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Limbo, Trials HD and Splosion Man coming to retail in XBLA triple pack [Update: It's coming on April 19!]
Three of Xbox Live Arcade's most lauded games are getting bundled together in one retail package, it seems. Twisted Pixel CEO and co-founder, Michael Wilford, revealed this Amazon listing on Twitter today, commenting that a bundle of Limbo, Trials HD and Splosion Man was initially only headed to Japan and now will be available in North America, as well. The Amazon listing suggests a $29.99 price point, which seems a little low -- Limbo is normally $15, while the other two are $10 -- so we've followed up with Microsoft for confirmation and an expected launch date. We'll let you know what we find out. Update: A Microsoft representative has confirmed with Joystiq that the $29.99 price is accurate and that the bundle will be available for purchase on April 19 either through online retailers or on store shelves here in the US. It'll also come with a 48-hour Xbox Live Gold trial and 160 MS Points.
MotoHeroz preview: Don't let the 'z' turn you away
RedLynx's WiiWare racer MotoHeroz might as well be two separate games. In single player, it's a Trials-esque stunt racer with a cartoon style and bizarre, looping, interactive levels. And in multiplayer, it's Smash Bros. with trucks. Both modes use the same physics-based movement -- in fact, it's the physics that make multiplayer so wild.%Gallery-118021%
RedLynx's MotoHeroz has music from Alan Wake composer, hear it in this trailer
Ever since Trials HD for XBLA took out a multi-year lease in our hearts, RedLynx has held a bit of a trump card with us. The developer's newest game, MotoHeroz, looks to extend that lease, bringing four-wheelers to the world of 2D racing. Gameplay-wise, MotoHeroz is a mix of Joe Danger's platforming gameplay and Motocross Maniacs' nitro-boosted, loop-based 2D -- as stated in the game's initial announcement, new online maps will be added daily to the WiiWare title. In addition to today's first gameplay trailer, RedLynx announced that Alan Wake music composer Petri Alanko is handling compositions for MotoHeroz. The first track from Alanko can be heard in the trailer we've dropped after the break, and if you find yourself dancing along, a free download is available right here.
RedLynx dates Trials HD 'Big Thrills' DLC for Dec. 1, gives away free Trials Legends PC bundle
Come December 1, RedLynx will unleash its latest Trials HD DLC, the "Big Thrills" pack, for 400 MS Points ($5). You'll find a trailer highlighting some of the ten user-created tracks selected for the DLC right after the break. Before Trials HD rocked Xbox Live Arcade, RedLynx was busy rocking the infotron with a series of smaller, free Java-based and paid games called Trials. Today, the Finland-based studio also announced it's making those classic Trials games from the early aughts available to all, free of charge, in one complete PC bundle. All you have to do is hit up RedLynx's Facebook page, give it a "like," then the Trials Legends download link will be revealed to you -- or, if you're too lazy to do all of that, just click this link. Trials Legends includes 33 different tracks ripped from the classic Trials games, six different rides to whip around in, 15 different attainable ranks, a track creator tool, and a brief overview of the history of the series. RedLynx also set up a dedicated forum space for Trials Legends, in case you want to share tracks with others or simply gab about how you narrowly missed that giant shark with the odd mohawk on level 26. Yeah, he got us a few times too.
Trials HD jumps (and flips) past 1 million sales
RedLynx is going to have to come up with a new name for the Trials franchise, because the trial done been passed. The company announced today that Trials HD has officially stunt jumped past the 1 million mark in sales, which, as RedLynx CEO Tera Virtala notes, is quite an accomplishment for "a company of about thirty-five people." Trials debuted on XBLA just over a year ago. The next Trials DLC pack, Big Thrills, is slated to be released later this year and will feature forty new maps including ten user-submitted creations.
Trials HD dev announces MotoHeroz for WiiWare
RedLynx, creator of the stunt racing game Trials HD, is returning to the "physics-based side-scrolling stunt racer" well for its next project, but something tells us people won't mind. MotoHeroz for WiiWare expands the gameplay into a kind of adventure, in a "rich, challenging world." Players will be able to race in a single-player story mode, and compete in multiplayer races in a four-player "party mode." In addition, MotoHeroz will feature unique daily races, with a new online track each day. You can get a look at MotoHeroz in the October issue of Nintendo Power. RedLynx expects to "complete development at the end of this year or in early 2011."%Gallery-100926%
Trials HD DLC to deliver 'Big Thrills' later this year
RedLynx has announced a second expansion pack for Trials HD, currently speeding toward a Q4 release. You'll find forty new professional stunt tracks in the "Big Thrills" pack, as well as ten user-created levels. Those lucky enough to have their level featured will be rewarded with "cash or prizes, as well as in-game credit." Microsoft and RedLynx have set up a page with info on the user-created portion of the DLC. Those who submit the top three tracks will earn $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000, respectively. You see how lucrative games can be, mom? Do you see now? We spoke with the folks at RedLynx about the DLC, but they could not offer us a definitive launch date or price yet. Instead, we learned that Big Thrills will include "three new achievements with 50 more gamer points available, bringing Trials HD and its two DLCs to a total of 300."
Guess when Trials HD will hit a million and win loot
Like a hellbent motorcyclist, Trials HD continues to roar along at terrifying speeds. But rather than rushing towards an untimely death at the hands of a particularly inflexible brick wall, RedLynx's XBLA hit is fast approaching the one million downloads mark. Sure, that kind of breaks the metaphor, but we've come this far, right? Let's forge on together. The developer plans on hitting the milestone soon, but is hoping its community can help it figure out exactly when with a new contest. Whichever fan manages to guess closest to the exact date and time will win "some super loot" from RedLynx, including a giant Trials flag and an autographed motorcycle helmet. You can make your guess at the official contest page, but be warned: We've already called dibs on "Pretty soon."
Trials HD on sale for $10 today on XBLM
So you've managed to block out the siren song of Trials HD this long, have you? You're stronger than us -- but it might be time to give in. The game has been discounted today by 33 percent to 800 ($10) for a one-day sale. Can you really say "no, thank you" to that? It was voted 2009's best XBLA game, after all (and won the Best Nordic Game award at the 2010 conference just last night). Look at it this way: Your Microsoft Points could very well go to helping out the workers behind the scenes. That's right -- we're talking about the guys who sneak into the factory at night and set up these wicked elaborate stunt tracks. They have an extremely dangerous job, you know. Xbox.com: Add Trials HD to your Xbox 360 download queue ($10)
Trials HD trailer displays disasters and triumphs of player-created content
Rather than play that silly old full-motion video arcade game with motorbikes -- you know, that one that only exists in the trailer above? -- the latest video from developer RedLynx encourages you to pick up Trials HD instead and hop right in to the level creation tools. Beyond the initially jarring brutal crashes and eviscerations, the latter half of the clip displays the subtle elegance at players' disposal should they master the physics-based controls to the pixel-perfect precision the game asks of its users (we're especially impressed by the double front flip). And though we haven't seen any DLC for Trials HD since the last one in late December, it's good to see the developer supporting its game so long after release. But let's be honest here -- we'd could always use some more DLC. %Gallery-64987%
RedLynx digital strategy pays off, 1.5 million games sold in '09
While the big fellas struggle to figure out how to make digitally distributed content profitable, smaller dev houses like RedLynx are handily succeeding. The Trials HD developer claims to have moved 1.5 million digital units worldwide (of all of its games) in 2009, though, as RedLynx itself points out, "most RedLynx games have also free promotional web versions available, bringing the company's key titles to an even wider audience." Aside from putting out the Summer of Arcade XBLA release Trials HD last year, the Finnish company also made Monster Trucks Nitro on PC and a couple of iPhone games, assuredly assisting that 1.5 million statistic. CEO Tero Virtala looks forward to the coming year, saying things look "even better," and adding that RedLynx is "bringing 8-10 new games to market." We really, really hope the company brings more copies than that if it wants to move past 2009's sales. Come on, guys -- simple math!
New trailer and details released for Trials HD DLC
Earlier this week, we got a brief sampler of the explosive additions coming to Trials HD in the "BIG Pack" DLC ... pack. Today, a RedLynx press release has shared a few specifics with us regarding the downloadable content's ... contents. These specifics include how to unlock the pack's three new achievements, a list of some of the new physics objects (car, rocket turbine, gravity field, wind and motor, to name a few), and some of the additions that will come in the simultaneously released title update. You can find these details posted after the jump. RedLynx also sent along a new trailer, which we've posted above. You're going to feel awfully silly when you realize that you've read all this when you could have been watching a dude ride a motorbike in a space station. The BIG Pack is due out next Wednesday, December 23. According to the presser, it will cost 400 -- which is half the price we heard earlier this week. Typo? Or Christmas miracle? We've contacted RedLynx to find out.
Trials HD DLC detailed, new trailer
After teasing the upcoming "Big Pack" DLC for Trials HD, developer RedLynx has revealed some actual details. According to a new trailer hosted by Eurogamer, the DLC will contain 35 new maps, 50 new objects for the level editor and 5 new tournaments. The DLC will also pack three more Achievements, which should please all the trick jumping masters out there. Head over to Eurogamer for the trailer, and keep an eye out for the Big Pack, which hits XBLM on December 24 for 800 ($10).
RedLynx teases Trials HD DLC 'BIG Pack'
If dynamite comes in small packages, it's fair to assume that lots of dynamite comes in BIG packages. Enter: a new teaser video for the "BIG Pack," an upcoming downloadable add-on to Xbox Live Arcade's bone-breaking bike-'em-up, Trials HD. It's an explosive montage of two-wheeler stunts that fly by too quickly for the brain to process, so be sure to make use of that pause button on the video embedded after the break. Other things your brain may have trouble processing: a mischievous squirrel. He may seem an adorable little fellow, but if he's anything like the levels in Trials HD, he likely intends to murder us so often that we start to enjoy it. Just one more time! [Thanks, billymagnum]
Trials developer put its own game on torrent sites for marketing
We all know the timeless adage: "If you can't beat them, then think of cleverer ways to entice them, then break down their spirits, showing them the error of their ways, which will ultimately lead to you beating them." Developer RedLynx employed this strategy when trying to make a foothold in the piracy-riddled PC gaming market when it released its motorbike platformer, Trials, last year. However, the method of this "release" were unconventional, to say the least: The studio actually beat PC pirates to the punch, and uploaded its own game to a number of popular torrent sites. The version the developer distributed was missing one key feature, however: Leaderboard support. According to RedLynx CEO Tero Virtala, who spoke on the bizarre distribution model at the Develop Liverpool conference, "leaderboards are the soul of the game." He hoped that pirates would fall in love with the leaderboard-less version of the game, then purchase the full version so they could compete with their law-abiding friends. Virtala admitted that he has no way of knowing how successful that strategy was, but we applaud the studio's unbridled chutzpah nonetheless.
One helluva stunt: Trials HD sells 300K on XBLA
RedLynx has announced (via Eurogamer) that Trials HD has sold in excess of 300,000 copies on Xbox Live Arcade. While that would be an impressive number for any XBLA game, the achievement is made even more so given that the game has only been on sale for a month. Previously, Microsoft touted the game as breaking the record for first-week sales of a single-player game. The feat was later squashed by Shadow Complex, but Trials HD remains one of the top five best-selling XBLA games. We can only assume that the next record attempt will be for the most (and most frustrating) single-player DLC downloads.
XBLA Summer of Arcade sales grow 200%
Microsoft had a good summer, according to the company's summary of Xbox Live events. 1 vs. 100 reached nearly 3 million gamers during its beta season by Microsoft's estimates, and the Summer of Arcade Xbox Live Arcade promotion enjoyed a reported 200 percent growth in revenue over last year's sales. While Microsoft has already relished in Metroidvania success, a press release claims that Trials HD and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 also performed well in first-week sales; and both titles join Shadow Complex in the top five bestselling week-one XBLA games of all time. Sales were no doubt boosted by a cloudy economy that kept folks indoors and looking for inexpensive entertainment. Microsoft capitalized, too, by raising the average price of its Summer of Arcade titles.During last year's promotion, three of the five Summer of Arcade games were priced at $10, but this year, only two of the five were $10 -- the other three costing $15 apiece. (It's unclear if Microsoft counts Battlefield 1943's sales toward revenue growth; the $15 title was not technically part of Summer of Arcade this year.) Microsoft also saw success in its bold, new free entertainment department. 1 vs. 100 averaged more than half a million users during each of the game show's live sessions. According to Microsoft, the game's near "three-million" downloads within its 13-week availability places 1 vs. 100 within the top ten downloads in Xbox Live history. If we've learned anything on this gloomy fall morning, it's that people like summer gaming and Microsoft has way too many "top" lists cluttering up its offices.
RedLynx preparing Trials HD downloadable content
Having barely survived the insane stunt gauntlet crafted by Trials HD, we can only approach news of additional content in a cautious and slow manner. We're still getting used to walking with these crutches. When asked by Console Arcade if the included level editor precluded additional downloadable levels for the bone-crunching bike-'em-up, RedLynx CEO Tero Virtala and creative director Antti Ilvessuo responded, "No, there's going to be DLC. We are working on it right now as we speak."Not noted in the interview was the evil laughter that followed -- likely drowned out by the ritualistic chanting necessary to summon Trials HD levels from their demonic dimension of origin.
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Trials HD
The Summer of Arcade continues this week with Trials HD. Probably the least talked about game in the Summer of Arcade, we're happy to report that it seems like a solid title. It evokes the simplicity of Excite Bike as well as the zen state brought on by a perfect run in games like Tony Hawk. It also includes plenty of broken bones and explosions. So, something for everyone, really. Check out the latest XBLA in Brief and see what you think. The full version is 1200 ($15). Download the trial version of Trials HD [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly. [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
Hands-on: Trials HD (XBLA)
click to enlarge At its core, Trials HD is a platformer -- on wheels. The entire concept of the motocross racer is to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible, while avoiding an array of factory themed obstacles (steel beams, barrels, etc). Based on the PC Steam release Trials 2: Second Edition, Trials HD adds a few extras to the original -- along with a few graphical touches (primarily lighting). In Trials HD players race through a level (presented with 3D graphics on a 2D plane), which range from simple ramps and jumps to large Micro Machines inspired loops and circus style rings of fire. The game is based on weight and propulsion, as the terrain changes under the rubber of your (cosmetically customizable) motorbike, players use the analog stick to adjust the body weight of their racer. Pushing all the way forward (and thus shifting all weight to the front of the bike) and hitting the gas will send your race pro crashing into the ground below. Added to this is the hilarious use of physics during crashes (and the ability to bail off the bike with the press of a button) and sounds, ranging from bone crunching to nervous screaming. The original fear we had when Trials HD was announced was that movement would lose precision when a console controller translation. While the analog stick was quick to react to subtle movements in our demo, the directional pad seemed to be tweaked as the more precise weight adjuster, and it works. Trials HD also features a robust level editor to create their own tracks (split into a basic "drop in items" editor for newbies and an advanced editor for hardcore) and freely share them with the online community. PC gamers will explain, Trials 2: Second Edition became an experience that would get under a player's skin. In the classic sense of "one more turn," Trials 2: SE would somehow suck away hours, just so a player could shave split seconds off a level's completion time, to climb the leaderboards. The same will be said about Trials HD.Trials HD will be made available on the Xbox Live Arcade later this summer.%Gallery-64987%
