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Steam weekend deals: Walking Dead, Fez, Mars War Logs
Some good deals are lurking in the Steam weekend sale section. Telltale Games' The Walking Dead headlines this weekend's deals, offering up its entire first season for $6.24. The 400 Days DLC is also half-off during this promotion, bringing it down to $2.49. Polytron Corporation's Fez has also slashed its price in half: The standard game is $4.99 while the bundle including the soundtrack is down to $7.49. Rounding out the weekend discounts are select games from Focus Home Interactive, including Mars War Logs for $10, The Testament of Sherlock Holmes for $10.19 and Game of Thrones, available on its own for $7.49 or in a bundle including a bunch of DLC for $10. All weekend deals are available until the Steam store updates on Monday, September 9 at 10am PT.
Polytron's Fez coming to PlayStation 3, PS4, PS Vita
Polytron's acclaimed puzzle-platformer Fez is coming to the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PS Vita, Sony announced today at Gamescom. Polytron producer Marie-Christine Bourdua confirmed the news afterward. A release date is not yet known.
Sony drops PlayStation Vita price to $199, confirms Fez and other indie games are on the way
It's not just PS4 news from Sony at its Gamescom keynote today, the company has also just confirmed a big bit of PlayStation Vita news: it's dropping the MSRP to $199. That price goes into effect tomorrow. Sony also says that it's dropping the cost of the memory cards for the device, although it's not offering specific prices for those just yet. What's more, the company has also confirmed that a slate of indie games are heading to the handheld console this year, including Fez, which will also be making its way to the PlayStation 4 -- again, further specifics will have to wait, but we'll bring you those as soon as we know them. Update: We've just received specifics about those memory card price drops. The 4GB unit is falling from $19.99 to $14.99; the 8GB from $29.99 to $19.99; the 16GB from $59.99 to $39.99; and the 32GB from $99.99 to $79.99.
Game Music Bundle 5: Monaco, FTL, Fez, Gunpoint, more
If you recently binged on EA's Humble Origin Bundle of AAA games, Game Music Bundle 5 might help you recall the finer moments of some recent indie highlights. Game Music Bundle 5's pay-what-you-want pricing strategy is comparable to that of the Humble Bundles, but proceeds exclusively help musicians this time around. Any donation below $10 nets you the soundtracks for Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine, FTL: Faster Than Light, FEZ, Gunpoint, World of Goo, and Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded. Upping the ante to $10 or more grants the previously mentioned soundtracks plus additional music from FEZ, Monaco, Frog Fractions, Little Inferno, Super Panda Adventures, Marbel Time, Hero of Many, Me and My Dinosaur 2, Drox and Anodyne. Holy music, right? Beyond the offered albums, prizes are available to reward the highest donations. The eight most generous contributors will receive a Steam key for Monaco and a promotional poster for the game. The top five will earn the Monaco key as well as a copy of the Leisure Suit Larry score signed by composers Austin Wintory and Al Lowe. Lastly, the king of donations will win the previous prizes as well as a FEZ shirt signed by Disasterpeace, composer of FEZ's soundtrack.
Fez 2 cancellation 'a surprise' to Polytron producer
Polytron producer Marie-Christine Bourdua said she was surprised to learn Fez 2 was canceled, telling Joystiq she wasn't even in Montreal – the studio's home base - when company co-founder Phil Fish announced the game's fate on Twitter. "But it's ok," Bourdua told Joystiq at Torontaru July, a new monthly meet-up for game players and developers in Toronto, Canada. "It was weird and special to learn it that way, but I respect and trust Phil a lot, so that's totally fair that he decided that and he has his reasons." "We learnt it the same minute you did," original Fez programmer Renaud Bédard said, referring to the Fez 2's abrupt cancelation announcement on Saturday. "The development of Fez 2 is up to him. If he decided [to cancel it] now or he decided it at the end of development, it's easier to cut it out now, than it is to say 'Hey, we've been working on this for years and I'm not feeling able to finish it.' So in that way it just makes more sense," Bédard, who joined Capybara Games at the tail-end of 2012, added.
Phil Fish cancels Fez II, tells haters 'you win'
The game that helped to take indie development mainstream, while also proving how tortured and twisted the process can be, will not be getting a sequel. As you may have heard over the weekend, Fez's creator, Phil Fish, wrote a typically short and emotional fragment of explanatory text on Polytron's official website, saying that he's "getting out of games" and that he's killed the Fez II project that was announced last month and had been destined for the PC: "FEZ II is cancelled. i am done. i take the money and i run. this is as much as i can stomach. this is isn't the result of any one thing, but the end of a long, bloody campaign. you win." The "bloody campaign" in question likely consists of numerous hate messages that have been sent to Fish, sometimes in relation to his outspoken comments about other games and gamers, sometimes connected to things he did / didn't say about Microsoft, and other times simply due to the fact that Fez was so financially successful. We're not going to provide any specific examples, since gamer feuds are never worth the stress, but if you have a tougher skin and you want to know more, feel free to sully yourself at the links below.
Fez 2 canceled [Update]
Development on Fez 2 has ceased. The announcement was made earlier today by a tweet on the official Polytron account, which we then corroborated and verified with creator Phil Fish. "It's true," Fish told Joystiq in an email. Fez 2 was originally announced during last month's E3-concurrent Horizon conference, where it was the surprise, show-ending reveal of the event, following a cavalcade of other new indie developments from different developers. Beyond the fact that it existed, however, and that Fez composer Disasterpiece was also involved in production, nothing specific was known about the project. Update: The official Polytron Corporation website has been updated with a short, candid message reiterating the game's cancellation.
Steam Summer Sale snapshot: Fez sells 105K units in two days
Fez launched on Steam on May 1, following one year as an Xbox Live Arcade exclusive. On July 12, Fez joined the Steam Summer Sale, knocking half off of its price – bringing it to $5 – alongside an avalanche of hotly anticipated discounts. In its two days as part of the Steam Summer Getaway Sale, Fez sold 105,000 units, which is more than it sold in its first month on XBLA. In the first discounted day alone, Fez racked up more sales than it had in its previous three months on Steam. On Twitter, Fez creator Phil Fish described the numbers as "BANANERS" and "fuckin' NUTSO," which sounds accurate, especially when looking at the sales graph he included. We asked Fish if he's a fan of Steam sales, considering his game was half-off when it got those mad hits. "Yeah I'm a fan!" he said. "Even I can't find a way to complain about it." That's the most solid endorsement of the Steam Summer Sale we've ever heard – go check it out.
Fez getting all patched up on XBLA
Fez will get a new patch on Xbox Live Arcade, Polytron founder and Fez creator Phil Fish says in a tweet. Fez has been in need of an update on XBLA since June 2012 – Polytron actually released a patch that month that fixed a number of issues in the game, including infinite death loops, but that update caused some save files to read as corrupted. Polytron later re-released the patch without fixing the issue that caused corrupted save files, citing costs from Microsoft running into "tens of thousands of dollars" to issue that first patch. Latest reports indicate that Microsoft has dropped the fee for Xbox 360 developers to patch their games. Fish says the fresh update will take "a few months," but it's on its way. The problems with the first patch affect less than 1 percent of players, Polytron says, but it's a risk that most people would probably rather not take. Fez 2 is in development, but it's not coming to Xbox One or 360, Fish says.
Fez 2 is heading to 'not Xbox'
Fez fans won't be able to continue the dimension-twisting adventure on Microsoft's consoles. When Polygon recently inquired about potential release platforms for Fez 2, creator Phil Fish's response was, "Not Xbox." Fish's relationship with Microsoft soured in the months following Fez's Xbox Live Arcade release. A problematic patch was pulled and then subsequently reissued without addressing a save deletion bug affecting a small number of players. Fish claimed that the prohibitive cost involved in re-certifying the game effectively blocked the release of a new patch on the Xbox 360. A Windows version was later released via Steam and other services. Fish hasn't yet revealed which platforms he has in mind for Fez 2, but notes that the PlayStation 4 is a tempting prospect, due to its indie-friendly approach to publishing. "PS4 seems to be doing everything right," Fish said. "It's too early to tell how everything is going to unfold but their heart definitely seems to be in the right place." Fish continued: "Whether or not I would develop for it comes down to how the platform holder treats me. With Microsoft they've made it painfully clear they don't want my ilk on their platform. I can't even self-publish there. Whereas on PS4, I can. It's that simple. Microsoft won't let me develop for their console. But Sony will."
Microsoft's message to indies with Xbox One: 'It was sort of weird'
Microsoft's reveal of its next-gen console, the Xbox One, was high on broad entertainment apps such as Skype, interactive programming, media management and Kinect-powered features. Games saw a smaller showing, with two new announcements and a trailer for Call of Duty: Ghosts. Indie games got an even smaller nod – that is, none at all. E3 is right around the corner, with the Microsoft conference on June 10. Maybe that's where all of the Xbox One games are hiding, along with the console's indie plan. We asked a handful of indie developers what Microsoft's presentation today said to them specifically, and what they want to see at E3. Below we have responses from Rami Ismail of Ridiculous Fishing fame, Octodad's Philip Tibitoski, DLC Quest's Ben Kane, Charlie Murder's James Silva, Retro City Rampage's Brian Provinciano and Fez's Phil Fish.
PSA: Fez remix album, FZ: Side Z, fills your earholes today
FZ: Side Z is he second half of the Fez remix album and it's out today, assaulting your eardrums for $5 or more. The first half, FZ: Side F, launched on April 20 for the same semi-name-your-own price. Both albums feature tracks from various artists, including the original Fez soundtrack composer, Disasterpeace. You can give all of the tunes a listen – or throw down your favorite bill for the whole album – right here.
Fez fan art takes that spreadsheet joke to a whole new coordinate
In 2011, Fez developer Phil Fish said, "PCs are for spreadsheets." When he announced Fez would hit PC, fans and haters jumped on the "spreadsheet machine" dig. After Fez's successful XBLA and PC launches, this fan art by Steam user McKack is a good stopping point for the joke. All the jokes, even.
PSA: Fez flips platforms, lands on PC today
One year after its high-profile launch on XBLA, Fez is available on PC via Steam, the Humble Store and GOG today for $10. For $5 more on Steam, grab the game and its super-cool original soundtrack by Disasterpeace, or grab the soundtrack by itself for $7. Steam: Giving you all the options to spend your money. By April 13, Fez sold 200,000 copies on XBLA and we thought it was positively joyful. Creator Phil Fish suggests hopeful PC players purchase Fez via the Humble Store, since he gets 95 percent of that revenue, compared to 70 percent from Steam and GOG. If Fish insulted your grandmother and you really want to get back at him, go ahead and buy Fez through Steam or GOG and have a wonderful time playing it. That'll show him.
Fez gets another remix album May 7, 'FZ: Side Z'
Only two days after the release of FZ: Side F, composer Disasterpeace has announced another album of remixed Fez tunes. Titled FZ: Side Z, the album is to serve as "the second half" of the remix project, according to the latest Disasterpeace newsletter. We don't have much else to go on, apart from a small image of the album's cover, which is simply the letter Z in Fez's coded alphabet. Presumably, like Side F, the new album will feature tracks by various artists.The album drops on May 7, just a few days after Fez (the game) lands on PC. [Image: Cover art for "Kompass" on FZ: Side F]
PSA: Fez dons its pre-order cap today on Steam, GOG
Xbox Live Arcade indie darling Fez has entered its pre-order phase on both Steam and GOG today, offering a buck off the $9.99 asking price for early commitment. Fez will launch for Windows PC across both digital distribution platforms on May 1.The PC launch is the first action in a plan by creator Phil Fish to port Fez to "pretty much everything." PSN and PS Vita, Mac, iOS, Linux and Ouya ports are all in various stages of development and planning, Fish has said. In little over a year, Fez has sold more than 200,000 copies on Xbox Live Arcade.
Fez PC pre-orders turn the tables on Steam, GOG on April 22
For all you patient PC players itching to get your mitts on XBLA indie hit Fez, mark your calendars (probably take off those mitts first): Fez pre-orders open on April 22 via Steam and GOG, and the game will be 10 percent off – $9 – until it launches on May 1."No more waiting for a thing to actually be out before you can buy it! No more keeping all that pesky money to yourself! With our patented pre-order technology, we take your money today and give you something later!" Polytron's official pre-order announcement evangelizes. "Spend money and save money! At the same time!" Now that's a deal.We found 2012's XBLA version of Fez to be joyful, challenging and deeply satisfying as a puzzle platformer. That edition has sold 200,000 copies to date, and eventually, the game should be out on "pretty much everything," including Mac, Linux, Vita, Ouya and iOS.
Fez remix soundtrack out April 20, will keep you up at night
A special remixed soundtrack album celebrating Fez's first birthday will be released later this month. Entitled, FZ: Side F, the album features Fez's music remixed by various artists, including the game's original maestro, Disasterpeace.The first track, "Synchrosynct," is available to stream right now, with the full album launching on April 20 for the pay-what-you-want price of $5 or more.Just when you'd forgotten all about the many, many mysteries contained in Fez, they pull you back in.
Fez sold 200,000 copies on XBLA to date
Fez, Polytron Corporation's cute platforming game that made it into Joystiq's Top Ten of 2012 list, has sold over 200,000 copies on XBLA to date. The game crossed the 100,000 copies mark in late May 2012.The figures come from creator Phil Fish, who took to Polytron's blog today to discuss the one year anniversary of Fez's release. Fish recently noted during a Reddit AMA that the game "should eventually be out on pretty much everything." Fez will arrive on PC on May 1.
Phil Fish: Fez 'should be out on pretty much everything,' eventually
Fez has found its way to Steam, hitting PCs on May 1 – but that's not all developer Phil Fish has up his tiny, red hat. Fish hosted a Reddit AMA today, where he revealed Mac, Linux, Vita, Ouya and iOS versions of Fez are all in various stages of planning and development.Mac and Ouya ports are definitely on the way, while Linux is part of some "vague plans, but plans nonetheless. Fez should eventually be out on pretty much everything," Fish said. For Vita and PSN, Fish said he's working with Sony "to figure something out." An iOS launch is "highly probable."Fish also says "thanks for all the spreadsheet jokes." And you all thought you were so original.Check out all of the Fez information you never knew you wanted right here, and make sure to see the Fez Fish Gaijin Games created for Runner 2 (Warning: It's a fish in tightie whities, and we do mean tight).
