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Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster preview: Tickle me, Double Fine
"One of the things that I'm personally really passionate about -- the reason I'm in this industry -- is that I want to see our medium be more than it is already," Double Fine's Nathan Martz, and project lead on Once Upon a Monster, confided in me at a Microsoft press event yesterday. "Our human experience is so broad and yet our industry deals with such a narrow slice of it." Martz explained that the project was conceived with the express purpose of generating joy. "I wanted to explore emotions," Martz said of his goal going into development. "For me, the best one is joy. The early example of this is a girl I was dating at the time. She asked me if I had a 'happy' song, a song that you hear and it just makes you feel great. Everybody has a happy song, and that was originally the name of this project: 'Happy Song.'" I'll admit it: Playing a bit of Once Upon a Monster was a happy experience, one I think would be even more so for families and kids a little younger than myself.%Gallery-116735%
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Trailer
The first bit of footage from Double Fine's Kinect game, Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster, has found its way online, revealing what appear to be some on-rails segments and a Cookie Monster in flight. And here we thought cookies and gravity hated each other.
Psychonauts is $2.49 until 10AM Eastern on GOG.com
Criminally underappreciated action-adventure game Psychonauts is available on GOG.com for $2.49 until 10AM Eastern. If you already own it, send that cash to Double Fine to get Psychonauts 2 rolling. For pieces of Double Fine work on consoles, check out the studio's cost-effective, bite-sized offerings with Stacking and Costume Quest.
Double Fine tells how it got to Sesame Street
The announcement that Double Fine's next game would be a licensed (!) Sesame Street (!!) game for Kinect (!!!) was something of a shock. In an interview with Gamasutra, studio head Tim Schafer and project lead Nathan Martz explained how the project grew out of a shared love of Muppetry and an original idea that just happened to be perfect for the franchise. Martz came up with the idea for an "uplifting" game during the same Amnesia Fortnight event that spawned Costume Quest and Stacking -- a game that involved "cute, furry little monsters, making music and having fun," as Schafer described it. As work continued on the prototype, which already featured cute Henson-esque monsters like "Marco" (above, the one who isn't Cookie Monster or Elmo), the idea of pursuing the license came up -- and then when Sesame Street and WB made a deal for games, Double Fine saw an opportunity. The game focuses on the Sesame Street idea of the "Whole Child Curriculum," teaching social and emotional skills as well as healthy living habits. In addition, though, Schafer asserts that it will be funny. He calls Sesame Street a "secret comedy show" and intends to keep the same tone in the game. "They're satirical -- they don't just make bland shows for kids, they make them actually funny," Schafer said. "I think that's important for the kids and especially for the parents who watch them together. We're hoping that this is something parents play with their kids."
Sesame Street Kinect game being developed by Double Fine
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster will be brought to you this autumn by the letters D, F and K. Warner Bros. Interactive announced this morning that the children's television institution will be transformed into an "interactive experience" for Xbox 360's Kinect. The game will be developed by Double Fine Productions, the studio that's recently taken a new path with bite-sized downloadable titles like Costume Quest and Stacking. Accompanied by Cookie Monster, Elmo and other fluffy residents of Sesame Street, you'll explore a "living storybook" (entitled Once Upon a Monster). Parents and children can get active in this journey through a set of minigames that encourage "dancing, jumping, flying and more." From this initial announcement, it appears the game will be like an interactive Sesame Street episode. If Double Fine nails it, it holds serious potential for the studio that's only come close to having a break-out hit. Of course, if the series does take off (and remember, there's flying!) how is mom supposed to enjoy a quiet moment in the kitchen and a bottle of wine if she actually has to play along? Whatever happened to the good old days of television as babysitter? %Gallery-116735%
Stacking review: All dolled up
Double Fine has finally shaken off its chronic case of "If Only." As in, "Costume Quest is adorable, if only the combat wasn't so repetitive," or, "Brütal Legend is such a fun world, if only the mechanics worked better." With Stacking, the developer's new downloadable puzzler, Double Fine has delivered a well-rounded game that's drenched in as much charm as you'd expect. But's it's been married to a great gameplay conceit that could more than stand on its own. %Gallery-111931%
PS Plus users to get free download of Stacking, Killzone 3 demo
February's list of PS Plus goodies has been published on the PlayStation Blog, and there are some real doozies. First up is a free copy of Double Fine's latest, Stacking, which will be available to PS Plus subscribers on its launch day, February 8. For those keeping score, Stacking's usual asking price is $15. Subscribers will also be treated to an automatic download of the Killzone 3 demo on February 8. On February 18, PS Plus users will be treated to a free download of the PlayStation Mini Let's Golf. As revealed previously by Sega, PS Plus can also snag the Yakuza 4 demo a week early on February 15. Head over to the PlayStation Blog for the full rundown of upcoming PSN and PS Plus content.
Real-life Stacking dolls go on sale, promptly sell out
The dolls from Double Fine's upcoming Stacking title have been made real and were -- at least for a short time -- available for sale on the developer's site. Made in Russia, the real-life Matryoshka dolls were produced only in limited quantities and, as of this writing, are sold out. So, if you really wanted these, you'll likely have to start monitoring eBay. A least your predicament means that Double Fine picked up some extra cash. Tim Schafer himself says he hopes Costume Quest vinyls may appear sooner or later, to compliment the Eddie Riggs figure already available.
What's in a Name: Double Fine
It's time for another origin story of an industry presence. Today, we've got Double Fine's Tim Schafer, who can thank Uncle Sam for the inspiration of his studio's name: It came from this sign that used to be on the Golden Gate Bridge. I used to drive down from Sonoma when I was a teenager to see rock shows in the city, and I'd see that sign that said, "Slow to 45 mph, Double Fine Zone" and I thought, man, if I had a band I would name it "Double Fine" so that people would think I bought a really expensive billboard on the GG bridge. All of San Francisco is now declared a Double Fine Zone. Since I never got around to starting that band, or even learning how to play an instrument, I had to use the name somewhere! Double Fine is currently working on a title for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network called Stacking. Like this feature? Be sure to check out the What's In A Name Archives.
Stacking pops onto PSN Feb. 8, XBLA Feb. 9
Double Fine's second downloadable offering -- the last being the delightful Costume Quest -- for PSN and XBLA, Stacking, will arrive on those platforms February 8 and 9, respectively. Along with the dates, publisher THQ announced pricing: $14.99 on PS3 and 1200 Microsoft Points on Xbox 360. To get you in the mood for stacking Russian nesting dolls, we've posted video of a young lady who should be especially good at this game after the break.
THQ needs your money to publish more Double Fine games
Between the adorable (and enjoyable) Costume Quest last October, and the forthcoming (and quite charming) Stacking some time this year, we're quite looking forward to the other two downloadable titles in Double Fine's four game roadmap. And though THQ isn't the only publisher that could release them, it would sure like to be. "I really wanna do a lot more with Tim [Schafer]. I've always been a huge Tim fan. Grim Fandango to me is one of the greatest works of art in gaming," THQ Core Games head Danny Bilson gushed to us this afternoon. He said the choice to publish Stacking was an easy one. "Stacking I fell in love with. When Tim brought that in, I was like, 'Let's do this game! This is fantastic!'," he said. The game was later moved to THQ's "Kids, Family, and Casual" department (like Costume Quest), though Bilson's desire to publish more Double Fine games clearly hasn't diminished. He reiterated that, currently, his studio only has a two-game contract with Double Fine: the aforementioned Costume Quest and Stacking. "There's a few more that I've identified, but I haven't made those deals yet," Bilson told us. He then paused before adding, "We've gotta get some hits rolling so I have more money to spend, to be honest with you." And between Homefront, Red Faction: Armageddon and Stacking, there's ample opportunity for that money to be made in the first quarter of 2011.
Stacking preview: Matryoshka mix-and-match
At first glance, Stacking may seem like something you've never played before. Its core concept of possessing Russian nesting dolls (matryoshka) is something we've never seen in a game but make no mistake: this game is unequivocally a Double Fine joint. The characters are all fun (and quite funny) and, during a recent demonstration of the game at the Double Fine offices with studio head Tim Schafer and Stacking project lead, Lee Perry, I discovered that at its heart Stacking most resembles an adventure game. Stacking tells the story of little Charlie Blackmore, a young chimney sweep and member of an unlucky family during the latter years of the Victorian era. Mr. Blackmore, Charlie's pop, ends up getting a job as a chimney sweep for a wealthy baron one day and that's the last the family sees of him. Soon after, the baron's men come and collect the rest of the family, save for tiny Charlie. Throughout the course of the game, Blackmore must aid his family members by tackling a variety of challenges, some more jovial than others. The game's story is told entirely in silent film-style vignettes which are, like a lot of the game, just so darn charming. And that's the single word I keep coming back to when I think about Stacking: charming. The world itself has that Double Fine stamp on it -- the NPCs offer humorous banter and some of the challenges themselves are a bit ... weird. Following the convention "adventure game" formula, you need to do this one thing and you've got to figure out how to do it. Unlike a lot of adventure games, however, there isn't just one way to solve any puzzle or challenge. %Gallery-111931%
Double Fine's first 'Action Cast' reveals 'early 2011' release for Stacking
Tim Schafer and his perfect-for-radio vocal stylings have taken to the casting of pods, releasing the first ever Double Fine "Action Cast." For the inaugural episode, Schafer talks Costume Quest with the game's creative leads (Tasha Harris and Gabe Miller), among other topics. Of note, Schafer says that DF's next downloadable title, Stacking, is "essentially done" and "should be out in early 2011," a more specific launch window than we had previously heard. Also potentially of note, Tasha Harris says she's animating a "super secret project" right now. What could it be?! As the first show is a pilot, the studio is basing its decision to make more on listener response, so go get vocal in the post's comment section. We quite like the show and are hoping for more .... not that we're trying to influence your opinion or anything.
Costume Quest's 'Grubbins on Ice' on PSN Dec. 21
PS3 owners won't have to wait long to get their Grubbin hands on some new Costume Quest DLC. "Grubbins on Ice," the winter-themed content released on Xbox Live yesterday, will make its way to PSN on December 21. That's still in time for Christmas, for those of you who want to reinforce the tradition of playing Costume Quest on a holiday. The DLC brings the quest to a new area, the snowy Repugia, and, more importantly, new costumes including a ziplining pirate, an eyeball costume that can zoom out the in-game camera to find secrets, and a Yeti costume that can shield the party -- and is also nice and warm.%Gallery-109638%
Double Fine reveals puzzle adventure Stacking for spring of 2011
It seems you can't spit without hitting a digitally distributed puzzle adventure about Russian nesting dolls these days, and now Double Fine is adding to the pile with its next release. The just-revealed Stacking is slated to arrive in spring of next year on XBLA and PSN. The game, set in the 1930s, lets Charlie Blackmore (the world's smallest Russian nesting doll) slip into the husks of other local matryoshkas and use their abilities to solve puzzles in the world. Details are scant, but you can get a taste of Charlie's world in the debut trailer just after the break.
Costume Quest dons DLC this December with 'Grubbins on Ice'
Double Fine's earnest candy collection adventure, Costume Quest, is set to receive a new downloadable add-on in December for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Gamespot has the first word on "Grubbins on Ice," which sees the soon-to-be-rotund rascals entering Repugia, the snow-dusted realm of the Grubbins. Though the turn-based combat remains the same, Grubbins on Ice will introduce new costumes and patterns, along with several enhancements for the original game. An accompanying patch will address Costume Quest's save system (you'll now be able to save at phone posts within the neighborhood) and allow you to pause during cutscenes. Grubbins on Ice will also adjust the speed of the dialogue textsoyoucanfinishreadi- We'll let you know as we hear an exact release date and price.
Psychonauts 2: Tim Schafer is 'ready to do it'
From our "It's Fun to Dream" file comes a story from the latest issue of PSM3, in which Double Fine's Tim Schafer says he's ready to do a sequel to his classic action platformer Psychonauts. So ... Psychonauts 2: Revenge of the Milkman coming fall of 2012, pre-order now to get your commemorative goggles. Right? Not so fast, bucko. Schafer wants to make a new Psychonauts, but he still needs to find someone to help foot the bill. "It's really a question of getting a publisher who's interested in doing it," he told the magazine. "Over the years it's gotten into the hands of a lot of people ... so if all these people were going to buy the sequel it would be a big hit." So, any of you have a few spare millions kicking around? Maybe if everybody pooled together? Let's see, we have ... $7.12, a piece of Bazooka and a marble. That's ... that's not going to cut it, is it?
Costume Quest review: Anything can happen on Halloween
As anyone with kids or young siblings will tell you, finding quality games to play with them can be kind of a chore. Most are either too frustrating, too simple or just impossibly stupid. ... The games, that is. Not the kids. For those stumped parents, brothers and sisters out there, Double Fine's new RPG-lite Costume Quest is going to be sweeter than the candy the game's heroes and villains pursue so relentlessly. But even the mature, grown-up adults among you may be tempted to indulge in a piece or two, if you've got the patience. %Gallery-99218%
XBLA in Brief: Dream Chronicles, Costume Quest
Super Meat Boy might be the highlight of this week's XBLA releases (you should read our review!), but that doesn't mean it's the only release. There are two others this week, including Double Fine's first foray into the downloadable space, Costume Quest, and Dream Chronicles ... which is a hidden object game. Check out a preview of each in the latest XBLA in Brief, and stay tuned for our upcoming review of Costume Quest. [iTunes] Subscribe to XBLA in Brief directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the XBLA in Brief directly. [RSS] Add the XBLA in Brief feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
Costume Quest crusades to Xbox Live, PSN on Oct. 20 for $15
Double Fine's first downloadable title, Costume Quest, is set to bring out your inner child on Xbox Live and PSN on October 20, Game Informer reports. The action RPG -- which is the brainchild of lead animator Tasha Harris -- will be published under THQ's new "Kids, Family, Casual Games division" for $15 and tasks players with finding their lost sibling on Halloween night. [Thanks, Tyler C]