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#killallzombies makes undead slaughter social
#killallzombies isn't the newest trend on Twitter (though if it were, we imagine you'd have bigger concerns right now, like whether your doors are properly barricaded), it's a new game coming to PlayStation 4 from developer Beatshapers. So what's with the hashtag? According to post on the PlayStation Blog, #killallzombies takes place in a future where slaughtering zombies is an arena sport, televised for mass viewing pleasure. Meanwhile, in the real world, players can influence each others' games via Twitch integration on the PS4. When you play #killallzombies, an audience streaming your game can vote on one of two literally game-changing options every 80 seconds. Whether it's new enemies being spawned, challenges to overcome or perks, gameplay is always shifting. Beatshapers hopes to release #killallzombies sometime next month, but notes that progress depends on how QA testing goes. Hey, with the share function on PS4, do you think those zombies take a good #SELFIE? [Image: Beatshapers]
Beatshapers announces RC racer Ready to Run for PS4
If you've noticed a distinct lack of RC cars on your PS4, Beatshapers would like to fill that void for you with Ready to Run. Players will have 15 cars with arcade-like physics to choose from, none of which will require daily bulk purchases of AA batteries. See, it's already better than real life! Ready to Run will have a "single city environment featuring endless tracks configurations for different race modes," which will include realtime and asynchronous multiplayer. The racer isn't accurately named just yet though - Ready to Run will be a PS4 exclusive on the PlayStation Network in Q2 of 2014. [Image: Beatshapers]
Outland developer bringing fuzzy puzzler Furmins to PS Vita
Finnish independent developer Housemarque (Outland, Dead Nation) and mobile publisher Beatshapers announced the upcoming PS Vita release of Furmins, a Lemmings-like physics puzzler in which players fling armies of hapless furry critters to their salvation and/or doom. Similar to puzzle games like The Incredible Machine, Furmins equips players with a set number of puzzle pieces that must be carefully arranged in order to keep the Furmins safe from harm while escorting them to each level's exit. The Vita release follows up on Furmins' debut for iOS platforms last year, and includes more than 100 levels that each offer multiple solutions. Furmins is set to hit the PlayStation Network in October.
Jetpack Joyride lands on PlayStation Network
After going free-to-play on iOS and Android (and undergoing a subsequent Facebook port), Halfbrick's Jetpack Joyride has made its way to PlayStation Network today. Jetpack Joyride is available for $3.99 on Sony platforms right now under the Minis section, making it compatible with PSP, PlayStation Vita and PS3.Jetpack Joyride features the most recent version of the game, replete with waves of nigh-unending challenges, a store full of unlockable jetpacks, outfits and other virtual goods. Plus: lasers. There are so many lasers in this game.Jetpack Joyride on PSN also includes gadgets, like coin magnets and gravity belts, which were introduced in the 1.3 update.
Beatshapers Indie Bundle drums up attention on PSN
The Beatshapers Indie Bundle is part of the PSN drop this week, including five games "from famous independent game makers" for $6.99 in the US store and €5.99 in the EU store. The bundle features Wizorb from Tribute Games, Canabalt from Adam Atomic, Enigmo from Brian Greenstone, Galcon Labs from Phil Hassey and BreakQuest from Felix Casablancas.While you're checking out the high-profile finds from Tuesday's PSN lineup, don't forget about the big little guys in the Beatshapers Indie Bundle.
Wizorb breaks through as a PS Mini July 24
Wizorb is officially spreading to up to three more platforms next week in North America. Beatshapers has ported Tribute Games' RPG-style Breakout game to PlayStation Minis, allowing users to play it on PS3 and PSP, and, as Beatshapers says, "eventually on your PS Vita" – because of the vagaries of the Vita's PSP backward compatibility, it's difficult to tell if it will run on Vita, or if not, when.By breaking bricks and defeating monsters, you can help save the kingdom of Gorudo – both by, you know, defeating the monsters, and by collecting money to rebuild the destroyed homes and businesses in its towns.
WizOrb coming to PlayStation Minis this June
Generally, having a magical wizard in your pocket would either be incredibly uncomfortable for one (or both) of you, or prohibitively expensive. Wizard upkeep costs an arm and a leg as it is, and with the money you'd spend on the reagents needed to concoct a shrinking potion, you could buy an entire mage. It's a pain, and usually not worth it.There's is, however, a more humane, cost effective solution on the horizon. WizOrb, the pixelated, chiptuned indie block-breaking/RPG hybrid from Beatshapers and Tribute Games will smash through geometrically perfect arrangements of blocks and onto your friendly neighborhood PS3, PSP and/or Vita next month, when it launches as a $3.99 PlayStation Mini.%Gallery-156229%
StarDrone Extreme swings onto North American Vitas next week
Fast-paced Vita action game StarDrone Extreme is making its way to North America next week. The game features an "always-in-motion spaceship" that never stops moving once a level begins. Players control the ship by attaching it to gravity beacons using the touch screen, allowing the shop to launch itself in a new direction.Whether or not the new touch screen controls can elevate StarDrone Extreme above its PlayStation 3 cousin remains to be seen. Speaking of which, the PS3 version of StarDrone will be updated to allow players to save and resume their progress across both the PS3 and Vita versions of StarDrone.StarDrone Extreme will arrive on April 17 for $3.99.%Gallery-153137%
StarDrone review: I whip my ship back and forth
Great puzzle games all have one thing in common: they use easy-to-learn gameplay to mask their deceptive complexity and depth. Seemingly simple concepts are made compelling through clever design and tight controls. Ideally, players will argue over the best way to do things, the more heated the better. Hell, I once saw a couple of nerds get in a full-on fistfight over Bejeweled strategies. (Yes, it was awesome.) That said, I don't see StarDrone causing any fistfights any time soon. Sadly, there's just not much here worth coming to blows over.
StarDrone slingshots onto PSN April 5 with Move support
Described by its developer as a mix of pinball and brick-breaking, StarDrone finally has a launch date for North America of April 5, 2011. Already available in Europe, the title is designed with PlayStation Move in mind -- players aim at "hubs" and fire a cable to latch onto them -- but its creator, the Ukraine's Beatshapers, says it can be played just fine with a DualShock 3. You can get a much better feel for StarDrone's momentum-based gameplay in the new video after the break. The game will retail for $7.99, or $4.99 for PlayStation Plus subscribers.
StarDrone gameplay demoed as game Moves close to completion
We're not sure how the new PSN StarDrone gameplay seen in the trailer (after the break) actually works with the Move controller. You probably move that cursor around and press a button to "tether" up to those hubs, which is how it works on PC. It certainly does look like fun, and those trippy graphics and retro sounds really fill out the experience. PSNStores has a few more screenshots to browse through as well, all just as groovy. The site says that the game is stuck in QA right now, but it should arrive on the PlayStation Network at $7.99 ($4.99 for PlayStation Plus members) whenever it does see the light of day.
Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter clawing its way to PSP/PS3 Minis in August
Sure, you could pick up a Cabela game and go hunting for some helpless deer. Or, you can man up and start hunting dinosaurs. Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter is the third "minis" game from developer Beatshapers, who previously worked on NormalTanks and BreakQuest. You'll be tracking down fifteen different dinosaurs in five different levels, using a variety of weapons, including sniper rifles and crossbows. Don't expect an arcade-style game in the style of Turok, though. According to the press release, you'll have to take into account "wind direction" and use a "special dinosaur call" to successfully track and locate dinosaurs to hunt. That probably sounds something like this: "Oh my god, please don't eat me!" Carnivores will be available for PSP and PS3 next month.%Gallery-98115%
NormalTanks assaults PSN this Thursday
Click image to blast your way into our gallery In the mood for some old-school shmup action with a modern twist? This Thursday, NormalTanks -- not to be confused with those crazy tanks you see every now and then -- will release on PSN for the PSP and PS3. The game features a top-down isometric view and eight different environments to navigate and, as you may have guessed from the title, you control a tank. The PlayStation blog has a video showcasing the title, which we've gone ahead and parked past the break. And, if you're more of the "gotta blow it up now!" school of tank driving, check out the game's official site for a Windows version. %Gallery-91929%
BreakQuest delivering PSP Mini-sized Arkanoid clone
The world currently faces a crisis of epic proportions -- a global shortage of Breakout-esque games. Without competition, the few entries in this brick-smashing genre have monopolized the market, leading to a lack of competition, which will lead to another gaming industry crash, which will lead to complete economic collapse, which will lead to the nuclear apocalypse. Fortunately for us, indie developer Beatshapers will try to save our world this October with a ball-and-paddle PSP Mini titled BreakQuest. Okay, the demand for Arkanoid clones is considerably lower than the previous paragraph may have indicated, but we admit -- BreakQuest looks pretty stylish. Well, as stylish as an under-100MB Breakout title on the PSP could look. Check out the gallery below for a fresh batch of screenshots. [Via IGN] %Gallery-73940%
Indie PSP game, Rhythm of War, nominated for IGF award
Here's a game you haven't played before -- and it's already nominated for an award! The IGF Mobile Award nominees were revealed and the sole PSP candidate is this game: Rhythm of War. This "rhythm action strategy game" has players traveling through different time epochs to fight against aliens. Battles take place on four tracks, and players must follow the musical rhythm of each track in order to come out victorious.Alexey Menshikov (the game producer) told us that this game couldn't find a publisher due to rather lackluster support for the PSP platform However, with the PlayStation Store on PSP, there's new hope that the team will be able to find a publisher and distribute the game to the masses.We're big fans of music games, especially when they're created by indie teams. Hopefully, this newfound attention will give Rhythm of War the chance at life it deserves.[Thanks, David B.!]
