N-Plus
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Netflix explores building an online hub around its original content
"N-Plus is a future online space where you can learn more about the Netflix shows you love and anything related to them," the company says of the project.
N++ flips out on PS4 this winter [Update: teaser trailer]
Sony's Shahid Ahmad confirmed during the Gamescom keynote that N++, a new version of the ninja-based platformer, is coming to PS4 this winter.
N 2.0 is all the difficult running and jumping and dying you'll ever need
Metanet Software's N, which the developer describes as " that game you played in high school but forgot about through college," has seemingly reached its pinnacle. The wall-jumping, pixelated ninja platformer has been officially stamped version 2.0 and is now available entirely for free. N 2.0 adds a number of extra features, including 100 new levels, 100 "legacy" levels pulled from N and the various console iterations of N+, 100 user-made levels, level sharing, local 2 player co-op and new "FUN-lockable" content. You can play the game for free on Kongregate or download it directly from Metanet. And yes, in case you were wondering, N++ is still on the way
Metanet working on N++, 'the final iteration of N'
Metanet Software is returning to its platforming classic N, one last time. Studio president Mare Sheppard announced a game called N++ during a GDC panel, intended to be "the final iteration of N." The impetus behind this reexamination of side-view minimalist ninja jumping isn't entirely happy, as Sheppard said Metanet has had difficulty working with non-N games since N+. "We were clinging to the idea that N might be the only proof we had that we weren't completely idiotic or utter failures," she said. Despite worries that it would be a "step back" for Metanet, "at this point in our lives, this feels like the right thing to do... We can work on N again after all that emotional trauma." The good news out of this, which Sheppard's statements may not get across, is that Metanet really is quite good at making N games.
Bury the Shovelware: N+
Man, it must feel like I'm just trying to pick fights this week. Allow me to explain myself: I love n+. It's incredibly fun, elegant, and well-made. JC gave the game a 9.5 / 10, and I'd say that's a pretty fair score. So how on earth does a good game get picked for Bury the Shovelware? Throughout the duration of this column, we've learned a lot about shovelware. We've examined the sharing of blame between the publisher and developer, the curse of a license, the effects of critics' perception, and much more. Our top priority has been determining common attributes. One might ask what is the single, definitive trait common throughout all shovelware. The easy answer would be "it sucks." But to who? You? Me? Everyone? If you were to wander through the graveyard of the DS's library, even the loneliest tombstone will have a sympathizer or two. Particularly for younger gamers who might not know any better, cognizance is everything. Thus, we must focus on the objective. As the swipe for this series states, "shovelware refers to any game in which time and effort were eschewed in favor of turning a quick profit." Theoretically, any game which shows compromise in any area for the benefit of time and/or money might be considered shovelware. Even if the game is a critical success, one can still identify flaws in its design. Without labeling n+ as shovelware, let's examine how its existence relates to the bottom-feeders of the DS.
This Wednesday: Samurai Showdown II, Rocket Bowl, Shotest Shogi hit XBLA [update]
It's another triple-threat (erm, make that treat) this week for Xbox Live Arcade connoisseurs. Debuting after the Virtual Console version, the classic Neo-Geo fighter, Samurai Shodown II, arrives at 400 ($5) [800 ($10)] and should be worth all 32 quarters if it's a carbon copy of the arcade / ridiculously expensive home version.Joining the sword-clashing samurai are Rocket Bowl, D3Publisher's absurd – yet interesting – take on bowling, and Shotest (not Shortest) Shogi, a prim-and-proper multiplayer version of the classic Japanese table game from Microsoft. They're both hitting at 800 ($10) each.Also prepped to pop up in the Marketplace are 1200 new puzzles for Buku Sudoku (200 / $2.50) and the second set of expansion levels for N+ (200 / $2.50).[Update: "Starting on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Xbox Live members will have the opportunity to download Samurai Showdown II for 800. The game was previously listed incorrectly at 400, and we apologize for the error," reads an Xbox Press media alert.]%Gallery-31447%%Gallery-31450%%Gallery-31451%
N+ and Buku Sudoku DLC release this Wed.
Sneakily tucked in towards the end of this week's XBLA game release announcement is news that N+ and Buku Sudoku will both be receiving new (and paid) downloadable content this Wednesday.Metanet is releasing a 200 MS point N+ Levelpack that's packed with 150 single player levels, 50 multiplayer race levels and 25 multiplayer survival levels. While you're at it, feel free to pick up N+'s July DLC as well. If number puzzles are more your thing, then the new 200 MS point Buku Sudoku Puzzle Pack may just be the DLC you've been looking for. It adds 1200 additional Sudoku puzzles to the mix which the Gamerscore Blog crew kindly broke down to being "six new puzzles for one Microsoft Point!" If taken further, that breaks down to one puzzle for every 0.167 MS points or $0.0020875. See, math can be fun!
Portable N+ subtracts $10, adds delay
The inevitable "Is that a ninja in your pocket?" jokes will have to wait a little while longer – two weeks, to be exact – as Atari has announced a release date set-back for the DS and PSP versions of N+. The games, which both include features, puzzles, and even screen-scrolling schemes exclusive to their respective platforms, will sneak onto shelves August 26. They were originally slated for August 12.They say "good things come to those who wait," and in this case the "good thing" isn't just take-anywhere ninja magic ... it's $10 off the original $29.99 price point for both versions. Whether you're planning to stealthily snatch up the DS or PSP version of N+ (or both) they'll only set you back $19.99. Arigato, Atari!Source – DS FanboySource – PSP Fanboy
More N+ on the way to XBLA
A little ninja scampered across our screen to bring news that Metanet, developer of N+, has three level packs for the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game ready and waiting. According to a post on Metanet's blog, the downloadable content has already been submitted to Microsoft for certification, although it has yet to receive a release date.The post also reveals that one of the three packs will be free, and that, in total, the DLC-drop contains more than 750 new maps (roughly 300 of which are mutliplayer levels). The maps are reportedly "a lot better than the ones that came with N+" due to the fact that Metanet has "had more time to learn what works." We know what works: 750 more reasons to love the stylish and seductively simple ninja platformer.[Via Video Games Blogger]
Rez, Ikaruga hold record for best XBLA launches
In news post yesterday, Penny Arcade's Gabe revealed the top four best launches ever for Xbox Live Arcade, with the launch window being the first three days of availability. The list is as follows: Rez HD, 25k units Ikaruga, 22.5k units Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1, 16.5k units N+, 13k units Honestly, we're a bit surprised by the initial success of Rez and Ikaruga. Not that we didn't want them to succeed (they really are awesome games), but we didn't expect to see Xbox Live community rally so quickly around years-old re-releases. Now, if we could only see data for worst XBLA launches, or even total Rez playtime using multiple controllers as trance vibrators.%Gallery-12973%[Via X3F]
Handheld N+ dev SilverBirch acquires Lighthouse Interactive
Canadian dev SilverBirch, the force behind the DS and PSP versions of recent XBLA release, N+, has opened up its doors -- and wallet -- and acquired Netherlands-based publisher Lighthouse Interactive. SilverBirch calls the move a first step in the company's "strategy of building an integrated video game company." The developer purchased all of the publisher's outstanding shares for CA$4 million, or $3.97 million in real currency, which it paid out as cash, a vendor note, shares of stock, and an earn-out based on fiscal 2008 financial performance. It's an interesting marriage, given SilverBirch's experience with portable titles as well as the MMO Metin 2, while Lighthouse is best recognized for steering sim and strategy titles for the PC. Wake us when Sword of the Stars comes to the DS.
Cave shooters denied XBLA release by Microsoft
Recently Xbox Live Arcade has shown considerable potential as a home for shoot 'em ups, from the Forgotten Worlds-channeling Omega Five to monochrome shooter Ikaruga's looming release. However, to hear talk from 5pb, the devs charged with bringing Cave's nefarious DoDonPachi series as well as its latest shooter Ketsui to XBLA's digital frontier, the platform still has a few nagging hang ups keeping it from becoming a beacon for shmups.Echoing N+ developer Metanet's recent comments concerning what does and does not make it to the service, 5pb spoke out about similar frustrations in the latest issue of Famitsu, revealing that both of its ports of DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou Black Label X and Ketsui X had been summarily rejected for release over XBLA, with Microsoft claiming that it's "going to cut down on faithful arcade ports." Only faithful ones?We agree that there is certainly a glut of arcade nonsense on XBLA, but this is equivalent to throwing the baby out with the bathwater. 5pb and Cave are reportedly now working to bring both games to market through traditional retail channels in a defiant effort to show Microsoft "that their decision was wrong." Now all we need is a publisher with an eye for niche Japanese releases to pick the games up for release outside of Japan. Altus, are you listening?[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
N+ devs stand behind recent XBLA comments
It seems like dissing the glut of mediocrity on Xbox Live Arcade is totally in fashion for indie developers, so we weren't particularly surprised by N+ developer Metanet's recent comments regarding the service. Still, after some backlash from the community, the game's creators decided to address the controversy by discussing the service on their blog.It's not exactly an apology, as Metanet still cites a number of problems with XBLA. The developer does go on to state that the criticism is largely meant to be constructive, however, and that there are still plenty of positive aspects to Microsoft's digital distribution service. Prostrating or not, we hope Metanet and Microsoft kiss and make up soon, as we still hope to see Robotology on XBLA sometime in the future.[Via X3F]
N+ creators vent about Microsoft and XBLA
Both Raigan Burns and Mare Sheppard, the creative geniuses behind recent XBLA release N+, are furious about how Microsoft has handled the Xbox Live Arcade and how big publishers have taken over the service. So angry, they go as far as to claim that the majority of the XBLA titles are "all sh*t".Talking with Gamasutra, they mention that their biggest problem with the Arcade is the fact that Microsoft has too much control over what gets published and what doesn't. An issue that they claim has led to hundreds of craptacular games saturating the service. Burns goes on to say that "the real problem, I think, is that the same people who are deciding what retail games get greenlit are deciding what Live Arcade games get greenlit" and that it's "those decisions that are ruining Live Arcade."To an extent, we have to agree with our N+ creators. It does sometimes feel either crappy retro games or crappy classics make it to the XBLA while we know full well other Indy games have more potential. That said, smaller developers are still a driving force behind the XBLA, with games like Castle Crashers, Dishwasher: The Dead Samurai and Schizoid leading the way. Also, we can't completely blame Microsoft for favoring big publishers, because, as we all know, they are rolling out a community fueled XNA service this Fall.
N+ DLC on the way
As an XBLA game, N+ is in and of itself downloadable content, so it seems a bit strange to see that it's getting some of it's own. Announced today, Metanet will be releasing a total of three downloadable content packs for the game, each with around 200 new levels. If we're lucky, the first pack will feature easier levels and some co-op multiplayer and could hit the Marketplace within three weeks. Co-creator of the game, Mare Sheppard, said: "The other packs will probably contain harder levels, race and survival multiplayer, and some classic N levels from the original game -- we're just not sure how the content will be distributed among the packs yet," The team is shooting for a price of 200 points per pack, with at least one pack being free. And it seems we weren't the only one's who saw the news about the game's user-generated content, as Metanet is working on a title update that would enable level sharing among the community at large, instead of just friends.
N+ likely hits XBLA next week
Place this one in the we'll see category. According to a comment made on the MetaNet Software blog, developers Mare Sheppard and Raigan Burns (as poster M&R) hinted at a February 20 release of their upcoming XBLA version of N+. The, formerly free flash based game, promises the standard boost to sound and high resolution graphics found in other XBLA game as well as a multiplayer mode. On the official developer blog for Slick Entertainment, the team behind the XBLA version, N+ passed certification January 10 and has been awaiting a release. The title was nearly released on January 30 but was held back in favor of RezHD and Chessmaster.In the comments on February 13, M&R told readers, "I don't know.. maybe we can post something tomorrow [about the release], we're still waiting to hear back from Microsoft, because as mentioned it seems like every other game was announced a week early (which led us to believe that was the rule)." Earlier today, M&R posted, "We'll have a proper post soon about the launch party!." While its hardly a confirmation it looks like N+ will be gracing XBLA any time now, we hope.[Thanks, Russ]
