases.
Limited Killer Instinct boxed version holds pins instead of a disc
Killer Instinct, the Xbox One-exclusive fighting game based on the 90s classic of the same name, is getting a boxed edition for $59.99, available only through the Microsoft store. There will be no disc within said box however, as the "Pin Ultimate Edition" is a joint venture between Microsoft and Penny Arcade designed for displaying Pinny Arcade trading pins. Each copy of the Pin Ultimate Edition comes with one Jago pin and one Killer Instinct logo pin, with room for others, which will be revealed during the game's first season of content. Customers who purchase the Pin Ultimate Edition of Killer Instinct still get the game. A download voucher for the Ultra Edition of the game, which includes all Season 1 characters, a season pass for all costumes and accessory packs, early access to all Season 1 content and a copy of the original Killer Instinct will be included. The case will double as a folio for a 16-pin set designed by Mike "Gabe" Krahulik. The Pin Ultimate Edition's page doesn't specify how many units are being produced, but pin designer Krahulik wrote in a Penny Arcade post that it's "not a lot." Pre-orders are currently live through the Microsoft Store.
Killer Instinct FightStick for Xbox One is up for preorder
A Killer Instinct-branded version of Mad Catz's forthcoming, Xbox One-flavored Tournament Edition 2 FightStick is up for pre-order on the peripheral manufacturer's official shop. At $200, the extent of the stick's Killer Instinct-ness appears to be its artwork, which can easily be removed and replaced thanks to the TE2's removable bezel. Otherwise, the stick features all of the bells and whistles touted by the prototype we first saw at E3: Sanwa-Denshi parts, multi-setting LED lighting effects, removable cable, easy access to the sticks innards and an onboard screwdriver with swappable heads. The Killer Instinct Tournament Edition 2 FightStick launches alongside the Xbox One on November 22.
