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Ninjabee's new XBLA Avatar game revealed this week
Remember the Avatar game that XBLA developer Ninjabee announced earlier this month? We still don't know much about it. Ninjabee has released some concept art on its blog but, as the weird bird above will attest, that hasn't been too helpful in identifying the project. Thankfully, there is some good news, as the company has announced that its next game will be officially revealed later this week (tomorrow, in fact). Based on the art we've seen, we're guessing it's not A Kingdom for Keflings 2. Whatever it is, you can bet we'll be posting it right here as soon as it's announced.
NinjaBee buzzing about 'Ancients of Ooga'
NinjaBee has revealed Ancients of Ooga will be the next title by the team behind Cloning Clyde, which was one of the few original releases on Xbox Live Arcade way back in the summer of 2006. NinjaBee teased this announcement a couple weeks ago -- not that this notification is anything more than another tease, as there's no screenshots, gameplay details or a release window for the game. At least NinjaBee had the decency to bestow a name upon the game (and some googly-eyed concept art). John Nielson, founder of J. Kenworthy Entertainment, the studio behind Cloning Clyde, states that the team was "bombarded with requests" to clone Clyde for a sequel. Although Ooga isn't a sequel, Nielson considers it a "spiritual successor," due to Clyde's fundamental influence on the game. Maybe if we wait another two weeks NinjaBee will tease Ooga's file size ...
Ninjabee developing 'spiritual successor' to Cloning Clyde
Speaking on the Gathering of Gamer's Podcast, Ninjabee's Steve Taylor dropped a few hints about the company's upcoming Xbox Live Arcade project. In addition to an update and DLC for A Kingdom for Keflings, Taylor says Ninjabee is working on a game created by the same team that was behind Cloning Clyde, one of XBLA's earliest original titles. While he doesn't give specific details about the project, Taylor does say that "It's more of a spiritual successor to Cloning Clyde" than any other game Ninjabee is working on. Furthermore, the game will have the same designer and creative director, John Nielson. According to Taylor, an official announcement should be made "hopefully, within a month." [Thanks, jonathan]
Rumor: NinjaBee disc compilation releasing this fall [update]
It appears that a disc compilation of NinjaBee's Xbox 360 DLC games is in the works for this fall. The NinjaBee Critic's Choice Collection announcement comes courtesy of a GameFly post which, if history serves us properly, are typically not speculative. The only thing that may be buzzing in our ear as bee-ing iffy is the release date of October 15. We've contacted NinjaBee for confirmation, but were told that it couldn't provide us any information at this time. Although we're unaware of what games would be on the disc, NinjaBee's titles include: Outpost Kaloki, A Kingdom for Keflings, Cloning Clyde, Band of Bugs and many more. We're leaving the hive door open if the company wants to give us the buzz. Update: Officially, the company stated it does not comment on rumor and speculation; we were also told to "watch carefully for an upcoming announcement." But, when explaining the company's philosophy, a representative said, "If we were to do something like that, we would want to pack as much as we can onto a disc ... we'd want to offer a good value there." [Thanks, Chris S.]
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: A Kingdom for Keflings
After a week with no XBLA games, we were ready to sink our teeth into something new. This week, we not only get A Kingdom for Keflings, but it also happens to be the first Xbox 360 game that lets players use their Avatar as a playable character. We take the game and our Avatar for a spin in the latest episode of XBLA in Brief. Check it out in the video above.[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[M4V] Download the M4V directly.
New screens and trailer of Avatars in Kingdom for Keflings
Last week, Microsoft announced that Ninjabee's upcoming city builder A Kingdom for Keflings will be the first Xbox 360 game to allow players to play as their own Avatar. We spoke with Ninjabee following the announcement and now we have some exclusive new screens and a new trailer showcasing Avatars in A Kingdom for Keflings. Whether you decide to help your Keflings construct their village or just punt them like footballs is up to you. Somehow, we imagine the former is more likely to get your Keflings to dance at your feet, though. Check out the new trailer embedded above and the new screens in the gallery below.Also, Ninjabee's logo, the ninja bee, needs his own game. Period.%Gallery-28993%
Ninja Bee finds A Kingdom for Keflings
Taking a different approach to the traditional video game press release, the crew over at Ninja Bee have put together their creative minds announcing a new XBLA game A Kingdom for Keflings and the fact that they've actually hired twenty of these mysterious Kefling creatures to help around the studio. You can watch some of the Keflings' super helpful soda handiwork in the Ninja Bee produced video above. Interesting, no?Details are extremely light, but all you really need to know is that A Kingdom for Keflings is some sort of game that'll release this Fall, will feature "light-hearted gameplay with graphics and original music to match" and will somehow incorporate a bunch of three foot tall Keflings. Maybe it'll be an updated Lemmings-style game. Or maybe an elf simulator.
SAGA now available for free, minus some features
More than ever, it appears as though MMO developers are struggling to keep afloat using the traditional models for monetization. SAGA is a game that's had an interesting subscription model from the getgo, shirking the typical subscription fee model for a CCG-esque booster system. Once you've bought the client, the game is free to play. The only caveat is that you can only get additional troops for your army by purchasing "boosters" for an additional fee. It's really a pretty brilliant system, combining two types of games (CCGs and MMOs) that are independently addictive, and fusing them together into what one would have assumed was a license to print money.We haven't really heard how the game has been doing since it's since it finally emerged from beta last week, but already Wahoo Studios is shaking things up in an effort to draw in players. Like a drug dealer looking to give clients a first taste to get them hooked, they're now offering a free version of the client to give would-be players a better idea of what's on offer. The free client is missing a few features, but a free something is always better than nothing. Unlike a trial though, there is no time limit on how long you can use the free client. Seems they're confident in their product. It's probably worth a shot if an MMORTS/CCG sounds up your alley![Via Warcry]
X3F hands-on: Band of Bugs
Xbox Live Arcade is finally starting to pick up steam and, as a result, more game genres are being represented. We've got fighters, beat 'em ups, puzzle games, arcade classics, board games, and many more. There hasn't been much in the way of turn-based strategy though. That is, there wasn't until Band of Bugs. Coming to us from NinjaBee, the same folks who brought us Cloning Clyde and Outpost Kaloki X, Band of Bugs takes the same lighthearted, humorous approach to turn-based strategy. Read on to find out how Band of Bugs fares.
Win Band of Bugs from Uncle Gamer
The kind and generous souls over at Uncle Gamer are at it again. This time, they're giving away a redemption code for Band of Bugs, the latest release from our friends at NinjaBee. We've been having a lot of fun with Band of Bugs so far, and that feeling will only be made better when you realize you didn't pay a dime for it, right? If you'd like your shot at some free, lighthearted strategy goodness, head over to Uncle Gamer and enter. They're accepting entries until Friday, so get cracking!
And the Band of Bugs winner is ...
It's time to pick a winner for our quick and dirty Band of Bugs giveaway. We've sifted through the virtual hat and pulled out a name. That name is ... Joseph Pinero, who reminds us that Band of Bugs goes "SPLAT." Indeed it does, Joseph. Indeed it does. Congratulations, your code will be winging its way to your inbox in no time. If you didn't win, don't worry, we've got lots of contests lined up over the summer. You should be hearing about a new one very soon.
Win Band of Bugs from X3F
Update: A winner has now been selected. Click here to see the winner.Insects. Turn-based strategy. At first glance, these two things don't seem to go together. As it turns out though, Band of Bugs (from our friends at NinjaBee) proves that war and insects are the digital equivalent of peanut butter and chocolate. We managed to snag an Xbox Live Marketplace download code for this delicious concoction and we're giving it away to one lucky reader. If you'd like your shot at winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. We'll pick a random winner today at 4:00PM Eastern, just in time to enjoy the game after work. Get to commenting and good luck!General contest stuff: only one entry per person. Winner will be contacted via email.%Gallery-4176%
GDC 07: Band of Bugs hands on
Sitting right next to Castle Crashers was a game not nearly as publicized, NinjaBee's Band of Bugs. We managed to wrangle a Band of Bugs interview a while back, and we were pleased to see the game at GDC (Band of Bugs is part of the Independent Games Festival) and speak with Steve Taylor, president of Wahoo Studios (NinjaBee's parent company). We spent a lot of time looking at Band of Bugs. We got a chance to learn about the level editor and even got a little time to play the game itself. Read on for first hand impressions of this unique Xbox Live Arcade title.
Namco Bandai announce Outpost Kaloki successor for Wii
While not a true sequel to the Xbox Live Arcade launch title, Namco Bandai have announced Space Station Tycoon for the Nintendo Wii; a follow-up to NinjaBee's Outpost Kaloki X. This will be the first title that has gone from a console specific, download initiative and turned into a full-fledged retail product.In an interview with IGN, players from both Namco Bandai and Wahoo Studios (the house of NinjaBee) talk at length in bringing their intergalactic management sim to the Wii. Aside from a bevy of tweaks and improvements to the core of the game, Space Station Tycoon will feature customizable space stations, co-operative play and will be entirely playable with only the Wii remote.The developers also make it clear that Space Station Tycoon does not utilize any content from Outpost Kaloki. Still, it does look mighty familiar. Space Station Tycoon is currently scheduled for a Summer 2007 release.
What are you playing: FINISH HIM edition
Another Friday, another edition of -- say it with me now - "What are you playing?" Personally, I've been playing a lot of Xbox Live Arcade lately. All these titles in the last month or so, it feels like an embarrassment of riches. So, this weekend, I'll be playing UMK3, DOOM, Lumines (yeah, I can't help it), and even getting some achievements for Cloning Clyde. I may sprinkle in some LEGO Star Wars II and some Enchanted Arms, too. On a side note, I don't know how many of you have gotten Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, but I had forgotten how incredibly cheap the AI is. It's terrible. It's not just cheap, it's the kind of cheap programming that allows CPU players to cut corners that human players can't. For instance, computers can skip frames of animation so that they can react faster -- like jump kicking you even though you started your jump kick first, etc. It's maddening. And, for the record, Shao Kahn may be the cheapest boss ever. How about all of you? Hmmmm? What will you be playing this weekend?
Not so special edition of Viva Pinata [update 1]
Not content with brainwashing our children with simple "standard" editions of the kid friendly Viva Piñata, Microsoft has made known their intentions to release a "special" edition of the title. What makes it special, you ask. You see beyond just the game, buyers of the special edition will receive playable demos of Lego Star Wars II, Frogger, Cloning Clyde, Time Pilot, and Marble Blast Ultra. That's right, they're bundling in demos that can be had for free on Xbox Live (with the exception of LSWII). Also included is a full length episode of the TV show (any drug dealer will tell you that the first taste is free). No doubt, MS is including these easily obtainable extras for the benefit of kids and parents who have yet to grasp the complexities of Xbox Live and its Marketplace. For gamers like us that understand our console, the extras hardly seem like a value add. Still, we're sure that this will force many parents to learn how to use Live properly. There may be no better educational incentive than the pleading scream of a child: "It says I need Xbox Live! Make it work!" Even though the value of the demos is questionable, you can't argue with the $49.99 price tag. Hell, that would be a deal if it came with nothing. Update: Fixed grammatical error -- two in one day. Jeez.
Free Poker next week
Sure, the only Live Arcade item we're getting this week is Cloning Clyde pictures, but next week we get free poker. That's right, folks, Texas Hold 'em will be free after all (thanks to the most pathetic petition ever?). There's a catch, though. You've got to download the game within the first 48 hours of its availability. Which brings us to an important question. What happens if the download starts in the first 48 hours but then hangs at 99%? Is it still free? Hopefully, none of us will have to find out. What's more, it looks like our previous report on the upcoming lineup of games was right on the money. Texas Hold 'em (Free, see above) will hit on August 23rd, followed by Time Pilot (400 points) on August 30th, and Scramble (400 points) on September 6th. And Lumines? September 13th we hope. [Via Joystiq. Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Sunday at X360F: arcade madness results
The results from last Sunday's poll are in and it was a major upset to say the least. In a come-from-behind victory that nobody was expecting even in their wildest of wild dreams, Street Fighter II -- the plucky underdog that nobody believed in -- has come out on top with an astonishing 32% of the poll totalling 763 votes. Now, with the sarcastic statement of the obvious out of the way, let's look at the results. It seems SFII has a monopoly on gamer nostalgia, as the other retro classics, Galaga, Pac-Man, and Frogger gather a paltry 11% of the vote with 242 votes combined. It should be noted that Galaga seems to be the favored retro hit outside of SFII, though. By far the most interesing aspect of this poll is the performance of Lumines Live, Small Arms, and Texas Hold 'em, with a combined 47% of the vote. This is evidence that the real strength of Live Arcade is its ability to bring us original content (just as Cloning Clyde project lead, John Nielson told us earlier this week). No doubt had titles like Castle Crashers and RoboBlitz been on the poll, they would have shown a strong performance as well. So, to wrap up, Capcom is the king of selling us our youth, and people want to see more games that you can't get anywhere else. Here's to the 360 for making Wednesdays a little brighter. Cheers.
Cloning Clyde interview with John Nielson
I was recently given the opportunity to interview NinjaBee's John Nielson, one of the many people behind the latest Live Arcade release, Cloning Clyde. The game released today and is one of the few original titles amongst a slew of nostalgic coin-op favorites. A puzzle platformer with a sense of humor, Cloning Clyde is sure to stand out among Live Arcade's current roster. Read on to find out what makes it special.
Cloning Clyde hits XBLA
Open up your wallets, Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday is here again! This week's release is Cloning Clyde, the wacky -- perhaps even "zany" -- platformer from NinjaBee and Wahoo Studios, the same folks who brought you Outpost Kaloki X. The game is available for a cool 800 points. Go grab the demo and tell us what you think. And since we're on the topic, don't forget to vote in this week's poll: Which XBLA game do you want most?
