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Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure now on Steam
The Collective's 2006 graffiti-tagging platformer Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure gets a new lease on life this week thanks to a surprise Steam release engineered by Hotline Miami publisher Devolver Digital. Getting Up tells a tale in which enterprising graffiti artist Trane sets out to make his mark on the New Radius Slums. Along the way, his crew battles a government-issued task force ordered to shoot graffiti taggers on sight. Harsh. Gameplay mixes Prince of Persia-styled parkour and urban exploration with graffiti-tagging mechanics that recall Jet Set Radio. Fashion designer and game licensor Marc Ecko expressed a desire to head up a sequel as recently as 2009, but to date, no news regarding a follow-up has emerged.
Not getting up: Ecko's Macbeth game dispatched
Seeing as how the whole "Macbeth with gunz" thing has already been done (see: movie starring Aussie heartthrob Sam Worthington, above), we're ever so curious to learn more about Marc Ecko's canned game concept for a "completely re-imagined Macbeth." Unfortunately, the famed clothing designer -- turned failed game designer -- has his lips sealed. "I don't want to give it away," Ecko told Destructoid, after admitting that the rumored project was at least, in some form, quite real. Sadly, we're left to contemplate what could have been from a single, proposed gameplay mechanic: "cutting people's heads off." Surely, Shakespeare's inclusion of only one, climactic beheading -- and "off stage" at that -- in the accepted original Macbeth was merely a limitation of the special effects of the playwright's day. Just imagine how much more epic Renaissance works could be as video games ... Oh, right.
Automated Xbox Live Marketplace blog now available
We try to do our best to keep you updated as to all the interesting new content on Xbox Live Marketplace. But if you have a creepy level of interest in draping your Avatar in the very latest Marc Ecko gear before all your friends, you'll want to bookmark this new Microsoft blog that automagically posts whenever new content is added to the store. Just think, if you had been following it already, you could have beaten us to this Cool Papa G coat. But instead, you have to live with being "that guy who stole Joystiq's taste in coats." It's kind of sad, now that we think about it. Here, you take the Cool Papa G coat. No, we insist.
Marc Ecko wants more Getting Up, says Atari 's**t the bed'
When you're in the fashion biz like Marc Ecko you gotta be out there on the edge. So when he tells Destructoid that he's "going to f***ing make [Getting Up] again if it kills me," thereby distinguishing himself not only as the sole living human to want that, but as the only one who remembers it existed, you have to forgive him. He's got to be out there on the edge. Of course, Ecko then goes on to claim that the reason for the game's failure was that "Atari shit the bed." C'mon Marc, saying Atari bungled something is like the opposite of edgy. It's just obvious.
Marc Ecko Master Chief hoodie almost wearable
We have to admit that, upon first glance, the Marc Ecko Master Chief hoodie is not one of the ugliest things ever created. In fact it even appears somewhat sensible. It looks like something one could wear in public without feeling like a complete tool. The color scheme isn't garish, the UNSC branding on the left sleeve is subtle enough that it doesn't scream out "NERD!" and ... oh wait, what's this? On the right arm ... is that the UNSC logo ... ? Or ... is it ... oh dear God ....
iPhone It In: Dexter
Some iPhone games offer a simplistic getaway for gamers on the move, while others throw everything at you including the kitchen sink. Dexter: The Game manages to combine a lengthy story based on the television program's first season with a slew of mini games, and while some of the tasks are strangely incomprehensible, Dexter's video game debut is a solid overall experience. %Gallery-46227%
Sucker Punch looking for an artist hip to 'urban style'
When we read on superannuation that Sucker Punch was looking for a lead character artist -- one that "should be aware of current urban style and street fashion" -- we, like you, thought, "Oh, that's nice, Sucker Punch is making another inFamous game." But, since we're professionals, we went beyond our first instinct to see what else we could come up with. We then decided that we were pretty sure about the inFamous thing after all. So remember, if Sucker Punch is making a sequel to Marc Ecko's Getting Up (which has got to be called Marc Ecko's Going Back to Bed) or a new Jet Grind Radio, you saw the possibility roundly dismissed on Joystiq first.
New Dexter trailer pushes iPhone's visual (and moral) boundaries
We use our iPhones for a wide variety of purposes: Keeping our enthralled Twitter audience informed, playing Home Run Derby MMOs, dueling with virtual lightsabers -- those sorts of things. We've never used it to play mobile murder simulators -- but by the look of the above trailer for Icarus Studios' Dexter, we'll be doing just that when the first episode of the game hits the App Store later this summer.Though it still seems to contain the scattershot gameplay that we saw earlier this year at GDC, it looks amazing for an iPhone game. If you're a fan of the show (and by all means, you should be), it might just be worth checking out.
New Halo-themed Ecko shirts rival everything for ugliest anything, ever
Ecko Unlimited has revealed a series of six extremely overpriced Halo-themed t-shirts, and boy are they ugly. To demonstrate, here is a list of things not as ugly as the shirts in the series: The Florida Recount Bill Nighy's "Davy Jones" in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End The Nazi at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark Sonic the Hedgehog's Metacritic average Tron Guy The ending of Halo 2 They aren't just ugly, they are a kind of genetically altered super-ugly and you should never buy them.[Thanks, Michael]
CrimeCraft to be sold exclusively for North America at Best Buy
One of the titles gamers can look forward to this summer is CrimeCraft, a hybrid of a shooter and urban MMO from Vogster Entertainment, to be published by THQ Inc. in August. Vogster and THQ have taken a somewhat surprising step towards distribution of CrimeCraft in North America; the title will be sold exclusively at Best Buy, either in-store or online. The exclusivity of this deal may bring some perks to CrimeCraft players. The official release states: "Consumers who purchase CrimeCraft at Best Buy will receive two months of free play time and a number of exclusive in-game items, including two in-game t-shirts from acclaimed real-world fashion labels and a combat backpack for their avatar. Gamers will also receive a virtual Best Buy discount card that allows them to purchase in-game items at a reduced cost. Those gamers pre-ordering CrimeCraft via Best Buy retail stores or online at www.bestbuy.com, will additionally receive virtual in-game shoes from Ecko Unltd., created by fashion icon Marc Ecko, access to play the pre-release version of the game during beta, and three days' head start at the game's launch."Pre-orders begin on May 31st (online) or on June 7th (in stores). CrimeCraft is still slated for an August 25th launch.%Gallery-48843%
GDC09: Dexter hands-on (iPhone)
A light drama about a heroic serial killer may not seem like the most natural fit for a game adaptation, but Marc Ecko VP Marc Fernandez couldn't ignore the opportunity as he watched Dexter.Fernandez told us at GDC that he felt like the show was almost set up like a game, with the titular murderer researching each kill, setting them up and finally executing on the mission. It's madness, sure. But, as in any good game, there are rules.%Gallery-46227%
Dexter game not exclusive to iPhone, Feb. 2009 release planned
Shouldn't a game about a serial killer ... killer be on gaming platforms other than the iPhone? That's what we were thinking when Marc Ecko made that surprise announcement at this year's Comic Con. Well, looks like the upcoming Dexter game is expanding to at least one other platform besides Apple's touch device: the PC.A Dexter-themed party held by Marc Ecko Entertainment gave us an opportunity to talk with Ecko's creative VP, Marc Fernandez, and Phil Hall, production VP at developer Icarus Studios. The two confirmed their plans to bring Showtime's lovable serial killer to other platforms, provided they find success (and money) with their upcoming PC/iPhone release. We're sure fans of the show won't mind playing a Dexter game on their Xbox 360s.While no gameplay footage was available at the event, we did get to see some renders taken from the iPhone version of the game (pictured above). The environments look very impressive, and remind us how powerful the iPhone truly is. However, without a real gameplay demonstration, we remain skeptical that the iPhone can do justice to the Dexter franchise.
Marc and Dexter: Ecko making iPhone-only slasher
We don't remember Naughty Dog's wise-cracking ottsel brandishing a knife, but hey, we're always open to crazy new ideas. Oh, this is Dexter, the hit Showtime series about a forensics expert who also happens to be a serial killer (of other killers). Whoops.Anyway, IGN has a story out of San Diego Comic-Con 08 that is sure to put a sour puss on anyone who was waiting for a console game based on the show. Ecko, who acquired the rights to Dexter for game-making purposes back in March, revealed during a panel that the game is only coming to iPhone and iPod Touch. It was also revealed that the game will be episodic in nature – hey, like the show! Coincidence, surely. Mr. Ecko is certainly no stranger to spray paint, but blood spray? Start practicing those stabbing motions with your fancy phones, folks ... but just do it in the privacy of your own home for the sake of not looking like a total loon, 'kay?
Serial killer killing killer Dexter getting game
IGN reports that a game based on Dexter will be announced tomorrow by Showtime Networks and Marc Ecko Entertainment. Showtime's Dexter, currently airing (and not-so-badly edited) Sundays on CBS, follows the life of Dexter Morgan, a serial killer who keeps his desires in check by killing other serial killers. There is currently no information on the game's plot, developer, genre, platforms, etc.Just like our favorite serial killing protagonist, we can't help but feel conflicted about this announcement. With any luck, Dexter's video game hunt will find inspiration from games like Hitman or Assassin's Creed without losing the show's sinister personality. Yes, completely unlikely, but we can dream darkly.[Via X3F]
Human Head survives fire, no data loss reported
Early Friday morning (late Thursday night for most), a devastating fire feasted on a historical building in Madison, Wisconsin. Local news coverage identified the multi-use building as home to Human Head Studios, developer of last year's long-incubated shooter Prey. Thankfully, the level designers had been released from their shackles for the night. No one was harmed in the fire.But what of the precious MEE data? Had Marc Ecko's rags-to-renders dream gone up in ... smoke? According to today's update from Human Head, no. "[Though] we suffered some equipment and furniture loss due to smoke and water, we suffered no significant data loss," reports the studio. A temporary relocation plan seems to indicate that Human Head is eager to get back to work on the Ecko-endorsed project, shedding any stigma earned from Prey's 5-year development cycle.
Human Head rolls with Marc Ecko game division
The division of MEE has disclosed a partnership with Human Head Studios to develop an original IP for consoles. While both parties share a recent history of novelty acts (see: Ecko's Getting Up; and Human Head's Prey), neither has succeeded in producing a truly exceptional title. So then, perhaps it's a bit early to trumpet the forthcoming project as a game that will "push the boundaries of entertainment," no? But, as Ecko claims, he's now got "Michael Jordan" on his team. So does that make him Pippen -- or Kwame Brown?Last month, former Human Head CEO Timothy Gerritsen revealed that he had left (in November) because he did not agree with the direction the studio was headed. According to MEE president Mike Lynch, that direction is to "change perceptions of what a game can be." Yackety-yack...
MEE launched, Marc Ecko getting (all) up (in the industry)
Meet 'Mr. MEE Too.' Following Getting Up, his respectable, but flawed foray into the games industry, fashion mogul and game adherent Marc Ecko has founded a new game division, dubbed Marc Ecko Entertainment (MEE). Aided by industry vets Marc Fernandez (ex-Rockstar) and Shawn Rosen (of Acclaim, the defunct one), Mr. Ecko and team will join the hunt for that ever-elusive quality: innovation. At stake, as Ecko puts it, is the chance to "leave an impression" on an emerging industry -- a fitting ambition for an ego-inspired brand.Not wasting any time, MEE has reportedly invested in a new project from one of last year's most-celebrated developers. An official announcement is pending. Suspense ensues...
Atari slashes current gen prices
Beginning next month, Atari will cut prices for all of their current gen console and Game Boy Advance titles. The new $19.99 retail price will also apply to many of the publisher's PC releases. Now you can pick up Indigo Prophecy, Driver: Parallel Lines, and Marc Ecko's Getting Up for twenty bucks each, although games such as Demon Stone have been available at this price point for a while.
Metareview - Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure
Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure is the latest urban action game. A mash up of Jet Set Radio, Prince of Persia, and Grand Theft Auto, there is hardly consensus on the controversial title. A look at some notables: Gamespot (87%) - "It's easy to look at a game that has a non-gamemaking fashion designer's name right in the title and assume that it's going to be some sort of flashy, style-over-substance licensed product, but Atari, The Collective, and Ecko have effectively teamed up here and put together a game that has plenty of flashy style, but is a quality game underneath all that flash." 1UP (70%) - "The worst thing a decent action game can suffer from is bad camera control, and this malady afflicts Getting Up... The game strikes a nice balance between fighting and tagging. Although frequent, the fighting winds up being secondary to advancing the story line. In some missions, it even works out better to evade authorities and simply complete your objective." GamePro (50%) - "Focusing the majority of gameplay attention on the actual art of writing, rather than on a hackneyed up-from-the-streets story, would have been a good start. And, regrettably for Ecko, development just couldn't work the kinks out of the shoddy Getting Up game engine. Frame rate consistently dips to horrific lows, and many in-game objects and actions break frequently during gameplay." The reviews criticize the tempermental camera system and technical glitches, while praising the title's quality voice-acting, solid soundtrack, and immersive graffiti culture. See also:Australia knocks down Marck Ecko's Getting UpMore Joystiq coverage of Getting Up
