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Shadow Complex likely won't be less than $20
While checking in with Epic's upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title Shadow Complex again today, we were given a nice little tidbit of info from Epic programmer Rob McLaughlin. While playing through the game's introductory level, we casually asked about a price for Unreal Engine 3-fueled shmup, to which Rob replied that the title would likely not see price point below $20. We grilled hm for more info, but, sadly, he couldn't accommodate us.
Shadow Complex has stat trackers beyond Achievements
Shadow Complex, the XBLA game from Chair and Epic that's two parts Metroid and one part Castlevania (even Cliff Bleszinski noted it was a "Metroidvania" title), has a robust stat tracking system behind the scenes. Beyond the standard Xbox Live Achievements, the game also tracks things like headshots with "Your head a-splode." The 10-15 hour title is meant to be accessible to those who casually played titles like Super Metroid, but it's definitely being designed to appeal to speed-runners. There will be unlockables in the game for playing with only a certain weapon or beating the game under a certain amount of time. Chair's Donald Mustard told us there's a special unlockable for beating the game in under two hours*. Our theory: Marcus Fenix skin for the main character. *Update: MTV Multiplayer has more details on the 2-hour speed run (one of several "Master Challenges"), which has been dubbed "Jason Bailey" -- an obvious homage to Metroid's skivvies code, JUSTIN BAILEY. New theory: Scantily clad Marcus skin unlocked. %Gallery-64709%
Hands-on: Shadow Complex not too complex, very familiar
click to power-up Let there be absolutely no doubt that Chair Entertainment's Shadow Complex is heavily inspired by 2D exploration games of yore, namely Metroid and Castlevania. The Xbox Live representative that guided our hands-on demo used the word "Metroid" no less than 437 times (slight exaggeration). The game is 2D, it doles out power-ups gradually and contains plenty of exploration and action. Let's be clear about this: That is absolutely not a bad thing. %Gallery-64709%
Shadow Complex: Metroid meets Contra and HAS A BABY
When Epic's Cliff Bleszinski hit the stage sans Lancer at Microsoft's E3 keynote, many at both the Microsoft keynote and here at the Joystiq mobile HQ wondered what Epic was up to. Then, we noticed he was accompanied by Chair Entertainment's Donald Mustard, and we caught our first glimpse of Shadow Complex, a game with heavy amounts of influence from 2D titles such as Metroid and Contra, with a splash of its own unique 3D action, making this a project all its own. For an XBLA title, it has an incredible amount of polish, and we're sure the price will reflect that when it releases this summer. %Gallery-64709%
Epic Games' next is Shadow Complex for Xbox Live Arcade
Epic's Cliff Bleszinski just took the stage at Microsoft's E3 keynote and revealed Shadow Complex, a new game for Xbox Live Arcade in collaboration with Chair Entertainment, the folks behind XBLA title Undertow. Mixing elements from titles such as Contra and Super Metroid, the game is a 2D title infused with slick 3D graphics. Big guns and big enemies are the name of the game here, as Bleszinski promises big boss battles and a summer release for the title.
Nintendo icon Howard Phillips joins Epic-owned Chair Entertainment
Undertow developer Chair Entertainment has hired Howard Phillips as its new Studio Director. Phillips is best known for his time at Nintendo, during which he became a spokesman for the company and the star of Nintendo Power's "Howard & Nester" comic strip. Since then, he has worked at LucasArts, THQ, and Microsoft. "Howard has a remarkable history in the video game industry, and we expect the talent at Chair Entertainment to thrive under his leadership," said Michael Capps, president of Chair owner Epic. Chair is currently working on games based on Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game and Empire: Alpha Complex.
Epic Games looks to comics for building new IP
When in doubt, create comics. According to Epic Games president Mike Capps creating comics is a potential solution to future IP success. Apparently not content simply pushing out Unreal Engine 3 tech and becoming a shooter factory, Capps discussed the power to generate new IPs through the low cost medium and revealed Epic Games is keeping an eye on the industry. Keynoting the Casual Connect conference in Seattle early last week Capps, one of the quieter figures at Epic Games, discussed how Epic Games may have "lost some of our nimbleness" as a studio focused on the hardcore side of the games industry that is locked in an "arms race" searching for graphically overpowering software while smaller independent studios have more freedom to create innovative and creative entertainment while still turning a profit. Capps related this feeling as one of the core reasons the studio purchased Chair Entertainment, the studio behind the XBLA title Undertow, an acquisition they feel can help them create more casual gaming experiences. While Capps did not say Epic would be looking to comics specifically to create IPs that would later be generated into games, one could only assume that would be the final hurdle going forward.
The Best Of Big Download: May 16-22, 2008
Hello once again, loyal reader. The team at Big Download has had an extremely busy second week with lots of features, downloads and news to report about on the PC gaming scene. It doesn't get much bigger than the release of Penny Arcade Adventures (and yes we have the PC, Mac and Linux demo versions available to download) and of course Age of Conan was pretty huge as well. We are still trying to iron out a few more bugs on the site but we are pretty happy with what we've got so far. Let's take a quick look at the highlights for our second official week:Exclusive Features: PvP vs PvE: ArenaNet on Guild Wars: We chat with game designer Isaiah Cartwright on how they develop the PvP and PvE aspects of Guild Wars. Epic's Mark Rein on Chair Entertainment purchase: We chat briefly with Epic Games' VP on their acquisition of Chair Entertainment Age of Conan: The pros and cons: Should you buy Funcom's new MMO? We look at the pluses and minuses of the fantasy game. Big Iron: Age of Conan's demanding tribute: Our hardware columist takes a look at what kind of PC you will need to run Age of Conan MODverlous Monday: Our new weekly mod column takes a look at two Half-Life 2 mods Freeware Friday: Our weekly look at free games takes a look at the classic title N Casually Speaking: Orisinal and the Zen of design: Our casual game columist checks out an impressive casual game web site Talkin' Smack: Online voice chat in kids' games: An editorial on how game designers might deal with the tricky issue of game voice chat for children Guide to Team Fortress 2 Medic Achievements: Check out the final two parts of our extensive look at the various achievements for the Medic class in Valve's multiplayer shooter: Part 5; Part 6
Orson Scott Card games from Undertow devs
In a move that came out of the blue, but somehow feels right, Epic games (of Unreal and Gears fame) has acquired Chair Entertainment, the developers of Undertow for XBLA. Undertow was one of the earlier games to experiment with using Unreal Engine 3 on the Live Arcade and the fact that they are now owned by the makers of said engine seems to sit right. Chair Entertainment will still be known as such, and they are currently at work on two new projects, both of which have no announced platform (though XBLA is likeliest). The two games' titles are Empire: Alpha Complex and Ender's Game: Battle Room, both of which are based on properties of the novelist Orson Scott Card. Nothing else is known, but given the titles and properties that they correspond to, color us intrigued.
Epic Games takes seat, acquires Chair Entertainment Group
Epic Games today announced its acquisition of Utah-based Undertow developer, Chair Entertainment Group. Under directors Donald and Geremy Mustard, and CEO Ryan Holmes, Chair Entertainment becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Epic, keeping both its name and "its focus on creating new original game properties which utilize Epic's Unreal Engine technology." We've placed the full press release, which contains the usual "We're thrilled to buy this awesome company!" and "We're so glad this amazing company bought us!" quotes, after the break. Not specifically mentioned is how the acquisition will affect Chair's Ender's Game projects, if at all. After requesting comment, we were promised an update "as soon as one is available." Funny, we were just about to tell you readers the same thing.
Shhh, half-price Undertow expansion available now for 200 MS points [update]
There's an expansion available now for XBLA game Undertow, but this time around the content is going to cost you. The special part is continuing the aquatic action won't cost 400 MS points as originally expected because it's currently available for 200 MS points ($2.50 in surface currency). If this is an accident and you're a fan of Undertow, now's the time to purchase it! If the half-price sale hasn't sold you, here are some details on the Path of the Elect expansion. It includes five campaign levels, a new alien race called the "Elect" and four multiplayer maps. Now, go grab this deal in case it doesn't last. Update: The expansion price has been changed to 400 points.
Undertow expansion on LIVE at 400 MS points [Update]
Update: It looks like the original price-point of 200 MS points this morning was in fact an error as the price of the Undertow expansion has been raised to 400 MS points.Earlier in the week we reported that the expansion to Undertow, Microsoft's apology gift to gamers for the LIVE service downtime, would be hitting the Marketplace at 400 MS space bucks today.Well, one for two ain't bad. The Undertow expansion, Path of the Elect, has hit the Xbox Live Marketplace but at the low price of 200 MS points (aka $2.50). According to the listing on Xbox.com the expansion pack price was slated at 400 MS points, so it is unclear if the content was priced down prior to release or if the Xbox Live Marketplace listing is an error.Regardless, 200 MS points for the expansion is a steal and fans of Undertow should take notice immediately -- especially if this was a mistake!
Undertow Path of the Elect expansion this Wed
Microsoft's Xbox Live outage apology gift, Undertow will be sprouting a new set of expansion fins tomorrow with the release of a new Path of the Elect expansion pack.Undertow's Path of the Elect expansion will give XBLA gamers an additional five campaign single / co-op levels, a new playable alien race called the "Elect" and four extra multiplayer maps. But this is not charity DLC as Chair Entertainment will be charging 400 Microsoft points for their Path of the Elect content. Then again, it isn't like the majority of Undertow owners didn't get the game for free, so we'll probably be tiny bit more open minded with our purchasing decision. Path of the Elect. DLC. Tomorrow. Buy.
Ender's Game might end up on the DS
Any sci-fi geek worth his or her salt will have heard of Orson Scott Card's magnificent Ender's Game series. (The original happens to be one of this blogger's favorite books.)For those of you unfamiliar with the story, let's catch up. Ender's Game tells the tale of the young prodigy, Ender Wiggin, who must prepare to save the word by training at Battle School. Ender's training consists of (what else?) playing games -- intense, simulated battles that involve a lot of strategy and tactics.It was only a matter of time before a game about a book about playing games was made, and we couldn't think of a better way to do it than with Orson Scott Card's novel. Chair Entertainment (developer of XBLA 's Undertow) recently signed the rights to the series, and plan to (eventually) make the title for all consoles and handhelds.While games based on licenses have a tendency to fall short of our expectations, we're somewhat comforted to know that Orson Scott Card is "working with [Chair Entertainment] to ensure the game is as authentically Enderish as possible," as he puts it. We only hope that this title actually appears on our favorite handheld, and doesn't turn into DS vaporware like some others that we know. If it does come out on the DS, though, it probably won't be until after the game releases onto downloadable platforms first (which we assume will include Wii Ware, too).[Via Games Industry]
Chair to bring Ender's Game to the XBLA
Orson Scott Card and Chair Entertainment (the developers behind Undertow) just announced today that they're collaborating on a project to bring sci-fi novel Ender's Game into the video game world. Geeky fun!Newsweek's N'Gai Croal confirmed that Chair Entertainment will begin developing Ender's Game sometime later this year and that the gameplay will not be focused on the entire novel, but instead will be more focused on the Battle Room. Croal also confirmed that Chair will be developing the game as a digital distribution title for release on services like the Xbox Live Arcade. A fully geeked out press release can be read after the break. [Via Game Stooge]
Undertow team creating Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game's game
A new collaboration between renowned author Orson Scott Card and Undertow developer, Chair Entertainment, will see the popular sci-fi novel Ender's Game adapted into a series of video games "across all next-generation consoles, handheld platforms, and PC." The first offering is expected to begin development later this year and will be released in downloadable format. As the story of Ender's Game revolves around the protagonist's experiences within the "Battle Room" -- home to a simulation of futuristic combat -- it should come as no surprise to learn that Chair Entertainment's goal is to place players into the very same virtual environment. Turning Ender's fictional game into a "real" one certainly makes sly sense within the context of the book, though we would be slightly concerned if the people on our Xbox Live friends should start turning up dead. In a recently published interview, N'Gai Croal managed to catch-up with the Mustard brothers, Donald and Geremy, founders of Chair Entertainment. They described the Unreal-engine game with great relish, noting that the "the unique characteristics of the Battle Room will make a very compelling, competitive game play experience." Let's hope it can make up for the bad taste left in our mouths by one of their previous Card collaborations, Advent Rising. [Image: "Ender's Game(s)" by Penny Arcade]
Reminder: Last chance to download Undertow for free
Yeah, we know. The whole "deep sea diver combat" genre peaked with Sega's largely unknown arcade masterpiece The Ocean Hunter, but still, it's rude to look a gift horse in the mouth -- or, rather, to look a free game in the drearily repetitive gameplay. If you haven't done it yet, today is your last chance to download Undertow on the XBLA marketplace for the cost of zilch. Who knows, you may dig it -- and if all it costs is a moment of your time to pick up, isn't it worth checking out? Let us know if free was the right price for the game -- and if it served as an appropriate apology for the recent hiccups in the Xbox Live service.
This Wednesday: Just Undertow (but this time it's free)
While we're always pleased to get our scarred, scabbed hands on free stuff we hate to give up one of our precious Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays to do it. Major Nelson confirmed with our pals at X3F that this Wednesday's featured game would in fact be Undertow (again), but of course they're giving it away for free to say "sowwy" for all those ugly Xbox Live problems. So, no Rez HD or whatnot for you this week ... For those of you who've already purchased Undertow, we also wanted to direct your attention to this comment by Xbox Live's Major Nelson: "If you have already purchased the game, you can contact support and they will take care of you." We imagine by "take care of you" he means "provide you with a code for a similarly priced game" and not "outfit you with a pair of cement shoes and send you into the drink." But hey, be careful when you call up, okay? %Gallery-4096%
Microsoft apologizes for Xbox Live issues with free Undertow download
Nothing says "sorry" like a free game, and so, due to previous – and reportedly ongoing – Xbox Live service issues, Microsoft is going to offer Undertow free for download beginning next Wednesday, at 2 am PST, through Sunday. Two weeks ago, Xbox Live GM Marc Whitten posted a letter to Live subscribers apologizing for poor performance during the holidays and promising a freebie was on the way. There are currently no plans to offer a substitute game for those who already own Undertow. %Gallery-4096%
This Wednesday: Undertow washes ashore on XBLA island
Although the hubbub may be about the new, downloadable Halo 3 maps socking it to you next month, Microsoft also used today's announcement to remind us that we'll finally be seeing Undertow on the Xbox Live Arcade this week. As you can see from the above trailer, it's basically BioShock meets Aquaman meets shooting things. ... Or something. But this XBLA release got our old friend Stephen Totilo wondering: How do publishers make the most of their 50 XBLA megabytes? He got the answer to his question recently, via a pie chart from developer Chair Entertainment. If you're part of the tiny subset of the human race curious about this sort of thing (yes, that includes us), you can check out the breakdown right here.
