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Android Honeycomb / Motorola Xoom hands-ons: widgets, Grocery IQ, and Monster Madness (video)
Fully-functional Xooms with complete (or seemingly complete) builds of Honeycomb are out in force here at Google's event in Mountain View today, and a bunch of partners are hanging out to demonstrate the tablet apps they've been working on. We checked out both Monster Madness -- a game that's been on Xbox 360 and PS3 for some time -- and Grocery IQ, both of which obviously bring very different experiences to the table (unless you consider grocery shopping "a game," which some of us admittedly do). Though we thought we detected some stuttering and lag from Monster Madness when it was demoed on stage, the experience up close and in person was much smoother -- definitely 100 percent playable. We double-checked and confirmed that the tablet game is a 100 percent content port from the console games, you're not missing anything here. It features three control modes that let you toggle between two on-screen analog sticks, one stick, and a fully accelerometer-based mode that most users probably won't consider practical because you've got to tilt the screen too much. Interestingly, the developer noted that there's a low-res mode that he actually toggled in an area of the game with a lot of water because it tends to slow down, despite the fact that it's running on Unreal Engine and is fully optimized for multiple cores. Could it be that game studios are already pushing the limits of this hardware from day one? Moving onto Grocery IQ, it's basically a fancy shopping list with coupons -- it's already on both iOS and Android phones, and odds are good you already know what it is. What was really interesting, though, was that we got a full demo of "application fragment" layout switching between landscape and portrait views (the app has a two-pane view for tablets) and the process of adding and removing widgets. As with some of the first-party widgets we've seen, Grocery IQ seems to have done a good job making its widgets visually rich and engaging -- particularly the coupon browser, which appears as a stack of rotating coupons with color graphics. See videos of both products after the break!
Two Worlds publisher obtains $12.9m in funding
SouthPeak Games, publisher of Two Worlds as well as the uber-cute DS title Ninjatown, has secured an impressive $12.9 million in private funding. As reported by VC blog VentureBeat's Dean Takahashi, the financing is particularly interesting given that most investments of this sort are directed at the online games, virtual worlds or social networks, rather than the more traditional console and PC game space that SouthPeak calls home.The company will have no shortage of projects on which to blow its newfound cash, with a number of other titles on deck including XBLA puzzler Roogoo, Monster Madness: Grave Danger for the PS3, and The Temptation, which is totally not-an-expansion to Two Worlds. With multiple sequels planned, Takahashi also notes that the pub sees last year's Xbox 360 and PC RPG as its biggest success to date, though it's a sentiment obviously measured in something other than review scores.
SouthPeak tries again with Monster Madness: Grave Danger
Despite its obvious throwback to office fave Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Artificial Studios' Monster Madness:Battle for Suburbia was among our biggest disappointments of 2007, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with sordid gameplay mired in controls that were barely serviceable. Whether this was due to having jumped engines mid-stride, or something as simple as falling asleep at the development wheel, the game's release was quickly – and thankfully – forgotten. It seems, however, that some lessons are hard learned, as publisher SouthPeak today reminded us that the top-down multiplayer shooter is heading to the PlayStation 3 in the second quarter, this time brandishing a new name, Monster Madness: Grave Danger, as well as "a number of new and improved features." There is that thing that mom (or was it Great White?) used tell us about being once bitten twice shy, though the pub's promise that based on player feedback "every Zombie, Werewolf and Vampire has been recalled to square one" is, at least on the surface, encouraging. Among the changes are "completely reconstructed" camera angles, tighter controls, and updated graphics, as well as new costumes and multiplayer modes. The game will also include online co-op throughout the story mode, something that was sorely missing the first time around. Also noteworthy is that Grave Danger is being handled by a different developer, Psyonix Studios, though we can't help but think that the devs must feel like they arrived late to the party under strict instructions to clean up a mess they didn't even make.%Gallery-15410%
Monster Madness patch aims to fix flaws
Way back in April, we tried out the Monster Madness demo and walked away less than impressed. What was present in the game wasn't bad, but it definitely had issues. Particularly, the game had serious camera and control issues, which made the demo much more difficult than it had to be. It looks like the developers have taken many of the game's criticisms (we weren't the only ones who made them) and addressed them in a title update available now on Xbox Live. SouthPeak informs us that the update includes several tweaks to the gameplay but the biggest change is definitely a revamped control scheme and camera. You may recall (but probably don't) our major gripe with the demo: "the directional aiming is constant. In other words, if your character is facing left, he keeps facing left until you adjust the right stick. It works fine for ranged weapons, but it's a pain to have to manually aim a melee weapon." The new control scheme makes it so the camera and character point in the same direction as the left stick, which is definitely a step in the right direction. Find a complete list of the other changes after the break.Those out there with the game, let us know what you think of the changes.
Circuit City offers up all kinds of deals
This week Circuit City is offering all kinds of deals, some we've seen before while others are new. But be sure to note that most (if not all) are in-store only deals, so let's get to it. This week they brought back two deals including the two free HD DVD offer with the purchase of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player and the 4' tall Master Chief wall graphic with a Halo 3 preorder. For new deals we have a free tshirt with the purchase of Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia and an offer for our PC fanboys. This week you can get Halo 2 Vista for $39.99 and with the purchase you'll get Shadowrun Vista for free! Two PC games for $40, not too shabby at all. So, that's it and be sure to remember that most of these deals aren't available online. Happy spending!
Shipping this week: scary silver ninjas edition
Oh how far we have come. Only two weeks ago we had high profile games like Shadowrun and Forza Motorsport 2 descending on our Xboxen. Hell, we even had the Halo 3 beta. This week we get, um, Tenchu Z, Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia, and yet another movie tie-in (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, if you must know). We pretty much had our minds made up about Tenchu Z since our Japanese buddy let us try out its Japanese counterpart, Tenchu Senran, nearly a year ago. It wasn't spectacular then, and it's not made any better with the addition of English subtitles. It's possible that Monster Madness has made significant strides since its demo released (and after a few delays), but we're not holding our breath. And then we have a game based on a sequel to a mediocre movie.Call us conspiracy theorists, but we think the releases over the last few weeks are part of a maniacal Microsoft plot to sell more copies of Shadowrun and Forza 2.
New Maps for Monster Madness
Xbox Live Marketplace has two new multiplayer maps available for Monster Madness, both costing 200 Microsoft points individually. The first is a 4v4 Capture the Flag level called Zack's House, and is a close quarters indoor map. The second map is called High School and is fit for 16 players, and has opportunities for vehicular combat outside, with close quarters action inside. Does this float anyone's boat, and do you think the 200 MS points is a fair price for each map?
Shipping this week: BAMF! edition
It's a pretty big week for the Xbox 360. This week we see the release of two of Microsoft's major releases for the summer, Shadowrun and Forza Motorsport 2. Not only that, but also get Monster Madness and Surf's Up. You know, on second thought, maybe we should just stick to the first two. Honestly, the big question for 360 gamers this week is whether the choose Forza or Shadowrun. Given that these are two different games that appeal to two different kinds of gamers, it's not likely to be a tough choice though.So, do you plan on picking up any of these games?%Gallery-3497%
Monster Madness demo gets an update
For the firstest time ever a demo is receiving an Xbox Live update treatment. Major Nelson sends word that the Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia demo has been updated to fix the matchmaking issues, but sadly, not the control scheme. And since most everyone is a tad underwhelmed by the game, we're not sure how many will even see the update. But no matter, it's updated. Also, developer Jeremy from Artificial Studios will be online tonight and tomorrow playing the Monster Madness demo. Maybe you could play a few games with him and he'll turn you into a full blown Monster Madness fanboy. Maybe ...
Oh the madness! Monster Madness delayed
This past week, GamingTalkHQ got on the horn with Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia developer SouthPeak Games and learned that the game was being delayed again. According to them, Monster Madness will miss its scheduled May 15th release, getting pushed back to May 29th. GamingTalkHQ also goes on to say that there will be an official announcement coming within' a week or so.Anyone play the demo, are eagerly awaiting the game, and a little bummed about the rumored delay? Or will you be too busy playing a little thing we call the Halo 3 beta?
Monster Madness to scare up fun on the Wii?
When I was at E3 last year, I got the chance to play Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia for a good 15 minutes with the developers of the game. It was a blast throughout, and while I could fill up this whole post talking about what I liked and didn't like about the game, that wouldn't exactly help any of you out. Just know it's good.So good that a port to the Wii would be a natural choice for Artificial Studios, the developers behind the title. Jeremy Stieglitz, president, thinks just like us as he confirmed in an interview with Eurogamer that they are currently looking at other systems to bring their title to. Jeremy said they "would love to bring Monster Madness to other platforms. We're definitely looking into possible PS3 and Wii versions, but I can't say anything definite just yet." Sounds good to us, but we've played it. For those of you who haven't played it, check out the Wiki (you can also visit the official site here) and let us know what you think!
Monster Madness: a little too scary
We had planned on posting these impressions yesterday, but we were just swamped in Oblivion paperwork. A Monster Madness demo dropped yesterday, and we were raring to give it a go. Being big fans of dungeon crawlers like Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and more recent titles like Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, we were excited to give Monster Madness a go. A typical dungeon crawler with a twist of horror movie camp? Sounds great. At least, it did.
Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia demo on XBL
You probably didn't go to bed praying for this news, but we're going to tell you anyway -- there's a demo for Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia available to Gold subscribers on Xbox Live Marketplace. No, the demo's invitation to "experience frantic cooperative game play" as "four players can team up on one Xbox 360 to slash, shoot, and drive through a menagerie of monsters" may not blow your skirt up, but hey, if it does, let it never be said that Joystiq doesn't have your best interests at heart.Also, it's free and 435 MB, so what harm could it do to download it, give it a spin, then comment here with your thoughts? Oh, us? No, no, we won't be doing that. We'd love to, but we're, uhh ... still absorbing the Shrek the Third demo. Yeah, that's the ticket.
Monster Madness demo scares XBLM
Having missed its April 3rd release date, a new demo has arrived for Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia. The game is a top down hack n' slash in the style of Gauntlet and Raven's recent Marvel games. Players take control of one of four different stereotypical horror movie characters (our favorite is Jennifer, the requisite hottie) and proceed to wreak havoc on hordes of monsters. The enemies, like the playable characters, are pulled from the horror movie lexicon as well. Expect vampires, mummies, and werewolves for example. The game also utilizes a parts system that allows different weapons to be created. Finally up to 16 players will be able to play online in co-op and competitive modes.So, get to downloading already. We'll post our impressions of the demo later today.
Monster Madness gets a date
April 3rd has been nailed down as the release date for Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia. Created by Artificial Studios, Monster Madness is a top down brawler in the tradition of Gauntlet and the recent Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. We really like the concept: kill stereotypical monster archetypes as stereotypical horror movie teenagers. However, the video of the game on Marketplace left something to be desired. Still, games like this aren't necessarily communicated well in a video, so we're hoping the game is as interesting as its premise. Monster Madness promises cooperative and versus multiplayer for up to 16 players over Xbox Live, so there is plenty of potential. The ability to create weapons should add to the fun as well. Here's hoping Monster Madness delivers.
New Monster Madness video and screens
It looks like some new screenshots and a video of upcoming Xbox 360 game Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia were released yesterday. From what we can see in the (overly compressed) YouTube video is that the game is fast paced, cartoonish, and full of death. Thank god for the clearer screenshots, but we must say that they are leaving us wanting a little more from the graphics department. Though, we're thinking the game's gameplay, multiplayer, and "build your own weapon" bullet points will be enough to get people interested. Take a peak at the video, check out the screenshots after the jump, make a judgement, and share your opinion. To love the monsters or not ... the choice is yours.[Via Joystiq]
