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Get The Maw free with Bastion purchase at Microsoft Store
Maw? Maaaawwww? Where is that little purple guy? Oh, there he is -- as part of a free Summer of Arcade promotion on the Microsoft Store. Those who pick up a copy of Bastion via the Microsoft Store will also receive a free copy of Twisted Pixel's adorable adventure, The Maw. As we mentioned only a few words ago, The Maw is positively adorable and a decent game to boot, making this an attractive deal for those interested in Bastion. Strangely, the site notes that the deal applies to "any" Summer of Arcade purchase, though a footnote claims that the deal is valid solely for Bastion. Considering Bastion is currently the only Summer of Arcade title available, it's possible that the deal will be applied to the rest of the Summer of Arcade lineup as each title is released.
Ms. 'Splosion Man gets first challenge level, free DLC released for 'Splosion Man
Twisted Pixel has announced that the first Title Managed Storage (TMS) challenge has been launched for Ms. 'Splosion Man. The challenge, which features Mr. Destructoid as an in-game character, requires no extra download and should be accessible from the main menu of the game. It will be open until July 31. Those who managed to grab 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in the leaderboard by the end of the challenge will win a prize pack including a Ms. 'Splosion Man statue, Destructoid bobble head and T-shirts and posters. One random contestant will also receive a Twisted Pixel prize pack, so even those without the best 'sploding skills have a shot at winning something. In addition to the TMS challenge, Twisted Pixel has also released a new level for the original 'Splosion Man. The level serves as a quick prologue to Ms. 'Splosion Man, and details just how the team at Big Science lured him into a trap. The DLC is free and available now on Xbox Live Marketplace. %Gallery-128891%
Ms. Splosion Man's 'TMS' system isn't what you think
Though Ms. Splosion Man features online co-op and ghost data races against friends, the folks at developer Twisted Pixel are, like, really concerned with keeping you interested in their newest game. One such indication of this is today's launch day announcement that the "TMS" (or "Title Managed Storage" system, as explained here) will add "special rules and new content" to existing levels on a rolling weekly basis. Like previous TMS-assisted titles (Super Meat Boy, Monday Night Combat), no patch or update will be required for the new content to appear in the game. There will be leaderboards specifically targeted at the TMS challenges, from which the studio will pull winners to award "real prizes and other fun stuff." It heralds a "new way of giving away free stuff to people who buy our games," says marketing director Jay Stuckwisch. If you aren't already on that MSM tip (following our review), have a look at the launch trailer just above.
Ms. 'Splosion Man review: Sweet science
People like to ask if video games can be art. I think I've come up with a better question: Can video games be science? Using specific and carefully arranged digital stimuli, is it possible to reliably reproduce the same result? In the case of Ms. 'Splosion Man, I believe it is. The desired result, in this case, is fun.%Gallery-108665%
Ms. 'Splosion Man contains a hidden dig at Capcom
You might remember the drama surrounding a Capcom mobile title that sprung up earlier this year. In January, the publisher released MaXplosion, a title that bore more than a passing resemblance to the Twisted Pixel game, 'Splosion Man. Twisted Pixel's own Mike Henry stated at the time that the rip-off made him "sad." Capcom, which had previously passed on the opportunity to publish 'Splosion Man, stated that it was "saddened" by the situation. Furthermore, the publisher distanced itself from the title, noting that it was created by Capcom Mobile, "a different division of Capcom with separate offices and as such." Twisted Pixel obviously hasn't forgotten, hiding a playful Capcom burn in the 'Splosion Man sequel, Ms. 'Splosion Man, which releases later this week. The dig is hidden in a secret area of the game, which is itself an homage to another title we won't spoil here. See it for yourself in the video above.
Ms. 'Splosion Man gets a table in Pinball FX 2
Zen Studios' Pinball FX2 and Twisted Pixel's Ms. Splosion Man have revealed a cross-splode-form promotion. Ms. 'Splosion Man will have her own table in the pinball sim, while an arcade room in Ms. 'Splosion Man, will have a "virtual Pinball FX 2 table where you can dive right into the hot XBLA pinball action directly." Ms. 'Splosion Man hits Xbox Live Arcade on July 13 for 800 MSP ($10). There is currently no release date or price announcement for Ms. 'Splosion Man's Pinball FX 2 table, but it should arrive shortly after the XBLA game's debut and cost a few dollars.
Ms. 'Splosion Man won't make wallets 'splode, priced at $10
It looks like Ms. 'Splosion Man will buck the fifteen buck trend on Xbox Live Arcade. Just like her significant other, Ms. 'Splosion Man will be priced at an oh-so-reasonable 800 MS Points ($10). The 'sploderific sequel is set to land on Xbox Live on July 13. A PC version has also been rumored, though not confirmed.
Rumor: Ms. 'Splosion Man seen briefly on Steam
Rock Paper Shotgun's Lewie Procter claims to have had a Steam version of Ms. 'Splosion Man spontaneously burst into his library, only to be replaced soon after by a listing called "ValveTestApp105420." A screenshot captured by RPS shows greyed-out Achievement images that depict Ms. 'Splosion Man, further suggesting that it's a future Steam offering that got out a bit early, and not just a completely random error. Ms. Splosion Man's initial announcement came without a platform listing, leading to speculation then that it wouldn't be an XBLA exclusive. And as far back as 2009, the developer was saying there was nothing holding the series to XBLA but convenience. We've reached out to Twisted Pixel to find out when or if this mistaken reveal will lead to a real one.
Comic Jumper falls to $10 permanently
The adventures of Captain Smiley have gotten a little cheaper this week, as Twisted Pixel has announced a permanent price drop for its pen-and-ink blaster, Comic Jumper. Originally priced at 1200 MS Points ($15), the panel-hopper will now be available for 800 MS Points ($10). Of course, if you really want to save some money, Comic Jumper is still part of the current Xbox Live Deal of the Week lineup. This week only, the new price has been cut in half, dropping it down to an impulse purchase of $5 for Xbox Live Gold members. If you consider the four distinct comic styles contained within the game, it works out to $1.25 per issue. %Gallery-127486%
XBLA developer Twisted Pixel aiming for iOS
Touch Arcade recently chatted with the CEO of developer Twisted Pixel Michael Wilford. Twisted Pixel is the group behind Xbox Live Arcade hits like The Maw and Splosion Man, the latter of which was the "influence" for Capcom's "MaXplosion." Touch Arcade asked about iOS development, and Wilford first said the Capcom incident had "lit a fire under our butts" to try to make an iOS game. He then confirmed that Twisted Pixel is "working on something" for Apple's platform. That's exciting! We don't yet know what it is they're working on; TUAW contacted Wilford to ask if it might be an original IP or a port of one of the XBLA titles, but were told it's still too soon to say. Wilford does tell us there'll be something to share soon, so we're all ears. There's one more wrinkle to this: XBLA is currently one of the biggest online marketplaces for downloaded games out there, and it could be argued it's in direct competition with Apple's App Store. We've already seen some crossover between the two platforms, and whenever this project is ready to see the light, it seems we'll have even more.
Twisted Pixel CEO says studio is working on iOS game
"The Capcom fiasco -- if you want to call it that -- lit a fire under our butts to give [iOS development] a try and see if we can make something there," Twisted Pixel CEO Mike Wilford has told Touch Arcade. Of course, the "fiasco" he's referring to was Capcom's appropriation of Splosion Man's core gameplay mechanic for its MaXplosion, similarities that Wilford himself told Joystiq were "nauseating" back in January. But forget about all of that: Twisted Pixel is working on an iOS game! "We're working on something. Nothing to announce yet. Hopefully, relatively soon we'll having something to share with you guys," Wilford said. While he played coy on what this new project is, Wilford did say that the staple of "character-driven IPs" created at Twisted Pixel provide potential for "a lot of fun stuff." Baby Splosion Man? The Fingerstringer? The Maw(ing at your iOS screen)? What do you guys think Twisted Pixel is up to?
Ms. 'Splosion Man multiplayer preview: It's all about the shoes
With the Ms. 'Splosion Man beta going on right now, we decided it would be the perfect time to check out the game's new mechanics in an online multiplayer session. We caught the resulting chaos on video, which we now present for your viewing pleasure. Join us as we hunt for Ms. 'Splosion Man's most treasured collectible: Shoes.
Ms. 'Splosion Man arrives on XBLA July 13
Good news for all the 'splosion starved gamers out there: You're about to get your fix. Twisted Pixel has announced that Ms. 'Splosion Man -- sequel to one of our favorite games of 2009 -- will arrive on Xbox Live Arcade next month. Specifically, 'Splosion Man's significant other will hit the download service on July 13. Ms. 'Splosion Man will come packing fifty single-player levels, and another fifty co-op levels for up to four players -- online or off. The price has not yet been revealed (the original 'Splosion Man was $10).
The Gunstringer preview: How the west was fun
The phrase "on rails" has something of a negative connotation in the video game industry. It implies that one's game design is lazy, or that it takes freedom away from the player. As developers come to grips with Kinect's controller-free technology, many of its experiences remain on rails, including several of the titles on display at E3. The Gunstringer does not buck that trend; however, while it doesn't offer complete freedom of movement, it still manages to deliver the most precise Kinect controls I've ever experienced. Coupled with trademark Twisted Pixel humor, it makes a great first impression.%Gallery-125562%
The Gunstringer rated T for puppet bestiality
The Gunstringer is breaking all sorts of barriers this week. First, the title made the jump from Xbox Live Arcade to a full retail product. Now, the seemingly family-friendly adventure has been branded "T for Teen" according to Twisted Pixel's Dan Teasdale. So, what makes a game seemingly ripe for an "E for Everyone" garner a T rating? Find out after the break.
The Gunstringer saddles up for retail, fires off some new screens
Forget that Xbox Live Arcade business, pardner! According to comments made by Twisted Pixel's Dan Teasdale, the once Xbox Live Arcade-bound game is headed for the greener (more expensive?) pastures of retail this fall. Twisted Pixel isn't talking price right now, but considering most Kinect games go for $50, we'd say that's a safe bet. %Gallery-125562%
Ms. 'Splosion Man trailer is ready for a surprise
It's been a few months since we've seen some fresh Ms. 'Splosion Man gameplay. Now, thanks to the magic of E3, we've got a piping hot serving of it ready for your enjoyment. Perceptive viewers can spot a few new gameplay elements. More importantly, however, is the inclusion of a wonderful Total Recall reference. And let's face it, there just aren't enough of those in video games.
Ms. Splosion Man 'Public Access Testing' (aka beta) details
That's right, Twisted Pixel is running a multiplayer beta test for Ms. Splosion Man, which will see 10,000 individuals granted early access to the game's online multiplayer throughout the majority of June. Beta sign-ups are currently underway, so interested parties will want to halt reading this post at the end of this sentence and click on this link. Are you still reading? Well, aren't you a rebel? OK, how about you rebel against the front page of Joystiq and click past the break for the full press release? No? Well, how else will you know you need an Xbox 360 with a hard drive to take part in the beta? ... crap.
The Gunstringer gets level commentary (a la Mystery Science Theater)
Twisted Pixel is taking a page from the script of TV's Mystery Science Theater 3000 -- and its web heir, Rifftrax -- for some of the bonus content in its upcoming Kinect shooter, The Gunstringer. Designer Dan Teasdale dropped the news on the developer's blog, saying that the team was inspired to create "full commentary for the entire game" by the spirited online riffing given to Sonic the Hedgehog (2006). "It's not just us talking about making the game," Teasdale says of the commentary. "Much like how some of the best Rifftrax are the ones that have special guests, we've asked some special friends of ours to comment on specific plays in the game." The identities of the guests may be a secret, but we already know one possible candidate: Troma's Lloyd Kaufman, who's already been signed to play the role of a reporter in the game's live-action sequences. Of course, the developer could go all out and get the master of riffing, MST3K and Rifftrax's Michael J. Nelson, to contribute -- something sure to get fans of his work all MSTy-eyed. Whoever's involved in them, the commentary tracks will be unlocked using in-game currency, after which, Teasdale says, "you'll be given the option to turn on the soothing voices of either us, or (more likely) our awesome special guests!" [Note: not an actual gameplay image]
Ms. 'Splosion Man's '2 Girls 1 Controller' mode revealed
After teasing us over the last several days, Twisted Pixel has finally revealed the meaning behind Ms. 'Splosion Man's mysterious "2G1C" feature. As it turns out, it's actually much more innocent than its namesake -- which we will not elaborate upon here -- and simply allows one player to control two Ms. Splosion Men (Mans?) with one controller. We say "simply," but it's obviously much more difficult than it sounds. One 'splosion lady is controlled with the left analog stick, while the other is controlled with the right. Each character's 'splode function is similarly mapped to either the left or right bumper. See "2 Girls 1 Controller" in action after the break.
