thebehemoth
Latest
‘Pit People’ makes turn-based strategy a party
In our world of ubiquitous broadband and online multiplayer, couch-based co-op gaming isn't the first consideration for most development studios. For the folks behind Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers, Battleblock Theater and now Pit People, however, being able to play with other people on the same screen has always been a priority. "Co-op memories are very strong with the right games and there's all sorts of fun interactions going on, not only in the game but for the players on the couch," said Dan Paladin, co-founder, art director and designer on Pit People. "Whenever it makes enough sense, we'll do our best to make sure it is always included! Our brains are firmly rooted in the old school stand-up-arcade era."
TUAW's Daily App: Super Soviet Missile Mastar
Hail, comrades of Unofficial Weblog of Apple! Our kind and generous comrades at gaming developer The Behemoth (crafters of the great Castle Crashers entertainment for Xbox Live) have blessed the people of Mother Russia with a free iOS arcading game, available at the current time in your stores of Apps. Super Soviet Missile Mastar allows you to guide secret missile of Russian destiny past American helicopters, capitalist pig birds and disgusting Western airplays towards missile's final landing place on soil of dirty United States. Game is very simple, but as charming as hot chocolate vodka on cold USSR's winter's day, with extremely retro graphics and music to cheer you on to people's victory. And speaking of people, the game also has full Game Center integration, so you and other comrades can band together over leaderboards and "ments of achieving." Fly on, Russian missile of doom! Universal app is a free download for all who believe in power of Mother Russia! Thanks to comrades at Behemoth for free distraction from standing in bread lines, and great glory to USSR and her peoples!
The Behemoth says Castle Crashers is finally complete
It seems like just yesterday that Alien Hominid creator The Behemoth first announced its upcoming XBLA release Castle Crashers. Well, that's an outright lie. It's been a near unbearable wait, but according to a post by artist extraordinaire Dan Paladin on the studio's blog that game is. finally. complete.But don't take up your swords and shields just yet, as it appears that it could be a little while before the decidedly old school, not to mention stylish brawler is available for download. Writes Paladin, "It has to go through all the required hoops of certification/final testing & all that jazz before it will actually become available on the service." He adds that "it's a good feeling know that the crashers are working their way into the world," though with the company noting that it could be a "couple months" before we're finally able to play the game the only feeling we're left with is impatience.[Thanks Obvious]
22 unlockable characters confirmed for Castle Crashers
You'll need more than your fingers and toes when counting up the number of playable characters in The Behemoth's upcoming (and long awaited) XBLA opus Castle Crashers, as the devs have confirmed that the game's roster will pack in "about" twenty-two unlockable slots. How exactly characters will be unlocked remains, much like the game's eventual release date, a mystery, with Behemoth blogger Emil teasing only that characters will be added "by various different means." However, given that since it was first announced some two years ago the heavily-stylized side scroller has remained near the top of a short list of titles we cannot wait to sink our thumbs into, it's just shy of hyperbole to say that we'd do anything Castle Crashers asked of us anyway. [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Video: Some Castle Crashers versus multiplayer
Embedded above for the obsessed or simply curious Castle Crashers enthusiast is never before seen footage of the game's versus multiplayer modes taken from a PAX 07 demo. And, after giving the video quick look over, we can truthfully and wholeheartedly say that our excitement-ometer for Castle Crashers just got higher which we didn't even think was possible. Right now the game features four different multiplayer versus modes where up to four players will be able to duke it out in various events including a straight up brawl (with giant kitty cats), some bow and arrow shooting and a gametype where chickens turn you into Hulk-sized characters. Give the video a watch and tell us you aren't excited about the chicken eating versus mode ... just try.
It's time for Castle Crashers dress up!
Diehard Xbox 360 fanboy, Half-Life case modder to the stars and all around Castle Crashers enthusiast PiNPOiNT thought he'd share his latest artsy project with the fanboy community. So go ahead, take a look at the photo above and witness his brand new, custom made Castle Crashers costume modeled after the game's blue knight. It's very well made, designed beautifully, so very attractive and the big head makes us chuckle for some reason. It's a damn nice costume design PiNPOiNT, but we're sorry to say that it'll be a long wait until Castle Crashers is playable on the XBLA. Ah who cares, all we know right now is that Castle Crashers dress up rocks!
Video: Castle Crashers at Comic Con
If you've been wondering why there has been a lack of Castle Crashers news, then know that you aren't alone as we share the same curiosity. So, we all should be happy to hear that The Behemoth is at Comic Con this year showing off their latest Castle Crashers build and we can't think of a better way to celebrate the re-emergence of the game than with some gameplay footage from the show floor. Embedded above is the new footage featuring our colorful Castle Crashers knights in a boss battle and kicking bum. Be sure to watch until the end when our heroes are forced to turn on eachother to win a kiss from their princess. We so got five bucks on the red knight.[Via Game Stooge]
New PDA games available for Alien Hominid
When The Behemoth's crew isn't too busy making custom trophies, or working on Castle Crashers, they're obviously throwing together some PDA stages for Alien Hominid HD. The second pack of 100 PDA levels is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace for 150 Microsoft Points. If you're in a spending mood, you can also pick up some new gamer pictures, as there are two packs with 5 pics a piece, each for 100 MS Points. Do you play the PDA minigame in Alien Hominid? If so, do you play solo or multiplayer?
The Behemoth gives Major Trophy
Showing what an awesome development team they are, The Behemoth gave Major Nelson a custom, hand made FBI Agent trophy. This was in thanks for his support of their first title for Xbox Live Arcade, Alien Hominid HD, back in late February. Now, some of you may remember that The Behemoth was going to give away trophies for those at the top of the leaderboards of the game. Major, being an MS employee was not eligible to win, no matter how mad his skillz, so they hooked him up with this absolutely badass trophy, and he's posted pics on his flickr page of the gift and the thank you letter included in the package. Hopefully, The Behemoth will remember X3F and our GDC interview when Castle Crashers lands on Arcade, right guys?
Shiny Alien Hominid trophies for leaderboard champs
Some of you have been working very hard. You've been blasting FBI and KGB agents in XBLA's Alien Hominid HD like you were born to do it, and why? All to earn the loving praise (and promised prize) from creator, The Behemoth. The indie-developer has documented, in excruciating detail, the laborious process they undertook to hand craft each trophy, which will be sent out to the winners as determined every Saturday afternoon. But this ain't no t-shirt you can buy in a store, or win on a gaming blog. These are for champions only! So get practicing ... you've got a ways to go before you'll trump the likes of Bilgewater or Eric The Duke.%Gallery-2943%
Alien Hominid HD trophies awarded
A while back, The Behemoth offered the best Alien Hominid HD players a chance to win custom trophies for staying on top of the leaderboards. And today, they announced the winners and sent out the shiny hardware. Each winner will receive a trophy that was created in-house, customized with the winner's gamertag, and dated. There are also a few gamers who went above and beyond the call of duty and will be eternally immortalized in The Behemoth's hall of fame.And if you're a tad jealous that you didn't win a trophy, don't worry. The Behemoth manufactured over 150 extra trophy bases for future giveaways. Loving fellas aren't they?Read - Trophy making process.Read - Leaderboard winners.
Alien Hominid content invades XBLA
Those of us lost in the Egyptian ball busting action found in Luxor 2 may have missed the new content available for Alien Hominid HD. The new content adds 100 new levels to the PDA mini-game found in Alien Hominid HD. The new levels can be had for the pittance of 150 Microsoft Points. In addition to the new levels, 2 new Alien Hominid picture packs are available for 100 points each. Sure, it's not as exciting as, say, Castle Crashers, but it might be a worthy purchase if you've got some spare points in your account, which you probably do if you bought Luxor 2. Funny how that works out, isn't it?
Fanswag: Alien Hominid HD Giveaway the end
Our Alien Hominid HD Giveaway has come to an end and it is okay to shed a tear or two. But let's divulge who the winner of yesterday's day 3 giveaway was. The winner of an autographed Alien Hominid figurine set is ... drumroll ... Cam! Congratulations Cam, we know those figurines will be proudly displayed in your cubicle. Again, we must thank The Behemoth for their generosity in donating these prizes during their leaderboards giveaway. Those guys are definitely cool dudes. And a big thanks goes out to you, all the fanboy readers, for participating as we hope to have more giveaways in the near future. You guys are cool dudes too.
Fanswag: Alien Hominid HD Giveaway day 3 [update 1]
Update 1: This contest is now closed. For the winner click here.It's the third day of our Alien Hominid HD Giveaway and we're pleased to announced day 2's winners. Both taking home an Alien Hominid tshirt is ... drumroll ... Chris and MuffNman! Congrats guys, you both have equally interesting reasons why aliens are much cooler than pirates. But onward to today's prize. Today we're going out with a bang by giving away one autographed Alien Hominid figurine set (pictured above). This set is numbered and autographed by both Dan Paladin and Tom Fulp, more pictures after the break. To win, simply comment on this post stating where you'll showcase these Alien Hominid figurines if you won this giveaway. It's really that easy. One winner will be randomly chosen today at 11:59 PM EST and will be announced tomorrow. Again, to enter, simply write a comment stating where you'll showcase these figurines if you won. A big thanks goes out to The Behemoth for donating the Alien Hominid swag for the giveaway. Also, be sure to check out their leaderboards giveaway going on now!Rules: Please read the complete official rules for this giveaway. Remember, this giveaway is only open to US residents who are 13 years of age or older. Day three contest ends on 3/23/07 at 11:59 PM EST, when one winner will be randomly selected.
Fanswag: Alien Hominid HD Giveaway day 2 [update 1]
Update 1: This contest is now closed. For the winner click here.It's the second day of our Alien Hominid HD Giveaway and we're pleased to announced day 1's winner. Taking home an XL Alien Hominid tshirt is ... drumroll ... Erik Novak! Congrats Erik Novak, who thinks The Behemoth's chicken got so obese by eating too many Soylent McNuggets. But onward to today's prize. Today we're giving away two Alien Hominid tshirts (pictured above) in both L and XL sizes. To win one of these tshirts, simply comment on this post stating why you think aliens are cooler than pirates. It's really that easy. Two winners will be randomly chosen today at 11:59 PM EST and will be announced tomorrow. Again, to enter, simply write a comment stating why you think aliens are cooler than pirates. A big thanks goes out to The Behemoth for donating the Alien Hominid swag for the giveaway. Also, be sure to check out their leaderboards giveaway going on now!Rules: Please read the complete official rules for this giveaway. Remember, this giveaway is only open to US residents who are 13 years of age or older. Day two contest ends on 3/22/07 at 11:59 PM EST, when two winners will be randomly selected.
Fanswag: Alien Hominid HD Giveaway day 1 [update 1]
Update 1: This contest is now closed. For the winner click here.Today we're kicking off our three day Alien Hominid HD Giveaway! Today's prize is one Alien Hominid XL tshirt (pictured above) to prevent you from having to walk around naked. So, how do you win this lovely tshirt? Simply comment on this post stating how you think The Behemoth's chicken (as seen in their logo) got so obese. It's really that simple. One winner will be randomly chosen today at 11:59 PM EST and will be announced tomorrow. Again, to enter, simply write a comment stating how you think The Behemoth's chicken got so obese. A big thanks goes out to The Behemoth for donating the Alien Hominid swag for the giveaway. Also, be sure to check out their leaderboards giveaway going on now!Rules: Please read the complete official rules for this giveaway. Remember, this giveaway is only open to US residents who are 13 years of age or older. Day one contest ends on 3/21/07 at 11:59 PM EST, when one winner will be randomly selected.
Fanswag: Alien Hominid HD Giveaway
Alien Hominid HD graced our Xbox 360s a few weeks ago creating a man-crush between us and that little yellow alien. But what are fanboys to do to live out our daily Alien Hominid fantasies? Maybe a nifty tshirt or a limited edition figurine set would help, but how does one get such exciting items?Well, our good friends over at The Behemoth (Alien Hominid's daddy) were kind enough to send us some goodies. Why? Because they like you and because yesterday they launched their leaderboard trophy giveaway and want to spread the alien love. We'll be giving out a total of four prizes this week running from Wednesday through Friday. Wondering how you're supposed to win? Every day the contest will be different, so be prepared for pretty much anything. The giveaways start tomorrow, so prepare yourself by analyzing the prize breakdown below. Wednesday's Prize: Alien Hominid tshirt XL Thursday's Prize: Alien Hominid tshirts XL and L Friday's Prize: Autographed Alien Hominid figurine set Click here for Official Contest Rules Thanks again to The Behemoth for donating the sweet prizes. And be sure to check out their Alien Hominid HD leaderboard giveaway to try and win one of their shiny trophies.
Castle Crashers still 50 megs
We ran a story on Friday stating that Castle Crashers will release in 2008 because of the recent size limit increase on Xbox Live Arcade games. This info was apparently communicated to Joystiq during GDC. Since running the story, The Behemoth's Tom Fulp contacted us to let us know that The Behemoth is busy cramming as much as they can into Castle Crashers, but are still adhering to the 50 MB limit. In fact, Fulp noted that The Behemoth enjoys the challenge of meeting the size restriction. It seems the size limit increase is decided on a case by case basis, and The Behemoth has not requested a size increase at this time.Size increase or not, we wouldn't expect the game to hit anytime soon.
Castle Crashers gets bumped into 2008
Joystiq cornered The Behemoth's Dan Paladin after the GDC awards ceremony and asked about a release time-frame for Castle Crashers. To their (and our) dismay, Mr. Paladin stated that there was still "about a year of development left" on the XBLA title. Shocked, Joystiq then inquired to whether The Behemoth was going to take advantage of the 100MB bump in the XBLA size limit and were pleased to learn that Castle Crashers would benefit by adding additional features and content. So, we'll be seeing more Castle Crashers content, but will also have to suffer a longer wait. With a year or more of development nobody will be having any Castle Crashers fun until 2008 ... so you better make one hell of a game Mr. Paladin, because this hurts. This hurts a bunch.
Castle Crashers likely due 2008, receiving more content
var digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/09/castle-crashers-likely-due-2008-receiving-more-content/'; It seems that Microsoft's decision to expand the size restriction of Xbox Live Arcade games has become a double-edged sword, especially to fans of sword-swinging, skull-crushing adventure, Castle Crashers. After congratulating The Behemoth's Dan Paladin on the team's IGF award win at the Wednesday evening's ceremony, we enquired about the game's release timeframe and were met with less than pleasing information.Mr. Paladin noted that the XBLA title still had "about a year of development left," thus placing the completed Castle Crashers in 2008 at the earliest. Disappointing news, certainly, but not entirely without one of those consolatory silver linings that people love to point and stare at. When Joystiq asked about the length of the game, Paladin noted that the 100MB boost in the XBLA size limit had allowed The Behemoth to include even more content and features in the game, making it a fuller and more satisfying adventure overall.Alright, 2008. Come over here please.See also: Castle Crashers GDC '07 impressions
