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World of Goo makes Android debut, Angry Birds consider slaying ink blobs
Anyone else feel like that pig-slaying pack of temperamental birdies has finally jumped the shark? Yeah, us too. Which makes World of Goo's official bow on Android especially timely. Gaming addicts have long had the option to build with blobs of these living globs on Mac, PC, Wii, and iOS, but now the architecturally-focused fun is ready to make nice with Google's legion of mobile mitts. You can snag the puzzler on the Android market now, so long as your handset's sporting FroYo and up. Unfortunately, this good time pastime doesn't come gratis, so you'll have to fork over three dolla dolla bills, y'all. Of course, you can always get your digits dirty (and prime that budding addiction) with a demo and live in the über-frugal land of forever level one.
World of Goo for iPad outsells the Mac, PC, Linux, Wii, Xbox versions
Developer 2D Boy makes the popular World of Goo game, which they recently released on the iPad, and the official blog has a long writeup about the iPad version from creation to release. 2D Boy originally planned to release the game on the iPhone, but couldn't get it to work right, so when the iPad came around, they decided to tackle the port again. The writeup outlines not only development of the game, but also marketing (after an early choice to release at US$10, they eventually lowered the price to pick up some sales boosts) and even the timing of their release -- they landed right in that "loophole" around Christmas that allowed them to pick up some extra sales by being on the charts during the App Store freeze. And perhaps most interesting is 2D Boy's comparison of the iPad market to their past console and PC experience. The iPad version was the fastest-selling of all of the versions of the game so far, both in copies sold and revenue generated. That's pretty wild, and it shows that not only does iOS offer a lot to developers in terms of when and how they can release their games, but that Apple's platforms stack up favorably to more established marketplaces like WiiWare and Xbox Live Arcade. Of course, this was the latest version of the game, so it benefited from all of the good reviews and good will from the previous releases. Not all of that credit can go to the iPad itself. As 2D Boy says, in this case, there was a two-year-old game being sold on a platform less than a year old, so there's lots and lots of potential here for indie developers to discover.
World of Goo iPad (WogPad) out 'as soon as we get approved by Apple'
2D Boy wants you to know that its sticky puzzle game, World of Goo, is almost available on the iPad. Furthermore, the developer says it's perfectly acceptable for you to start referring to your iPad as the "WogPad," per the forthcoming release, even though the game is still pending Apple's App Store approval process. For now, 2D Boy answered some burning questions from fans, explaining what's going on with iPhone/iPod Touch versions. "There's a lot of iGoo to pour in, and we don't want to release something if it doesn't run absolutely buttery smooth." They also detailed the iPad version's multiplayer, which "you can play two handed, with friends, an animal, anything up to eleven fleshy things touching the screen", and confirmed that, yes, you can totally wear a Goo Ball on your head while playing the forthcoming game. Oh, right, and 2D Boy also says that a sequel to World of Goo would be "something we would enjoy working on," but it would have to "feel like a perfect and appropriate continuation of the first game." Whether it would be made for the WogPad or not, we can't say.
2D Boy's Gabler clarifies next project
2D Boy's Kyle Gabler tells Joystiq that the current project he's working on with Henry Hatsworth creator Kyle Gray and World of Goo programmer Allan Blomquist is not the next game from 2D Boy. Following up on yesterday's confusing reports on the new game, Gabler told us that he and 2D Boy co-founder Ron Carmel don't want to prematurely announce their next project, which he believes will have huge expectations following the plaudits plopped on World of Goo.Gabler explained the game he's working on with Gray and Blomquist isn't a 2D Boy or EA title, and he later sent us a link which goes into more detail on the Experimental Gameplay Project website. The game he's working on with the "EGP guys" will be high quality, though only a couple of hours long.
2D Boy's Gabler drops hints on upcoming WiiWare game
2D Boy's Kyle Gabler, speaking with Nintendo Dpad, mentions he's currently working on a new WiiWare project with Henry Hatsworth creator Kyle Gray. Programming things along will be World of Goo code guy Allan Blomquist. Gabler states that the trio hasn't mentioned "anything about it to anyone," but drops the gooey detail that the new game is based on an experimental title from their past. Hmmm.We're following up to find out if there's any further information on the title and whether Ron Carmel -- 2D Boy's other co-founder -- is also involved in the project. We'll update as soon as we receive more details.Update: Gabler let us know this is not the next project from 2D Boy, but a separate thing he's working on.[Via Go Nintendo]
World of Goo has 90% piracy rate
We received a tip pointing to the comments section of a recent RockPaperShotgun post, in which World of Goo designer Ron Carmel mentioned the game had a staggering 90% piracy rate. We contacted Carmel directly, who confirmed the figure was "about right."Carmel informs us that he's seen torrent sites with "500 seeders and 300 leechers" and has received emails from people who initially stole the game but ended up buying the full product; unsurprisingly, they make up a "very small percentage." He concludes, "We're doing ok, though. We're getting good sales through WiiWare, Steam, and our website. Not going bankrupt just yet!"Although Carmel takes it in stride, this is probably a good time for us to reiterate that the charming and fun World of Goo was developed by 2D Boy, which consists of Carmel and his design partner, Kyle Gabler. We want more goo, so please support the 2D boys properly.[Thanks, Luis]
Goo up your world with these new gameplay trailers
IGN has uploaded a healthy helping of fresh videos from 2D Boy's World of Goo. Set to release via Nintendo's WiiWare service, the game looks stylish and fun. Actually, we were convinced it was going to be great when Ron Carmel gave us the goods on what to expect. Now, not only are we convinced that we need it, but that you all need it, as well. So you better set aside some Wii Points for when this releases, or we're going to come to your house and do some very horrible things. Like, drink some of your OJ directly from the container without using a cup.Childish threats aside, be sure to head on past the break for the other videos.%Gallery-16000%
NMS08: Joystiq gets their hands dirty with WiiWare
Besides checking out what retail Wii and DS games Nintendo had available, Joystiq also managed to spend some quality time with WiiWare and a few of its games. The general consensus? It's a mixed bag. Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People seems to capture the Flash toon's look and feel, but is fairly linear (at least in the demo available at NMS08). Stern was also able to pry some more info about the episodic nature of the game from the title's marketing director, who said "Each episode, a different designer [is in charge], which is more like they do on TV. ... It's still the same team. [But] it'll be interesting to see how the episodes feel as a result. With Sam & Max, we've had complaints that they feel too similar. We might find with Strong Bad, that each one feels very different." LostWinds is shaping up nicely, apparently, as Stern commented "Because of game's playful controls, I wish I could have spent the time progressing through the entire game." He says this because LostWinds is actually finished, and the folks behind it hope its in the WiiWare launch lineup. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King is more for the folks that like everything outside of the combat in RPG games. It's very menu-heavy, and you're very much like the manager of the game, sending out your townfolk to find goodies to bring back to you. Pop seems to have some very interesting multiplayer mechanics and, like LostWinds, is totally finished. The single-player games are "casual and a trance-like way to relax," apparently. They hope that it will be in the WiiWare launch lineup and between 500 and 800 Wii Points. Major League Eating is offering up a buffet of features for users to take from, including Wi-Fi gameplay and the complete package of competitive eating. There's going to be gross out techniques, as well as actual attack and defensive maneuvers. We're not all about who can eat a billion hot dogs the fastest ourselves, but it looks like this one is shaping up to be a full meal of fun on WiiWare. World of Goo is something that we've been interested in, surely you all know. And everytime someone checks it out and bothers to write something up on the internet, we're even more convinced this is a must download. Stern's label that this title has the "clever puzzle mechanic" and "irresistible gameplay" we've been hoping may have just cemented its status as a must own for us. Read - Major League EatingRead - World of GooRead - LostWindsRead - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a KingRead - PopRead - Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People
Goo up your torso for a couple bucks at Target
Gaming apparel. It's often only attainable through various specialty websites or other, more dastardly means. It appears that things are about to change, at least regarding indie games, as retailer Target is now carrying gaming apparel. Even better, each shirt only costs $12 and comes with a full version of the game. As you can see in the above picture, we think World of Goo is awesome. Also, you can see other gaming-related shirts. As for whether your local Target is supporting this, unless you live in California, we can't tell you. Target has, for some reason, only included a list of CA stores carrying the merch. For that list, head past the break.%Gallery-16000%
World of Goo oozes onto PC and Wii in '08
IGF Finalist World of Goo is coming to Wii and PC sometime this year, according to developer 2D Boy's website. The site also states the game will be available for Mac and Linux "shortly after" its Wii and PC debut, with the PC version already priced at $20 – no price has been given for the Wii version yet.If you purchase the PC version there is a "complimentary Profanity Pack," which takes us back to that age-old question: Motion controls or profanity? Hmmm, tough choice. We're looking forward to getting some hands-on time with the PC version of World of Goo next month at GDC.Update: Quotes from developer Ron Carmel after the break.[Via Wii Fanboy]
Human Brain Cloud "proves" we think about sex more than money
Kyle Gabler, founder of the Experimental Gameplay Project and indie game studio 2D Boy, recently posted a few stats from his side project, Human Brain Cloud. The online "game" shows you a word or phrase and all you have to do is type in the first thing that comes to mind. The answers players give are amassed into a huge network of connected blobs viewable from the website. Nearly 800,000 associations have been submitted so far, connecting over 100,000 unique words and phrases. What's the most commonly submitted word? "Sex", of course. The second most common is "me", while the third is "money". Good to know the collective consciousness of the human race has its priorities straight. Human Brain Cloud lets you sit and submit as many associations as you want, and we spent more time than we'd like to admit adding our two cents to the project.[Via Independent Gaming]
