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Peggle DS confirmed for real
Remember when PopCap very carefully denied the rumors about a DS version of Peggle? That denial was worded in such a way that it ensured that PopCap wouldn't be too embarrassed when they decided to tell people that they really were planning to release the game that they'd just said they weren't planning. PopCap officially announced Peggle for the DS, coming this winter for $30, at the Casual Connect conference yesterday. It will have all of the original Peggle levels as well as new ones.The coolest part? Though their influence is nowhere to be found in the single released screenshot, the development of Peggle has been outsourced to Q? Entertainment, best known for Lumines, Meteos, and being awesome.Vice president Greg Canessa also announced that two other PopCap games, Amazing Adventures: The Forgotten Ruins and Mystery P.I.: Portrait of a Thief, otherwise known as Not Peggle vol. 1 and 2, would be released in the fall.
PopCap bringing Peggle to DS this winter
We allowed ourselves to get our hopes up for a DS version of the terrifyingly addictive Peggle earlier this year, only to have them crash down around us. Now though, it seems we can sweep up the pieces of our hopes, assemble them once again and send them flying on the back of a magical unicorn into a rainbow-filled sky: PopCap has confirmed a DS version of the game will arrive this winter. If you've already played the game, you know it's a little like pachinko on crack or steroids or whatever drug means really fun and addictive. If you haven't played the game, then we'd urge you to think very carefully before starting, at least if you have any hopes of carrying on a normal life. Oh, and PopCap will also be bringing two seek-n-solve games, Amazing Adventures and Mystery PI to the system, not that you'll have time for them, what with all the Peggle.
LOL makes a lot more sense now
This Gamasutra interview with Q? Entertainment's Reo Yonaga is interesting not just for the talk about the history of Tetsuya Mizuguchi's company (and the Sega UGA studio that preceded it), but also for little-known insights about Japanese gaming culture. For example, did you know that there were expansive, gaming bulletin boards populated entirely by women and children? "Because kids are so blunt, for WiFi games that involve rescue missions - you know what I'm talking about - crazy verbal battles break out. "The most interesting bit of the interview has absolutely nothing to do with Q. Yonaga describes the creation of Route-24's Archime-DS, known here as LOL. "I don't know how many months it took them, but the staff created that game by getting together every Saturday like you would for any extracurricular activity."LOL seems a bit less ridiculous as a side project that just ended up getting published than as a product created for a market. A multiplayer-only game with no premade content almost seems anti-commercial. But, as a "product of indie activity initiated by existing industry members," it seems very cool.%Gallery-18526%
Tetsuya Mizuguchi doesn't rule out Wii for next project
But, he doesn't exactly say his next project will be on Nintendo's console, either. Such is the pain we're all forced to endure for the moment. Miziguchi's next game will be themed around music, however, providing his old-school fans of his Rez and Space Channel 5 games with some hope that he could be making a similar product (although he does shoot down the idea of remaking Space Channel 5). When grilled about his latest project, Miziguchi did say that he is "keeping an eye on several platforms - not just game consoles." He meant this to say that he was also looking at the mobile space, but that's a good thing. The more he looks at his options, the more viable solution the Wii will become in his mind. Because, let's face it, you can't be alive today without the Wii interacting in your life somehow, whether it be through television commercials, subway ads or other promotions.
Harmonix localizes Rock Band for Japan
We know that many of you aren't happy with Harmonix lately, but the company is making an honest effort to appeal to gamers in Japan. In fact, for the Japanese version of Rock Band, Harmonix is teaming up with Q Entertainment, who's responsible for games like Lumines, Meteos, and Rez HD.Hoping that Q Entertainment will add some eastern appeal to the game, Harmonix is aiming to completely localize it for Japanese audiences. Aside from the things that Q will bring to the table, this also means that the title will feature Japanese music and bands. Perhaps this will help Rock Band succeed in Japan where Guitar Hero couldn't. Now, if only Harmonix showed the same dedication to English-speaking Wii owners, we might not have such an uprising on our hands. %Gallery-19119%
Rock Band heads to Japan with help from Q Entertainment
Harmonix and MTV are bringing Rock Band to Japan with some help from Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Q Entertainment (Lumines). According to the press release, "The two studios will work together to develop the title, marking the first US-originated rock music game to be heavily localized for the Japanese market." No clue on what that heavy localization will entail.It has been little over a week since a Harmonix rep was asked about the possibility of seeing Japanese content in Rock Band. At the time, the rep said an official announcement on future DLC plans would arrive in "a little over a week." So, the question remains: How does one program instrument tracks for a Genki Rockets song?
PopCap denies Peggle DS 'rumor'
Not so fast peg-pounding pellet paramours! PopCap has promptly pulled the plug on PocketGamer's proof of Peggle for DS. Pop! Poof! Phizzle ... ya dig? PopCap VP of Video Game Platforms Greg Canessa issued a brief statement via press release today, claiming the ol' rumor mill has kicked into "overdrive." "We have ambitious plans for many of our titles including Peggle, and are eager to bring its peg-popping pleasures to as many appropriate platforms and devices as possible," said Canessa, "But Nintendo has not approved this product, we have not signed a developer to port Peggle to DS, and we have not green lighted this project."
Rez HD and Chessmaster Live land on XBLA
If you've been waiting impatiently ever since Rez HD was first announced for Xbox Live Arcade, then today is your lucky day because it's finally here. If, on the other hand, you haven't been waiting for the game with bated breath, then we'd say it's still probably your lucky day because Rez just so happens to be a good game. We suggest you crank up the synesthetic, vibratory goodness as soon as possible. If, however, all that sounds like too much stimulation, perhaps you'd rather play a leisurely game of chess. It's still your lucky day then because Chessmaster Live is also available today. Both games can be yours if the price is right. The right price, incidentally, is 800 MS Points each.%Gallery-13037%%Gallery-14900%
Joystiq plays Rez HD, releases next week
If, like us, you missed out on Rez the first time -- it was originally a PS2 and Dreamcast title -- then you may want to check out Joystiq's recent hands-on session with Rez HD (complete with extra vibrating controllers). For those that are unaware of the trappings of Rez, it is one of several musically inspired games from Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment. 360 owners would know their work from the Xbox Live Arcade game Lumines Live. Imagine the musical qualities that Lumines applied to the puzzle genre and then imagine the same properties being applied to an on-rails shooter and you'll have some idea of what Rez HD has in store for XBLA. If that sounds like fun to you, head over to Joystiq to learn more.Oh, and we should probably mention that the game is releasing on XBLA next week (January 30 to be precise).%Gallery-13037%
Joystiq hands-on: Rez HD
As vector-like throwing-star enemies corkscrewed towards me, I defended myself with a gun that made electronic clapping sounds. I fired the gun. Clap. I fired two quick shots. Clap Clap. My applause aligned with the electronic beats spilling from the speakers. It was Korg-like synth-aesthesia, and almost immediately, I cared more about clapping in-time to the music than shooting back. Rez HD surrounded me in a coordinated, sensory bombardment. The controller in my hand shook and bobbed with the beats while controllers under my feet and on my back vibrated a counter-tempo pattern. 5.1 surround-sound flew from all directions, and the neon-sharp HD game-world pulled me into its reality. In my brief time with Rez HD, I decided that it wasn't a game as much as an experience. There's a game inside somewhere, but the title feels like a journey, rewarding meandering through levels instead of racing to the end. And even though it's a linear shooter, Rez HD hides a lot of exploration; I look forward to moving slowly through the game after its January 30 release. %Gallery-12973%
Rumor again: Rez hits XBLA next week
When rumors begin to pile up, you begin to ask yourself whether it's because the rumor is true or because you want it to be true. Keeping that in mind, we present you with a modified rumor, the original version of which we ran earlier this week. The rumor goes a little something ... a-like-a this: Rez HD could be hitting Xbox Live Arcade next week. Yes, only two days ago we were reporting that Rez could have been out today, but this time ... we're serious. A Q Entertainment spokesperson recently told Eurogamer that the game is "being prepped" and only awaits the proverbial green light from Microsoft, to which the spokesperson added, "Maybe next week?" Could it be true? Yes. Do we want it to be true? Affirmative. Thus, a rumor it remains.%Gallery-13037%
Register and ye shall REZ-eive (a free game)
Not content with merely updating their hypnotic trip-out sim REZ with fancy high-definition graphics and stimulating surround sound for its Xbox Live Arcade debut, the folks at Q Entertainment have decided to gift upon the world 50 free copies of the Mizuguchi masterpiece (no, not that one). To potentially grab one of 50 prepaid Xbox Live Marketplace codes, you need only visit the official REZ HD website and enter your details into the registration page.Do that between now and Sunday, January 27th, and you might just REZ-eive a free copy of the game within 72 hours of the closing date. Don't fret if you lose out though -- with the game launching before the end of the month, we're all winners here.%Gallery-12973%
Rez HD arriving this month for 800 MSP
Good news for synaesthetes and fans of all things awesome: a friendly press release from Q Entertainment informs us that Testuya Mizuguchi's Rez HD will be landing on Xbox Live Arcade in "only a few weeks," for the very reasonable price of 800 Microsoft Points. Along with the highly-anticipated "trance vibration" support, the enhanced port of the Dreamcast/PS2 classic will include a high-definition upgrade to the visuals, and feature 5.1 surround sound. The game will also introduce new audio and visual effects, a new Replay Theater for re-watching play data, and the usual suite of XBLA leaderboards and achievements. Check out the gallery below for some gorgeous new shots of Rez in all its trippy, HD glory. %Gallery-12973%
Rez HD: extra controllers double as trance vibrators (seriously)
That the very first comment on our very first Rez HD post asked if the updated shooter contained support for the infamous trance vibrator peripheral should come as no surprise. Though Mizuguchi says the device wasn't meant to be sexual, ever since that 2002 game girl advance post buzzed its way onto the internets, the vibrating peripheral has become a thing of gaming lore.While they're not releasing a new peripheral for the XBLA release and they're not enabling support for the USB original, we did learn of another option at a Microsoft meeting at CES this morning: you can enable trance vibrator support through an additional Xbox 360 controller (or three – you can use all four slots). How long before someone switches the guts from a 360 controller and a trance vibrator? Our guess: not long.%Gallery-12973%
Reminder: Rez HD is a trip
If you were one of the many shmucks who didn't pick up Rez when it came out on the Dreamcast and PS2, you can redeem yourself in our eyes when a visually souped-up version of the game drops on the Xbox Live Arcade sometime in the (hopefully) near future. Yes, it might be sans one unintentionally stimulating peripheral this time around, but it still feels like playing an absinthe-fueled round of Panzer Dragoon in the middle of a warehouse rave. Hopefully the surfacing of the above gameplay footage from the uncleverly titled Rez HD is a sign that we'll find what we really want under our tree this holiday season -- a good case of synesthesia.
Lumines now available on PC
PC users who haven't yet experienced Tetsuya Mizuguchi's rhythm-based puzzle game can finally enjoy the genre-straddling title from the comfort of their own computers. Wild Tangent and Q Entertainment have teamed up to offer a PC version of Lumines, as part of Wild Tangent's library of downloadable game offerings.The PC version of Lumines -- which appears to be based on the PSP title Lumines II -- features multiple modes of play, a skin editing mode, and online score ranking. Players can buy the full game for $19.99 USD, pay on a per-play basis using Wild Tangent's subscription model, or play a free ad-supported version of the game.
Lumines Live gets a price drop, now 800 points
It only took a year, and now Lumines Live is ready to join the 800 point club. Our readers may recall that the game debuted last year for the always controversial price of 1200 MS Points. This created no end of anger among many XBLA fans. In addition to the high price, players were expected to pay extra for features like playing against the computer. Still, Lumines stands as one of the best puzzlers on Live and now it can be had for the much more respectable price of 800 MS Points. If you haven't sampled the musical genius of Lumines yet, you really should give it a shot.[Via nukoda]
This Wednesday: E4, Speedball II, and discounted Lumines
Joining the already announced Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe this Wednesday on Xbox Live Arcade is the announced-in-March XBLA rendition of Q Entertainment's Every Extend Extra dubbed, helpfully, Every Extend Extra Extreme. Both titles will be available for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). Also joining the two full games is some news on older Xbox Live Arcade titles. First, Band of Bugs has a new expansion pack out titled "Ninja Sticks of Fury" which, we presume, will be the same 250 points ($3.12) as their previous expansions. And finally, Lumines Live! will get two "skins" free for all XBL Gold members through November 14th. Don't like free? They've also got a "Rockin' Holiday Pack" available for 400 MS Points. If you're thinking, "Hey, that's great Joystiq but I was turned off by the game's initial pricing" we're pleased to relay the news that, as of Wednesday morning at 9am GMT, Lumines Live! will be permanently discounted to 800 MS Points. How about now? %Gallery-8659%
E4 and Speedball 2 dash onto XBLA this week
This week's twofer Xbox Live Arcade offerings were just announced this morning and both game should leave you with a sense of fulfillment and joy. First up is a 800 Microsoft point Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe which includes 32 teams, 2D or 3D gameplay, Xbox Live fun and more Speedball goodness than you can shake a stick at. The other half of this week's twofer is Q Entertainment's Every Extend Extra Extreme which will also be available for 800 Microsoft points and features numerous game modes, lots of enemies and allows the use of gamers' custom music tracks. This Wednesday, October 17th the Arcade world has no choice but to get extra extreme to the brutal deluxe max, yo!
Joystiq plays Every Extend Extra Extreme
Joystiq managed to get some hands-on time with Every Extend Extra Extreme from Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Q? Entertainment. Described as something of an inverse take on the shooter genre (your goal is to blow up your own ship), Joystiq notes that E4 is a marked improvement over the original PSP iteration. First and foremost, the musical nature of the game (typical of Q? Entertainment titles) is now actually integrated with the gameplay. In other words, the actions you take in the game will affect the music. The game also incorporates a new shield system that encourages faster-paced gameplay. There is a new Endless mode which, appropriately enough, goes on forever so long as players continue to acquire Extend power-ups. Boss encounters have been removed from the game, which Joystiq finds puzzling, but overall the impression is definitely a good one. Head over to Joystiq for their full impressions.
