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Noby Noby Boy demoed at Apple Store in Japan
This one might require a little patience to watch, but those interested will be rewarded well, I think. The footage above is from an Apple Store in Toyko's Ginza shopping district, where none other than Keita Takahashi showed up to demo his latest iPhone game. Who's Keito Takahashi? He's the gaming auteur behind Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy, two of the weirdest yet most fascinating games of the last decade or so, and he's bringing Noby Noby Boy to the iPhone. Unfortunately, the above demo is in Japanese, but you can see what kinds of thinking is going into the game. It looks like he's completely revamping the game as a top-down physics-based version of the already very strange PS3 version. We would provide you with some more explanation, but it probably won't make things any clearer: the object of the game is to stretch out a little creature named BOY, and at the end of the level, your stretched length adds up with all the other players of the game online to another creature called GIRL, who is currently reaching out into the solar system. Told you it wouldn't help. Nevertheless, it's pretty fascinating just to watch the four videos (start here) and see what weirdness transpires in the video -- there are some interesting touchscreen controls, and lots of quick physics on the items bouncing around the iPhone's screen. It's not that great as an actual game preview, but that might not matter much anyway: Takahashi said a while back that whenever this weird monstrosity does release on Apple's handheld, "price-wise might be like free." We can't wait to see it. [via Panic]
Keita Takahashi 'not completely satisfied' with Noby Noby Boy, blames budget
Was Noby Noby Boy misunderstood by the gaming masses? Creator Keita Takahashi seems to think so, as he believes the game's limited resources didn't fully realize his vision. "Ultimately, with Noby Noby Boy, I wanted to break the barriers between toy and game," Takahashi explained to Develop. "But for me personally, a bit more could have been done to the game. I'm not completely satisfied with the game, in terms of quality, due to the restrictions on budgets."Takahashi, famous for his work on the original Katamari Damacy, has been surprisingly forthcoming on Noby's budget (or lack thereof). Had Takahashi been given additional resources he believes the game would have reached a much larger audience. "I won't go in to what I wanted to add to the game, because that's a really long list of things, but as an overall assessment, I think the game could have been much more detailed and easier for everyone to understand."It appears Noby's shortcomings won't stop Takahashi from working on an even crazier design. Already, he's thinking of a new project, one that "is even harder to explain than Noby Noby Boy." Fans of Takahashi's works wouldn't want it any other way -- but we wonder if publisher Namco Bandai will embrace an even more experimental game.
First look at Noby Noby Boy stuffed into an iPhone
Namco Bandai revealed the first screen of the iPhone Noby Noby Boy game to GAME Watch today, which can be seen here. As you may expect from a Keita Takahashi product, we can't really figure anything out about it based on this one screen, except that it's got BOY in it, and there's a display at the top of BOY's length. The game is currently 60% done, and has no announced release date yet.People still playing the PS3 game may not even care what the iPhone version is, as long as it helps them add all-important centimeters to GIRL. Also, the fact that it "might be like free" will no doubt influence people to pick it up regardless of whatever actually happens. At the very least, it already looks neat. Of course, this screen could be a trick, like this early trailer for the PS3 game.
Takahashi: Noby Noby iPhone is 'bait' for increased PS3 budget
We almost don't want to summarize this Eurogamer interview with Noby Noby Boy creator Keita Takahashi, and instead just tell you to go read the whole thing. Takahashi's disregard for video game convention and complete openness always make for an entertaining read. There are a few items of note that are worth pulling out, which are worthwhile even out of the context of "weird stuff Keita Takahashi said."For example, he reveals that Trophies won't be included in the new multiplayer update. "As this a free update, we can't add any." He also classifies the upcoming iPhone version of Noby Noby Boy as "bait:" "We used too much time and money to develop Noby Noby Boy, and there won't be any major updates in the future. However, I am trying to use the iPhone version in order to get more money from our top executives in order to keep updating the PS3 version."He hopes that the iPhone and PS3 versions will help GIRL grow faster, but Takahashi doesn't think he made her progress too slow. He told Eurogamer, "I don't think it is right to put an ending just for the sake of it. I believe that it is alright to create a stupid and irresponsible game, I really do."
Eat your friend's butt in Noby Noby Boy multiplayer mode
Think you're done with Keita Takahashi's Noby Noby Boy? Nope, there's still more to come. The upcoming multiplayer patch for the PSN sandbox "toy" will allow players to control their own stretchy BOYs. However, if one BOY eats another, you'll get a combined BOY where one player controls the head and the other controls the poo-poo side. The PlayStation Blog mentions four-player support, but Takahashi admits that the experience may be quite "chaotic." We're not sure how four-player support will be implemented, but we're certain Takahashi's team will figure it out ... even without the help of drugs.
Keita Takahashi not involved with Katamari Damacy Tribute
We didn't think that Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi had returned for the PlayStation 3's Katamari Damacy Tribute after sitting out Me and My Katamari and Beautiful Katamari -- though there was a vague hope in the back of our mind. Having the eccentric Takahashi at the helm would immediately transform the game from a sad exploitation of a dead franchise to MUST BUY NOW.Namco Bandai officially confirmed our suspicions, telling Eurogamer that Takahashi has not returned to the franchise for the new 1080p installment. However, the company said that the game is "in good hands," even if those hands aren't inside a Noby Noby Boy scarf.
Overheard@GDC09: Design is Takahashi's anti-drug
Although it's hard to believe that the ideas for Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy weren't birthed from some serious drug use, Keita Takahashi stated at GDC that he's completely straight-edge when it comes to partaking in the chemical vices of man. In the same session where he revealed Noby Noby Boy for iPhone, he also claimed, "I don't use drugs at all, I don't drink at all. Please don't worry about me."Hmmmmmmm .... okay.
GDC09: Noby Noby Boy stretching to iPhone
During Keita Takahashi's adorably quirky GDC panel, the Katamari Damacy creator revealed an upcoming iPhone version of the currently PSN-only Noby Noby Boy. It's good news for Noby fans, even those without iPhones: the iPhone game will interface with the PlayStation 3 version to help contribute to the ongoing growth of Girl into the entirety of the solar system -- a task that, according to Takahashi, would take 820 years at the current rate.As for price and release date: "In terms of iPhone, we just started doing this a week ago. Price-wise might be like free."
Katamari Damacy Tribute coming to PS3
Did Noby Noby Boy whet your appetite for more quirky Japanese magic? Keita Takahashi's original ball-rolling creation is returning in a brand new PS3 game, Katamari Damacy Tribute. According to Siliconera, the new title will be presented in full 1080p HD and will feature a "new visual presentation." The soundtrack features remixes from previous titles, which in conjunction with the title, suggests the Tribute may be a hodgepodge of previous games in the series. Stay tuned for more details.
Noby Noby Boy to have 'big update' two months after release
The oh-so-curious Noby Noby Boy releases this week on the PlayStation Store. For $5, even those that are hesitant may want to pick up this rather unique (and experimental) game from the creator of Katamari Damacy. Should the quirky game find an audience, Namco Bandai will allow Keita Takahashi to continue developing the world he's created. "I want many people to play the game. Please allow me to keep updating the game!"The first planned DLC should arrive approximately two months after the game's release. What it will entail, we're not exactly sure. To find out more about the (lack of) objectives in Noby Noby Boy, read Eurogamer's excellent interview.%Gallery-34693%
Three videos of Noby Noby Boy in action
We're very happy for all those who understand what's going on in the three Noby Noby Boy gameplay videos we've placed after the break. We'll just smile and nod politely as you write in the comments about the innovative mechanics and explain how the game is a satire of 17th century French society. In fairness, Keita Takahashi took a simple idea and made it work before with Katamari Damacy, so we'll just have to wait for more videos to make sense of what we're looking at. Those prepared for weird, check out the videos by hitting the big blue pill link below.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Noby Noby Boy coming to PSN 'early 2009'
Namco Bandai has sent us a delightfully colorful press release, announcing its intentions to release Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi's latest game, Noby Noby Boy, on the PlayStation Network sometime in "early 2009." As an eager and gluttonous worm ... thing, it's your objective in Noby Noby Boy to devour objects throughout the world and stretch your body to unprecedented lengths. It seems your growing gut can interact with other objects, so you'd best beware of becoming entangled in someone's house. Oh, the embarrassment!Though no exact price nor launch date has been given for the US, Japan is set to receive the stretchy smiler on January 29th for ¥800 ($8.78). Gallery: Noby Noby Boy
Noby Noby Boy release date, price & details revealed
The new game from the creator of Katamari Damacy, Keita Takahashi, is so close to release. In fact it's only a month and a half away from its Japanese PS Store debut on January 29. After a year-long silence for Noby Noby Boy, we're finally actually learning something substantial about the title other than it being obviously colorful and strange.The basic controls utilizes the PS3's dual analog sticks to bend and twist the worm-like character you control who's called BOY. The aim seems to revolve around making reports to another character named GIRL. Making better reports causes her to stretch longer allowing her to reach (unlock) new stages such as the Moon, Mars or even Jupiter. As noted by 1UP who went hands-on with the title, it's a rather bizarre explanation to listen to but that's what you can expect. "Noby Noby Boy has stages, characters, and objects to interact with, but it's up to the player to decide how to have fun with them, resulting in something closer to a literal "sandbox" than the kind of game that word usually describes ... it's less of a game, and more of a playground."Rather interesting, no? It might be even more so knowing that Japan might not be the only ones getting the title this January. 1UP also reports in their hands-on that Namco is planning on releasing the game simultaneously worldwide. Hopefully we'll also get that sweet-spot pricing of ¥800 ($8.78). One last thing, make sure to check out the new images we've been given in our gallery below.Source 1 - FamitsuSource 2 - 1UP%Gallery-34693%
Noby Noby Boy is a PSN title
Click for high-res Noby Noby Noby Noby Boy (notice the subtle spelling change?) was at the Tokyo Game Show last week via an all-new trailer (posted after the break); however, we still weren't given a clear idea on what the game was all about. In fact, the teaser trailer only made things seem slightly more confusing than previously. Exactly what is Katamari creator Keita Takahashi doing with this PS3 exclusive? We've been wondering that for an entire year now.While the trailer didn't give us much to work with, we still were able to get an NNB news bite to surface elsewhere. We refer to Sony's TGS press website listing Takahashi's new title as a downloadable PSN title. This may not come out as much of a surprise, judging from what little we've seen of NNB thus far -- which has been comprised mostly of simple designs. Takahashi's new IP sure does look interesting, but we're wondering why is it taking the game so long to actually reveal itself.%Gallery-34693%
Katamari creator's Nobi Nobi Boy coming to TGS 2008
Two things surprise us about Namco Bandai's announced Tokyo Game Show lineup: the complete dearth of Katamari titles and, coincidentally, the inclusion of Katamari creator Keita Takahashi's Nobi Nobi Boy for PlayStation 3, a title we haven't heard about since October 2007. According to the publisher (via Siliconera), the game (the title literally translates to "Stretch Stretch Boy") will be shown in video form only, a bit surprising considering the playable prototype that appeared last year at GameCity. Namco Bandai's lineup includes 29 titles, including Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm and the multiplatform Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2. Interestingly, the publisher is also showing off four PlayStation 2 titles, edging out Sony's support of PS2 at this TGS by a margin of 4 to 0.
New PS3 game by the developer of Katamari Damacy announced
At the PlayStation Premiere event in Tokyo today Namco Bandai announced a new game that is in development for the PS3. The game, titled Nobi Nobi Boy ("nobi" meaning "to stretch" in Japanese), is the brainchild of Keita Takahashi, creator of Katamari Damacy. While there is no information about the game, there are a few pieces of artwork which can be seen at IGN. This is great news, as we've only just got over losing Katamari, so knowing that there is another game in the same vein being developed will help us get through these dark days. We're intrigued to find out more about this game and expect more details to become available relatively soon.
More fodder for the Katamari rumor fire
While there's still no official, announcement-style confirmation that Beautiful Katamari is coming to the Wii, we're tentatively jumping up and down with glee around the Wii Fanboy offices. The rumors have been glomming together into a beautiful, spherical whole, we're almost convinced that the King of All Cosmos will be decrying our lack of rolling skill this winter. Several sites are reporting that references to the Wii title are popping up everywhere -- most recently on GameFly, showing a release date in November. Blogosphere detectives also stumbled across a listing for Namco Museum Remix on the Wii, a title that seems somewhat superfluous considering we have the Virtual Console ... unless something special is done to update the collection. That's definitely something to watch.On the Katamari front, however, and we must stress this "however" quite strongly -- this latest "confirmation" could simply be a matter of GameFly picking up other rumors. We've seen retail slip-ups and placeholders spawn rumors before, and they often come to naught. But with so much buzz around it, we hope to hear something one way or another from Namco on the possibility of a Wii Katamari title. Creator Keita Takahashi hasn't hesitated to speak up before ... but perhaps the smashing success of the Wii has changed a few minds? We'll keep you posted.
GDC: A game worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize
What kind of game concept would be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize? That's the question GameLab CEO Eric Zimmerman posed to the group of developers competing at the third-annual Game Design Challenge.The winning concept (as judged by audience response), Peace Bomb, developed by Deus Ex lead designer Harvey Smith, would be a multiplayer game for the DS. Players would join together and trade resources, eventually leading to real world flash mobs — a crowd that assembles suddenly in a public space, performs a notable act, and then quickly disperses. It's Smith's hope that the Peace Bomb flash mobs would erupt around socially constructive movements, encouraging players to transform an entertaining game into an effective social project.
Goodbye, Katamari?
If Namco's Japanese web site is to be believed, yesterday marked the end of the road for the King of All Cosmos and Katamari Damacy. As noted earlier this week, the official Katamari web site was counting down until its online closing on the 17th. Unfortunately, the site now tells us that "the team behind both the original game and its sequel, We Love Katamari, has dissolved, and that no sequels have been planned" (according to Gamasutra). Not all is lost, however, as Professor Katamari (a likely reference to series creator Keita Takahashi) "is currently working on a new game design" with a new team where you unfortunately do not roll things up nor "get bigger." Me and My Katamari for the PSP would appear to be the final version of the game to appear at this point, though we hold out a faint hope that a fantastically rendered "clump of souls" will eventually find its way to next-generation consoles. Until then, catch you later, Prince. [Via Slashdot] See also: Katamari Kountdown: new title on the way? Katamari PSP gold, could mark series' finale
