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GOG adds Stranger's Wrath, discounts The Longest Journey
GOG is pointing a double-barreled crossbow of delight at us, with a deep discount on The Longest Journey and the addition of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. Departing from the regular Oddworld expectations, Stranger's Wrath is a hybrid of third-person action and first-person shooter, seasoned with elements of the Spaghetti Western and Oddworld touches like the "live" critter ammo. The game is available now on GOG for $9.99. If you'd prefer a sweeping adventure, The Longest Journey is on sale for $3.99. Much like The Neverending Story, we can't vouch for the accuracy of game's title, but it does involve a very long journey, so you'll definitely get your money's worth in this classic point-and-click adventure.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath and Munch's Oddysee coming to PlayStation Vita
Despite being omitted from the grand list of PlayStation Vita developers, Just Add Water hit the Twitters to confirm Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath and Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee will both be on the Vita. Additionally, each game will support cross-platform cloud save functionality.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath inhabits PS3 this summer
Assuming the PlayStation Store is up and running by then, Oddworld Inhabitants plans to release the HD remake of the fantasy-themed third-person shooter Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath on PS3 this summer. Other platforms weren't explicitly mentioned in the latest press release, but developer Just Add Water has previously expressed interest in patching the existing PC version with the PS3 remake's improvements. Oddworld Inhabitants also re-confirmed its intention to release Munch's Oddysee on PSN in the fall. Last month, it pinpointed the PS3 release of the Xbox launch title for October.
Just Add Water working on four Oddworld games for this year
After news surfaced last summer that Gravity Crash developer Just Add Water is working on multiple Oddworld projects, we wondered just what the UK-based dev had up its sleeves. And while we already heard about remakes of Stranger's Wrath headed for PlayStation 3 and Abe's Oddyseey for unknown platforms, a post on the company's official site meant to solicit new talent also revealed that said talent "would be working on various Oddworld Inhabitants-based projects, with four to be released THIS year [their emphasis]." Given that we know of two other Oddworld titles getting remakes -- notably the first and the last of the series -- it stands to reason that Abe's Exoddus and Munch's Oddysee are also getting the HD treatment. Just Add Water is staying mum for now, though, instead choosing to tantalize us with vague blog posts. That said, don't go getting your hopes up for that long awaited new entry in the Oddworld series -- last we heard, it was "on hold." And hey, if you're a programmer or artist in the UK with a penchant for working with strange creatures, Just Add Water's hiring!
Stranger's Wrath HD dev will 'look to' bring PS3 update to PC for free
While we're no closer to learning if the HD update to the formerly Xbox-exclusive Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath will ever make it to Xbox Live Arcade – either it's got to shrink in size or Microsoft has to bump up that size limit ... again – developer Just Add Water is hinting at another platform that may see the "NOT PS3-exclusive" remake. JAW's Stewart Gilray took to the Steam forums to placate Oddboxx consumers angry about the inconsistency of the PC port of Stranger's Wrath. Porting the title from Xbox (and an Xbox-specific implementation of DirectX) to PC and OpenGL introduced a number of issues, which Gilray was eager to address. "From a personal note, to read these comments that the game is beyond broken hurts," he wrote in the forums. "I am always incredibly paranoid about that work I/we do and am always self-critical, so please help us fix these issues by providing as much positive feedback as you can with system specs and detailed descriptions." As users turned in (generally angry) bug reports, one asked the question everyone's been wondering: "Why can't the PC port be as good as the PS3 version?" Gilray responded simply, "Because the PS3 version is not completed yet," before adding, "As for the PS3 version, we will look to bring this to the PC as an update to the current PC version at a later date." While it's far from a promise, it is a reminder that the HD remake isn't contractually bound to remain a PS3-exclusive, and it's also a potential silver lining for anyone plagued by bugs in the current Oddboxx release. %Gallery-112128%[Thanks, BoogerA]
Oddboxx bundle priced at $24.99
Before the year ends, Oddworld Inhabitants will launch The Oddboxx, a collection of four games for the PC: Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. The latter two titles are being ported to the PC for the first time -- if you want to get your grubby Mudoken mitts on the game, you can pick it up for $24.99 at retail or through one of the more popular digital distribution channels out there, including Steam, Direct2Drive and Amazon.
The Oddboxx to launch in the '2010 Holiday Season' on Steam
As promised, Oddworld Inhabitants reports it will successfully launch The Oddboxx before the end of 2010. A collection of the studio's previous Oddworld games, The Oddboxx includes Abe's Oddysee and Abe's Exoddus, as well as Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath -- the latter two games' first appearance on the PC platform. Launching on Steam during "the 2010 Holiday Season," gamers will be able to download each title individually or in a complete bundle. Expect "a few new additions and enhancements" to the games, which Oddworld Inhabitants says will be announced "in the run-up to its release date."
Just Add Water talks new models for Stranger's Wrath
Despite what you may think, it turns out that remastering a five-year-old game up to today's graphical standards is actually very complicated. Just Add Water has posted a new developer diary for the upcoming remake of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, this time discussing the work that has gone into creating the new character models. Some models, like the Stranger, can be based on the models used in the pre-rendered cinematics from the original title. Others, which have no CG version, must be remade from scratch, such as the Fuzzle seen above. Check out the diary, which is full of fancy terms like "NURBS" and "Ambient Occlusion," for a closer look at the Stranger's journey into modernity.
File size restriction currently keeping Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath from XBLA
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath was an Xbox exclusive. Why, then, is the remake exclusive to PlayStation 3? Developer Just Add Water says that it isn't -- theoretically. "Whilst I can't go into complete detail on this," a news post on the company's website states, "I can tell you that we are NOT PS3 Exclusive. As far as we are concerned we are a multi-platform company, supporting the big 3, PC/PS3 & 360." The specific reason why Stranger's Wrath isn't on 360 yet is a surprising one, one we haven't heard for a while: XBLA size restrictions. "On XBLA there is a 2 GigaByte size limit we have to adhere to," the developer said. "Currently the title weighs in at 2.1GB and that is without any updates, so either we have to pull a miracle out of the bag with some type of amazing compression system, or ask Microsoft to increase their 2GB limit, however this limit is apparently hardware led, so please let us try and make a miracle happen." Don't worry, Oddworld fans. Microsoft increasing the XBLA size limit is less a "miracle" and more "inevitable."
Oddworld's Stranger getting a makeover for PS3 remake
As seen in the image above, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath's main character is getting a truckload or two of new polygons in Just Add Water's forthcoming remastered version of the game. How many more, specifically, you ask? Is 17,000 enough, roughly seven times more than the original Xbox version? Certainly is for us! The difference is far more stunning when viewed on a larger scale than our header image will allow, so we'd suggest heading to JAW's dev blog and seeing for yourself. On the same blog, you'll find a handful of details regarding what specifically is being changed about Stranger's Wrath.
Stranger's Wrath HD the first of six Oddworld projects from Just Add Water
The Oddworld franchise is making a comeback, starting with a remastered version of Stranger's Wrath created by a small team at Just Add Water. The developer's ambition encompasses six Oddworld projects in total -- that's an Oddworld Quintology plus one. "Well for one I'm a HUGE fan, and always have been, all the way back to 1997," said Stewart Gilray, managing director of Just Add Water. "Other members of the team are also fans, and as a company we all care deeply about the project, and will only sign off on it ourselves, when we are happy with it in every aspect." Talking to Joystiq via email, Gilray explained that his company's collaboration with Oddworld Inhabitants started when he was introduced to series creator Lorne Lanning, during the 2009 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. Hello. Follow me. Isn't that how all these deals happen?
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath remake coming to PS3 in 2011
Are you ready, Steef? Just Add Water is working on a high-definition remake of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. The Gravity Crash developer announced the project earlier today, highlighting it as the first in a "long and fruitful relationship" with the original game's developer, Oddworld Inhabitants. "Having a chance to update the great title and release it on PS3 is just a brilliant opportunity, not least for us, but for the fans too," added Just Add Water MD Stewart Gilray. Set for release on PlayStation Network during Easter next year, the PS3 remake of Stranger's Wrath will offer enhanced 720p visuals, more detailed character models, remastered dialogue, PlayStation Move support and "additional bonus material." When it launched on Xbox in January 2005, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath was notable for being, well, a really bizarre first-person shooter. It placed the franchise's environmental missive inside a wild and weird Western aesthetic, and replaced ammunition with ravenous fuzzballs. An EA-developed port for PlayStation 2 never made it to stores.
Lorne Lanning confirms he's on the new Oddworld
Recently confirmed by the head of Maxis and now effectively double-confirmed, the new Oddworld game will have involvement from the series' original creator. Previously thought to have left the World of Odd for aspirations in CG movie making, Lanning and his studio, Oddworld Inhabitants, are returning to the universe of their namesake with the next-gen Oddworld. While that game will still be under wraps for some time, it's good to know that the original creators are involved, even if they do have their hands full.
New Oddworld game in the works
Given that Munch's Odyssey was a launch title for the 360, and Stranger's Wrath was quite good, it's been surprising that the franchise has not yet seen a another entry. Until now that is, because a new Oddworld is on the way. Maxis co-founder Jeff Braun is involved with the game, and comments that the team is very talented and that he has faith in their ability to create great content. If the new one took insipration from Stranger and added more quirky humor and fun, we'll be all over this. Too bad Braun confirmed that it's still years away ....
Joystiq's 2005 game guide
2005 was what many would call the final push of the current console generation. Regardless of where the year ranks on your list of gaming annuals, many great titles hit store shelves, home consoles, portables, and PC's alike in 2005. Without further adu, let us introduce Joystiq's 2005 game guide as selected by our team of bloggers. Be sure to also check out our top hidden gems of this generation along with the greatest hits roundup for gamers on a budget. It's good to be a gamer.
Got any questions you'd want to ask Lorne Lanning?
Oddworld creator Lorne Lanning will be speaking at the meeting for the Chicago chapter of the IGDA (that is, the International Game Developers Association) on the evening of Tuesday, August 23rd (tomorrow night). He will be giving a multimedia presentation called "In a Wal-Mart world, Creative is a dirty word" concerning "the creative process, sources of inspiration, how Yoda saved his life, why the label of 'Creative' has become a liability, how game engines will change film making forever, ...why owning your own brand can be a handicap in today's marketplace, and how digital distribution is the great hope for creatives as we continue heading deeper into a brave new world of media." I will also be there, blogging the event. (If you were hoping to go, you may be sorry to learn that reservations were made for attendants well in advance. Sorry!) What this post is for, however, is to make a small request for question suggestions. I could read as many past interviews as I want, but that wouldn't give me as much insight into the machinima and digital distribution issues that I'd surely get from our dear Joystiq readers. If possible, I hope to ask Lorne a few questions (during the likely Question & Answer session if necessary), but nothing's set in stone. (The current Oddworld web site is a bit bereft of proper contact information right now, so if anyone can get me in touch with Mr. Lanning directly, I'd certainly appreciate it.) At any rate, a concise report should be up by Wednesday morning, with or without interview. Wish me luck! Update: Moving the report back to Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Hopefully I'll have a good picture for you then! And, yes, I did get to ask Lorne a few of your questions. Should be fun.
Oddworld no more
Steve walks warily down the street, with his brim pulled way down low... Yep, another developer is no more. Though this time it's their own decision. In short, Lorne Lanning has seen where games are headed, said "No thanks!", and left for other pastures. Hollywood Reporter (?!) has a good interview with Lanning about his decision. Buh-bye, Oddworld. At least in games.
Oddworld keeps getting odder
Oddworld started off as a light-hearted world. Sure, it had a dark side of farts and spitting green slime, but for the most part it was a hopeful place. But that environment shifted to the dark side with the surprisingly good Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath (average of 88% on GameRankings). It was a first person shooter that sprinted away from the platformer-feel of the original. Now comes word from IGN that the next installment will go even darker. You'll play a shepherd named Fangus who is slowly being driven mad by rabies. You have to save your herd from invading aliens while you still have your head on straight. It may be a departure for fans of the series, but if you consider the developer's track record there's probably no need to worry. [thanks Fady]
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath Reviews
The reviews are still pouring in, and while not as strong (on average) as yesterday, the numbers are sill impressive: Team Xbox - '91' IGN - '88' GameSpot - '85' 1Up - '80'
Stranger's Wrath is all good, for now
Due in stores tomorrow, the latest Oddworld adventure has garnered some early "universal acclaim" as evidenced by its '91' average over on Metacritic. So far, only 2 of the 7 reviews posted are accessible in full, with TotalGames.net going all out with a '95', while GameSpy chose a slightly more reserved score of '90'. It looks like the risk of converting the Oddworld standard from puzzle to action has paid off for Oddworld Inhabitants (developer), and gasp, EA! We'll keep you posted as more reviews roll in...
