Oddworld-Inhabitants
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Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty launch trailer is making its escape
Just Add Water's remake of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee will launch tomorrow in North America, Wednesday in SCEE regions. Those awaiting their pre-ordered costumes can check out Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty's launch trailer ahead of the PSOne remake's Cross Buy-enabled arrival on PS4, PS3 and Vita for $30.
Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty will be $30, supports Cross-Buy on PlayStation
Developer Just Add Water nailed down release specifics for its upcoming remake of the PSOne-era puzzle-platformer Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, revealing its launch price and other key details. Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty will hit the PlayStation 4, PS3, and PS Vita later this year for $29.99 in North America, €24.99 in Europe, and £19.99 in the UK. The game will launch on the PlayStation Network as a Cross-Buy title, giving buyers access to all three versions with a single purchase. New 'n' Tasty also boasts Cross-Save functionality, allowing players to transfer their progress across all PlayStation-branded platforms. Ports for the Wii U, Xbox 360, and PC platforms are also in the works. A launch date was not announced, but Just Add Water will begin accepting pre-release purchases on June 9. [Image: Just Add Water]
Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty must sell 500K to fund new game in series, creator says
Just Add Water's upcoming remake of the PSone-era adventure game Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee needs to sell half a million units in order to fund the creation of a new Oddworld game, series creator Lorne Lanning told Eurogamer today. "If I'm doing a new Oddworld game, I'm not going to do it for $2 million. I might do it for five or six," Lanning explained. "People keep asking me, 'Why don't you Kickstart Oddworld? You could get at least $1 or $2 million.' And I'm like 'What would I do with a couple million on Kickstarter? On a new Oddworld title?' Not much. I could redo Exoddus for a couple million. I could do that. But a new title, which means new characters doing new things and controls that are great - that's where the real time and expenses come from." Lanning additionally revealed that Oddworld: Abe's Oddyssey - New 'n' Tasty will be priced at $30 when it hits digital platforms this spring. He notes that sales in excess of 250,000 will fund the creation of Just Add Water's next planned remake, Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus HD. 500,000 copies sold would earn enough revenue to revive the stalled Oddworld series project The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot, which Lanning estimates is "a $5 million title" at minimum. Lanning is optimistic about hitting the target, given that the self-published Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD has sold around 600,000 units across the PlayStation 3, PS Vita, and PC platforms. Sales for the remake eclipsed the original EA-published Xbox version of Stranger's Wrath, which only "sold about half a million units," according to Lanning. [Image: Just Add Water]
Binary Domain, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath free on PS Plus this week
When the PlayStation Store updates tomorrow, PS Plus subscribers will have access to a pair of new free downloads. Both Binary Domain on PS3 and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD on PS Vita will be up for grabs. Binary Domain is a third-person shooter, developed by Yakuza Team for Sega, set in a future populated by robots, humans and even robots that look like humans. The heart of Binary Domain is its Consequence system, which takes player actions into account and modifies squad AI behavior based on how they view your choices. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, the action-adventure where you hunt down bounties as the gruff-but-lovable Stranger, was developed by Oddworld Inhabitants and originally launched on the Xbox back in 2005. It is categorized by a unique system where players use in-game creatures as ammo. We've heard of pea shooters, but this one's got bee shooters. In addition to the free downloads, Worms 2: Armageddon will be on sale tomorrow when the weekly content update drops. It's regularly $15 but will be discounted down to $4.50.
Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty out spring 2014 on PS3, PS4, Vita
Just Add Water announced that its tastier, juicier remake of the classic puzzle-platformer Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee will hit the PlayStation 3, PS4, and PS Vita in the spring of next year. Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty updates the PSOne-era favorite with HD graphics and a 2.5D presentation, along with an extra helping of the morbid humor that defined the long-running series. At this year's E3, it was revealed that New 'n' Tasty will make its console debut on PlayStation platforms, capping off a string of indie partnership announcements from Sony. New 'n' Tasty ports are also in the works for Windows, Mac, Linux, and the Wii U eShop, though release dates for non-Sony platforms have not been announced.
'Two different possibilities' for brand new Oddworld content, says Lanning
Oddworld Inhabitants' return to the gaming scene has been limited so far to remastering and porting old content to new systems, content like Munch's Oddyssee and Stranger's Wrath. Although, as the name suggests, the upcoming New 'n' Tasty is more than a HD remake of Abe's Oddysee, featuring 3D visuals to provide 2.5D platformer gameplay. With all that in mind, I asked Oddworld co-founder and president Lorne Lanning about when totally brand new content will feature in the series' future. "[There are] two different possibilities," Lanning told me. "I don't want to say what they are, because we've talked way too many times and not actually delivered a title. Now, we've talked about Hand of Odd in the past, we've talked about Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot; we started production then we stopped it. Those were the two that got out there and people didn't really see anything new." Lanning, who also told me about his hopes for co-creating Oddworld content with fans, said he's considering crowdfunding options like Kickstarter, but he'd prefer not to have to do that. He noted crowdfunding allows developers to engage with their communities early and involve them in the development process. Oddworld Inhabitants asked fans to come up with a name for the now-christened New 'n' Tasty, a step Lanning says has provided names that could be used for future Oddworld games.
Oddworld co-founder Lanning wants to give players 'clay,' get back 'sculptures'
During last week's DICE conference in London, Oddworld co-founder and president Lorne Lanning touched on the idea on having players co-create content. In his talk, he gave the example of polling players for the name of 'Abe's Oddysee HD' - now Oddworld New 'n' Tasty. The quality of the responses he received inspired him to ask fans to provide art and even credits music for the game. Speaking to Lanning after, I learned how his hopes for involving the Oddworld audience in content creation extend far beyond polls and art. While he was quick to note how far away any of this was from being decided or announced, he told me how he admired what games like Minecraft are doing. That's not to say Lanning is formulating plans for Oddworld-craft, but the veteran designer is certainly interested in how to adapt the Oddworld property to make the audience more involved. "First I'm speaking pie in the sky, but I love the model of being able to provide clay to an audience, and they provide back sculptures," Lanning told me. "That would be a great thing. I think that's what Minecraft did and in that way they did it more probably uniquely than most." "When you put the power of creativity in someone's hands, just like great designers we all like working within limited constraints," he added. "The wider the page, the more open the possibilities, the harder for the writer to write, the same with designers. That being said, I think the future is all about that, is all about people having a co-creative participation. The question is, with what you're doing, how adaptable is your property to be able to facilitate that to the audience. We're exploring that in different ways, and right now I think we have more questions than we do answers."
Hit List Q&A: Lorne Lanning, co-founder of Oddworld Inhabitants
In the "Hit List" from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the video game industry's top talents describe their current gaming addictions, their most anticipated releases and more. This week: Lorne Lanning, co-founder of Oddworld Inhabitants. Lorne Lanning co-founded Oddworld Inhabitants with his partner, Sherry McKenna, in 1994. His Oddworld games, based in a universe where the dark side of globalization meets the consumer funny bone, have sold nearly 7 million units and garnered dozens of awards not only from the game industry, but also from the music, television, film, and animation industries - as well as illustration and design annuals. In 2008, Oddworld re-emerged as a self-published independent studio bringing its library of titles across various digitally distributed networks in over 20 languages. Their latest in-the-making game, a remake of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, was showcased by Sony as an iconic representative of their support of the increasingly relevant self-published indie development communities. At the D.I.C.E. Europe conference, Lorne will be speaking on "Properties of the Apocalypse" where he will take attendees on a journey across the macro intent of his studio's design ambitions toward creating "trojan horse media." He will also discuss how and why Oddworld's character creations and story lines aimed to target an increasingly disillusioned audience.
Oddworld's Lanning on Xbox One indies: 'It's as if we don't matter'
"At the business level, Microsoft isn't acknowledging people like us. It's as if we don't matter." In an interview with VG 24/7, Lorne Lanning, creator of the Oddworld series, spoke to the lack of independent developers on Xbox One - stark in contrast to Sony's courtship of indies on the PS4. "We're not on the radar. We're little guys. It doesn't seem like any of the little guys are on the radar." At the Microsoft E3 keynote this year, the focus was on blockbuster games; Minecraft: Xbox One Edition was showcased, as was Capy's Below, but that was about it. Lanning said he doesn't expect a bright future for indies on the Xbox platform. "Ten years from now, the biggest banners out there, the hundred million dollar games, are going to be what happened in the indie community," Lanning elaborated. "That's the only place we're seeing real innovation because that's the only place people can really afford to." Lanning said it's the "smart people" who see independent games on equal footing with AAA games in the future. "I don't see any indication of that foresight up in Redmond. They do not seem to be listening to their audience." To Microsoft's credit, it's not entirely oblivious. After introducing the Xbox One and its DRM policies, the console was widely criticized. Microsoft later backtracked and made a dramatic reversal on Xbox One's policies. Lanning added Microsoft has "a pretty good understanding of who makes really expensive great games, but beyond that there's not really any insight into how people get there from nothing."
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD becomes PlayStation Plus freebie
The high-definition remake of Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee, developed by the restoration experts at Just Add Water, is joining the free game library offered to PlayStation Plus subscribers. Munch's Oddysee, which also features gangly escapee Abe as a playable protagonist, is considered the second chapter in the ever-lingering "Oddworld Quintology." The 3D action/puzzle game nearly started on the PlayStation 2, but it debuted as an exclusive Xbox 1 (not "One") launch game in 2001 and later made its way to PC. Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD should be available for free after Tuesday's PlayStation Store update. The recent Star Trek game will be on sale right alongside it, which makes sense because ... A) it also endorses cooperation between species B) it also has two handsome protagonists C) it's also about an odyssey, but spelled correctly
Just Add Water working on a PlayStation 4 game
The folks that have been breathing life into Oddworld for the last couple of years have also been secretly breathing bytes into a PlayStation 4 development kit, as it turns out. Just Add Water (Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD, Abe's Oddysee New 'N' Tasty, etc) has revealed its ongoing development of a PS4 game over on its official blog.What said PlayStation 4 project actually is remains a mystery, though the developer did recently poll fans as to what game it should begin constructing next – we're optimistically hoping the two are somehow related. Which isn't to say that we're not also open to being surprised, though. The Oddworld series has been lacking a rhythm game for far too long.
Oddworld dev asks which game you want next
Normally you'd totally expect video game development studios to have the next 50 or so years of their precious, expensive time planned out to the letter, but not so at Just Add Water. Once the British company finishes up with Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee New 'n' Tasty, which is expected to launch sometime in Q4 of this year, its future is completely open.Oddworld Inhabitants has created a public poll to see which game fans would most like Just Add Water devote itself to next. The available choices include (but are not limited to) Oddworld: The Hand of Odd, SligStorm, The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath 2, an unnamed, completely new Oddworld property and even Oddworld: Squeek's Oddysee, which would be the first proper continuation of the pentalogy since Munch's Oddysee launched over a decade ago.Oddworld Inhabitants doesn't guarantee that the fans' ultimate choice will absolutely, positively be Just Add Water's selected project, but it's swell of them to ask.
Deja Review: Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD
This is a Deja Review: A quick, unscored look at the new features and relative agelessness of a remade, revived or re-released game. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath has seen two re-releases since its original 2005 Xbox debut. Developer Just Add Water took on the mantle of Oddworld Inhabitant's most celebrated title, bringing out a base-level update for PC in 2010 and a fully touched up HD version on PS3 (and, again, PC) in 2011. Now Stranger's Wrath HD has been converted to PlayStation Vita and released via PSN, again with a few changes and additions to the formula – this time to suit the portable, touch-enabled console it's being housed on. Stranger's Wrath itself was one of the most-loved of Lorne Lanning and co's creations, though the sales figures behind the original left the game residing firmly in 'cult classic' status. It told the story of the eponymous Stranger – a nameless enigma making his way around an old west-styled world, trying to save enough 'moolah' to buy a life-saving operation – and with a twist that nearly made the forums of 2005 explode. In other words, perfect fodder for an inexpensive re-release and hopefully enough to guarantee greater sales thanks to the power of seven years' word-of-mouth. %Gallery-157582%
PSA: Stranger's Wrath HD now available on Vita
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, you'll remember, is one of the weirdest of a series of weird games: It's a first-person shooter, essentially, based in Oddworld. The new PS Vita version of the game is now available for download through PSN, for $15. An HD version of the quirky shooter (which originally came out on the Xbox and later PC) was made for the PS3 last year.The Vita version of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath features the enhanced graphics of the Just Add Water remake, and makes use of the Vita's front and back touchscreens for "extra controls."If you haven't had a chance to play one of Oddworld's best, it's time to log into PSN and check it out.
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD hops onto PSN this month
Several months after its original launch window has passed and nearly two years after it was first announced, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD will finally bring its adorable, charming weirdness to the PlayStation Network before the new year rings in.Specifically, Just Add Water's remake of the OG Xbox launch title will hit European PSN on December 19 for €8.99/£7.99, with a $9.99 North American launch following sometime in "late December," according to the official website. Considering that there's only one other Tuesday in "late December," which is Christmas Day, we're pretty sure that's what they're talking about. %Gallery-173459%
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD now on PC via Steam, discounted along with Oddboxx collection
The HD remake of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath is now available on Steam, replacing the decidedly un-HD version that has existed on Valve's service since 2010. Normally available for $9.99, the game has been discounted by 30 percent for the next 30 hours or so. Owners of the original standard-definition version will be able to download the new hotness for free "soon," so says Oddworth Inhabitants. In addition to the obvious boon of higher-resolution textures and character models built from more polygons, the HD release also includes 12 new Steamworks achievements that weren't in the original port, as well as new unlockable concept art and movie extras, additional difficulty levels, more Easter eggs and improved PC controls.Coincidentally, the Oddboxx collection has also been marked down by 30 percent for the next 30 hours, meaning that you can snag Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, Oddworld: Abe's Exodus, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD for $10.49.
Explore the first screen of the Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee remake
That screenshot up there is our very first look at the forthcoming remake of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, or whatever they actually end up calling it. The game isn't even in the pre-alpha stages of development (according to Oddworld Inhabitant's Facebook page) but gazing at the full-sized version of this picture already has our hearts rhythmically chanting and possessing our wallets.Still no information on when the Oddworld update is expecting to be released, though we figure "not for a while" is a safe assumption on account the whole pre-pre-alpha thing. Oddworld Inhabitants and developer Just Add Water plan on debuting the game publicly during the 2012 Eurogamer Expo this September.
Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee being rebuilt from scratch, HD remake coming next summer [update]
An HD remake of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee has been in development at Just Add Water since last year. Now Oddworld Inhabitants' Facebook page has offered an update: it's not just a remake. ... Well, okay, it's still technically a remake, but with enough effort behind it to also qualify as a "reboot." Are you still with us?Rather than updating the original Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee 2D artwork, Just Add Water will be using the original PSOne game "as a blueprint" for an HD remake built from scratch. We'll get our first taste of the game later this year, ahead of its planned launch in the summer of 2013.Update: It looks like studio coordinator Wil Bunce is doubtful the remake will launch Summer 2013. In a forum post, he says that there's "not one person on the development team who thinks that's going to happen."
Just Add Water talking to publishers about Stranger's Wrath for XBLA
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD has been available on PSN since last December, but its 2.1 gigabyte file size -- just .1 gigs over Microsoft's XBLA file size limit -- has prevented it from seeing the insides of the Xbox Live Marketplace. Though Just Add Water has been in talks with Microsoft to publish the game itself, it sounds like the developer will be making some alternative accommodations."We've basically run everything dry in terms of going some kind of first-party route with Microsoft, be it them publishing it or be it us publishing it ourselves," said Just Add Water CEO Stewart Gilray during an interview with VG247. "So we're now having to go down the third-party route."The developer is in talks with "two or three" publishers and hopes to have more information to announce by Easter, although Gilray did not give specifics regarding which publishers may be interested in helping the cause. It's unclear how working through a third-party publisher will aid in resolving (or circumnavigating) the game's size issue, but we're glad to see that Just Add Water is still trying.
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD coming Q2, see Munch's new model
Just Add Water, the developer responsible for bringing Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath back to life in high definition, will be releasing its HD remake of Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee by the end of Q2, according to the dev's Twitter account. As our more crotchety readers will surely remember, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee was a launch title for the original Xbox, as well as the second chapter in the tragically unfinished Oddworld pentalogy. At the moment, all we have is the announcement, a logo and a small image of Munch's updated character model (which you can see after the break), but rest assured that we'll be on this like Sligs on a Mudokon.
