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Twisted Pixel Games Bundle spins onto XBLA for 800 MSP
Twisted Pixel's XBLA bundle is available for purchase as of this morning, and the price is not bad, not bad at all. At 800 MSP, the collection of 'Splosion Man, Ms. Splosion Man, The Maw, and Comic Jumper comes in at two ninths - or around 22 percent for non-fractionists - of the games' total cost when purchased separately.If you've been waiting to twist on the talented Texas studio's XBLA collection all this time - is The Maw really four years old now? - then we'd say today your luck is in.
Twisted Pixel bundle includes studio's XBLA library, coming 'soon' to Live
Twisted Pixel is packaging all of its XBLA games into one 'Twisted Bundle,' which is making its way onto Xbox Live "soon." We're waiting for the four-in-one compilation, which includes The Maw, 'Splosion Man, Ms. Splosion Man, and Comic Jumper to twist on a price and date.
Microsoft buys indie developer Twisted Pixel
After developing games exclusively for Xbox 360 and PC, it's fair to say that indie dev Twisted Pixel has been going steady with Microsoft. Today, the two have finally tied the knot as the Redmond corporation announced that it has purchased the Austin studio. That may be terrifying news for fans of the dev, which has built games like 'Splosion Man and The Gunstringer around its scrappy DIY aesthetic. But Matt Booty, general manager of Microsoft Studios, told Joystiq it's exactly that character that the company hopes to preserve after the sale.
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%
Croft, Comic Jumper, TMNT this week's XBL Deal of the Week, Torchlight next week
This week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week deals are organized under the generous umbrella of "Mutants and more!" The soon-to-be-pulled TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled is available for just $5 / 400 Microsoft Points until July 4. (Note: Ubisoft told us it would be pulled at the end of this month.) That's certainly mutant-themed, so what's next? X-Men Arcade is also 50% off at just $5, so that's another mutant-themed offering. So there's something of a theme here ... ... except the other three games are non-mutant-themed! The excellent Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is 50% off, dropping the asking price to just $7.50 / 600 Microsoft Points, while both Comic Jumper and Hard Corps: Uprising are 50% off, dropping their sticker prices to $5 / 400 Microsoft points each. While we love those deep discounts, is it too much to ask for a solid theme? Next week's offerings, while more thematically consistent, aren't nearly as delicious. The highlight for "Heatin' Up Summer" is definitely Torchlight for 33% off, at $10 / 800 Microsoft Points. Less enticing offerings include: Dante's Inferno DLC, a Medal of Honor map pack, and a Red Hot Chili Peppers album for Rock Band.
Xbox Live April schedule: Bad Company 2 DLC, Comic Jumper discounts
Microsoft has revealed some of the content and deals coming to the Xbox Live Marketplace in early April, which include quite a few discounts. It kicks off this week with the launch of DLC for Mass Effect 2 and You Don't Know Jack, as well as some discounts on Comic Jumper, Deadliest Warrior and the "Dead Money" DLC for Fallout: New Vegas. Hit the jump for the full list.
New Year's XBLM sale discounts multiple items, offers daily deals
Microsoft has launched its "Countdown to New Year's" promotion today on Xbox Live, which will see numerous pieces of Marketplace content discounted in the days leading up to the ball drop. The deals are highlighted by several XBLA games on sale now through December 31, including Super Meat Boy, Carcassonne, Comic Jumper, Castle Crashers and Risk Factions; all of which are 33–50 percent off. Daily deals are also on offer, beginning with today's deal: Red Dead Redemption DLC. Both the "Liars & Cheats" and the "Legends & Killers" packs are available for 400 Microsoft Points ($5) each, half their usual price. Meanwhile, "Undead Nightmare" and the "Undead Nightmare Collection" (which bundles together all three aforementioned add-ons) are 25 percent off at 600 ($7.50) and 1200 points ($15), respectively. And tomorrow, December 22, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be available for half-off at 600 points ($7.50). Additionally, Microsoft has listed clues to the rest of this year's daily deals on the Xbox Live Dashboard. We've compiled the clues, along with our best guesses, after the break. Be sure to check it out before you start spending your holiday points! Finally, buying discounted items, watching Netflix movies or playing Halo: Reach and Fable 3 multiplayer during this 11-day promotion will automatically enter players into a sweepstakes to win a massive prize package, featuring a 50-inch HDTV.
Twisted Pixel's Josh Bear on giving Ms. Splosion Man more than just a bow
Fresh out of containment and ready to butcher countless more scientists, Ms. Splosion Man was revealed this evening by Twisted Pixel. Alongside the first teaser and news of next fall's splosive sequel, Twisted Pixel CCO Josh Bear spoke with us about all things MSM. We got to the important stuff upfront, pinning Bear to the wall about the real difference between Mr. and Ms. Splosion Man. "Splosion Man has a penis, Ms. Splosion Man has a vagina," he confessed. Solved. Oh, right, there was also talk of the reasoning behind a full-on sequel in terms of gameplay. Bear explained: "I think with Splosion Man a follow up was something we really wanted to do, and that is why you never saw DLC for that game. We could have churned out new levels, but we wouldn't have had the time to add in new gameplay puzzles or cool new character stuff. But we didn't just want to do Splosion Man 2, it had to be something a ittle more interesting. That is why we decided to do MSM." And that's not all! Apparently Twisted Pixel is already hard at work on another game -- an entirely new IP, in fact -- with ex-Harmonix designer Dan Teasdale. Head past the break for more.
December XBLA deal: Buy two games, get 400 MS Points free
In yet another Xbox Live Arcade deal, Microsoft is now offering a free batch of 400 MS Points for purchasing two qualifying XBLA games. Don't run off downloading games just yet though, because you'll need to head over to the Xbox Live Events page and download the Arcade Offer gamer picture to register for the giveaway first (the direct link to the gamer picture is currently broken, but it's the first one listed on the events page). Once that's done, snag two of the games listed after the break (including favorites like Limbo, Lara Croft, Monday Night Combat, Super Meat Boy and more). Within four weeks, the free points will be added to registered Live accounts automatically or sent as redemption code via email. If you're planning to pick up any of the eligible games, you might as well get some free points too, right? The promotion ends December 20, so get to it. [Thanks, Grand Kerfuffle]
Comic Jumper soundtrack now available as a free download
Here's the problem with Comic Jumper: when you turn the game off, its awesome soundtrack remains silently imprisoned within the plastic and silicon of your console. If only there were some way to kind of take those tunes out of the game, so your ears could envelope themselves in those sultry sounds at your own leisure. Twisted Pixel has rectified the situation by offering music and sound bites from the game, free of charge, via the official site. Now you can jam to these tunes whenever you want, whether it's during that jerk Johnson's retirement speech (we just know he stole our chicken salad sandwich from the break room fridge last week) or our personal favorite: while enjoying a nice, candle-lit bubble bath. Those days don't unwind themselves, people.
No DLC for Comic Jumper, Twisted Pixel working on two games
We know good news/bad news is a cliché, but the latest episode of Evil Avatar's Shotgun Podcast is such a classic example of it we hope you'll indulge us. Think of it as a tribute to this old standby, or perhaps a painfully unimaginative remake of it. So: There's good news and bad news, which do you want first? Good news: It's a happy day for fans of The Maw, 'Splosion Man and Comic Jumper: Developer Twisted Pixel is working on two new games, according to CCO Josh Bear. Hooray! Bad news: Remember earlier, when we said it was a happy day for Comic Jumper fans? Well, it may have to be downgraded to "pretty OK day" when they learn that Twisted Pixel won't be churning out DLC for its well-received game. It's a shame, as you'd think other comics to leap into would have been a perfect fit. But if one of those secret projects Twisted Pixel is toiling on instead rhymes with "Flosion Dan Woo" all will be forgiven.
Comic Jumper review: Panel beater
Games are made by human beings. It's easy to forget that fact when you're playing an extravagant, focus-tested blockbuster like Assassin's Creed, whose high production values can even obscure a team of over 200 people. In contrast, Twisted Pixel's games don't feel like perfectly orchestrated, inhuman feats -- they feel like they were handmade, just for you. That contrast isn't diminished when the Texas-based indie developer attempts more complex storytelling in Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley. There has never been this much dialogue, creative presentation and extra content in a Twisted Pixel game, and while it feels less economical and less elegant than either The Maw or 'Splosion Man, hubristic hero Captain Smiley doesn't waste his time in the spotlight. %Gallery-88440%
Comic Jumper preview: Mashed-up mayhem
Twisted Pixel has risen to XBLA fame with critically acclaimed titles The Maw and 'Splosion Man. When the developers offer to personally stop by your West Los Angeles apartment to show you their latest title, Comic Jumper, you say yes. That's what I did, and in addition to playing through the first level and getting a feel for the mechanics, I played a few later levels and got a good look at all of the collectibles and extras you'll be unlocking throughout the game. Comic Jumper is a longtime passion project for Twisted Pixel -- COO Josh Bear drew the game's main character, Captain Smiley, way back in seventh grade, and it's something the company has always wanted to make. After the success of 'Splosion Man last year, the team decided to have a go at finally turning it into a game. "It's not like we have any idea of how long the company could be around," Bear joked. %Gallery-88440%
Microsoft showing off upcoming XBLA games during Fantastic Fest
Fantastic Fest, an annual, week-long film festival held in Austin, Texas, has broadened its scope this year to include a few high-profile downloadable titles. Attendees can visit the Fantastic Arcade to check out some upcoming games coming from the festival's sponsor, Microsoft Game Studios -- titles including Comic Jumper, A World of Keflings, Hydrophobia and Super Meat Boy. The Fantastic Arcade opens its doors on Thursday, September 23. If you live in the Austin area and want to catch an early glimpse of some of these games, you can check out a schedule of demos and showtimes on the event's official site.
Gorge on Comic Jumper, Hydrophobia, Pinball FX 2, and Super Meat Boy in XBLA Game Feast
Major Nelson has announced the lineup for Microsoft's XBLA "Game Feast" promotion, and, well, we suggest having a metaphorical Tums on hand in anticipation of this smorgasbord. The first course, on September 29, is Hydrophobia for 1,200 Microsoft Points. Twisted Pixel's Comic Jumper follows on October 6 at the same price. Pinball FX 2 will be available October 13. It's free, and can import tables from the first Pinball FX, with each additional table purchased individually. Finally, as discovered earlier this morning, Super Meat Boy will serve as (a kind of disgusting) dessert on October 20, also for 1200 Points.
Preview: Comic Jumper
If one word describes Twisted Pixel's games thus far (The Maw, 'Splosion Man), it's character. Sure, the gameplay -- especially in 'Splosion Man -- is certainly more than adequate, but "Everybody Loves Donuts" and adorable little scamps who can only say "Mawwwwwwww" are really what I've taken from TP's games thus far. And, from what I played of Comic Jumper's E3 2010 build, it seems that the developer plans on continuing in this tradition with Captain Smiley, his partner Star, and the many, many characters littered throughout the game's multiple comic styles. Which isn't to say that, you know, actually playing the game isn't a blast -- it is! At its heart, Comic Jumper is a 2D side-scroller --that said, in typical TP style, variants abound. The game quickly jumps from side-scrolling to lightgun shooting to on-rails action, intuitively adjusting the controls as it goes. Was it occasionally frustrating? Sure, but I'll allow the occasional frustration for all the yucks.%Gallery-92486%
Comic Jumper packs in free 'Splosion Man DLC (plus: new trailers!)
You know, we thought we couldn't want need Twisted Pixel's Comic Jumper any more than we already do, but the announcement that two new levels for 'Splosion Man will be included with the game offers almost too much value for us to handle. And that's not even taking into account the two new trailers developer Twisted Pixel has sent along with the news. You can check out an overview of the game above and find the good gameplay stuff just beyond the break.
Comic Jumper's second, totally barbaric comic style revealed
Click to Barbarian-size Curious about the variety of artistic and thematic comic book styles you'll experience once you get your hot little hands on Twisted Pixel's action-platformer, Comic Jumper? The game's second overworld was recently revealed in screenshots and concept art, and ... well, we sure hope the estate of Robert E. Howard never sees this particular stage, as it clearly parodies his beefy, Cimmerian brainchild. Heck, the comic's named Nanoc: The Obliviator -- flip it around, and you get Conan. (Actually, you get Rotaivilbo Eht: Conan, but ... well, two of those words aren't words.) Check out both galleries below to get a sense of what the world of Nanoc is going to look like, then check out Twisted Pixel's in-depth preview on the game's official website. %Gallery-92487% %Gallery-92486%
Interview: Twisted Pixel's Mike Wilford talks Comic Jumper
After a grinning Peter Molyneux told Joystiq that Comic Jumper reminded him of a game he would have made twenty years ago (that's a compliment!), we stopped by developer Twisted Pixel's humble South by Southwest booth where CEO Mike Wilford told us about the encounter. "He gave us such a compliment, it was amazing!" Wilford said. After seeing what all the buzz was about, courtesy of a ten-minute demo, we rapped all about Comic Jumper's roots, how Twisted Pixel has changed after the success of 'Splosion Man, the return of 2D mascots (Hello, Sonic! Hello, Rocket Knight!), and where they find inspiration. Read on! Joystiq: What kind of games are you harkening back to with Comic Jumper? It looks like there's a little bit of everything in there. Mike Wilford: Definitely Contra, Gunstar Heroes, and a common theme across all of our games is that they're character-driven. We try to put a lot of personality and humor into the characters, so Earthworm Jim is a huge influence for us. Back in the day, there seemed to be a whole lot of mascot-type characters in games, like Mario, Sonic, all those things, and not many devs seem to be doing that anymore. We're trying to bring that back a little bit with our games.
Leap into the first screens of Comic Jumper
Jump into our Comic Jumper gallery After having to endure concept videos and shaky-cam gameplay, we finally have some real, honest-to-goodness screens of Twisted Pixel's upcoming Comic Jumper for you to rest your weary eyes upon. They're all lifted from the first "comic" of the game, "The Adventures of Captain Smiley," which Twisted Pixel has described jokingly as "kind of a crappy comic." Perhaps that explains why the titular hero will be busting out? If your thirst for funny book action still hasn't been slaked, we hear you'll be able to see a demo of the game next week at PAX East. Can't make it to PAX East? We've got that very same demo in video format (direct feed this time!) after the break, along with a gallery of concept art for the game. %Gallery-88440%
