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Taito's Ishida: 'Expect to see more Groove Coaster'
If you've played Taito's beautifully abstract iOS music game, Groove Coaster, you probably want more of Taito's beautifully abstract iOS music game, Groove Coaster. And you'll have it. During an interview today, producer Reisuke Ishida told Joystiq: "People can expect to see more Groove Coaster in the future." As for the details, like when, or whether it's in the form of game updates or a full sequel, we got "No comment."One (vector-based, icon-covered) avenue he'd like to explore is a console port, much like the XBLA/PSN port of his iOS shooter Space Invaders Infinity Gene. "There's no plan for a console release of Groove Coaster yet, but if it's possible it's something that I'd like to do," Ishida said. "I don't think the controls would be much of an issue; it's pretty simple controls." Ishida said he kept consoles in mind while designing Groove Coaster. "I didn't want to add something that wouldn't be able to be communicated for consoles in the future."In terms of non-Groove Coaster games, Ishida teased a third game in what he called the "Infinity Gene series (which currently includes Infinity Gene and Groove Coaster). "It'll probably have a similar aesthetic to the previous two games, but people shouldn't expect another shooting game. It'll be something different."Ishida quickly clarified: "I'm not saying I'm never going to make shooting games again, just not for the next project."
Reisuke Ishida on why perfect games can't be perfect
Taito designer Reisuke Ishida devoted a GDC panel to "five techniques for making an unforgettable game," and his most interesting tip for accomplishing that was perhaps counterintuitive: don't make it perfect.Perfect games, argued Ishida, are boring. In Space Invaders Infinity Gene, for example, he originally experimented with making the invaders more colorful (which you can see on the right in the shot above). But that look made the game "look too 'normal,'" Ishida said. "It didn't really stand out enough for us." He decided to go back to the white coloring of the original invaders, and that helped give the game a unique look.Those graphics may not be the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but Ishida said that helps more than it hurts. "You need a little bit of that quirkiness," he told the crowd, "so it captures your eye and your attention, and it leaves that impression."And that attention leads to curiosity, which Ishida said will really make a game shine. "People will find that curiosity and they'll want to find out where that curiosity is going to take them," he said. Developers obviously don't want to turn off an audience with disharmony, but Ishida said a great game should have "just a little touch -- something that will trigger someone to think that maybe there's a little more that I need to seek out."
Hark, the herald Groove Coasters sing
It's a Christmas miracle! Taito Claus has bestowed five new downloadable Groove Coaster songs upon all the good little vector dots and Invader icons of the world -- including a techno-y Christmas tune. We're not going to be listening for the tapping of reindeer feet this Christmas because we're going to be tapping out music. Even better, the game is on sale right now for .99 -- joining other seasonally discounted Taito games including Cooking Mama and Space Invaders: Infinity Gene.
Space Invaders Infinity Gene propagates to Android tomorrow
After engagements on iOS, PSN, and XBLA, the techno-trippy, genetics-themed shmup Space Invaders Infinity Gene is mutating into an Android game. The shooter will be available for purchase tomorrow on the Android Market for $5. If you're an Android adherent, and at all interested in the idea of a shooter that slowly "evolves" new abilities, visual styles, and gameplay elements as you play it, you'll want to check this out. Not only because we think it's a novel shooter with accessible touch controls, but also so you can use your money to influence Square Enix to port Reisuke Ishida's follow-up game, the amazing Groove Coaster.
'Groove Coaster' coming from Space Invaders Infinity Gene creator
Reisuke Ishida, the creator of Taito's mobile/XBLA/PSN shmup, Space Invaders Infinity Gene, is working on a new game called Groove Coaster. No details -- no release date, platform, or even genre -- have been revealed, but the teaser site offers some clues. A pulsating graphic of an Invader with headphones suggests that it'll still use Taito's iconic characters (and thus will be a Taito-published game). The teaser site calls it an "exhilarating next-gen groove game," which suggests it'll be musical in nature. It also says the game is "coming soon," which our experts have interpreted to mean it's coming soon.
Space Invaders Infinity Gene soundtrack evolves into digital release
Square Enix has made it possible to enjoy the excellent Space Invaders Infinity Gene soundtrack, by Taito "house band" Zuntata, for use even outside of shmup-related activities. The publisher has released the album on CD, the Amazon MP3 Store and iTunes (and mora in Japan), bundling all the tracks from the iPhone and XBLA/PSN releases, plus the iPhone update, into a single music collection. The CD edition also includes "a visual reference guide/sticker sheet depicting all 90 characters from the game." This is the first simultaneously digital and retail release for a Zuntata album; if you want to know why that's so awesome, we suggest listening to some preview tracks on iTunes. That way, you'll hear how cool the music is and realize you didn't have to mail-order a $50 CD from Japan.
XBLA deals for next week are decidedly anti-alien
Do you hate aliens more than every single one of Will Smith's cinematic personas combined? We don't blame you: Extraterrestrials are the worst. We plan on getting some cathartic release with next week's XBLA deals, which mark down a few of the platform's more anti-alien titles.
11 PSN games discounted by 50% tomorrow
Tomorrow's PSN update will be notable for what it adds to the PlayStation Store, though you may be a little fonder of what it's set to remove: fifty percent from the price of 11 games in an "11 for 2011" sale. Among the discounted games are Double's Fine enchanting Costume Quest for $7.49, hypnotic brick breaker Shatter for $3.99 (its excellent soundtrack is also discounted to $2.99), and Hoard for $7.49 -- a fitting saving for a dragon looking to amass a boast-worthy pile of presents and a roast-worthy mass of peasants. Sony has also included other well-received games like Swords and Soldiers, Tumble and Space Invaders Infinity Gene in the sale (valid in the US, Canada and Mexico through January 31). Have a peek at the full list after the break. Warning: Peggle is in there too.
XBLA in Brief: Space Invaders: Infinity Gene, KOF Sky Stage, Sonic Adventure
With TGS in full swing, it's only appropriate that this week's trio of Xbox Live Arcade releases comes courtesy of Japan. There's Sonic Adventure, a King of Fighters-branded shooter and a new twist on Space Invaders -- not to be confused with that other new twist on Space Invaders. Watch the latest episode of XBLA in Brief and see if any of these games deserves a closer look. iTunes] Subscribe to XBLA in Brief directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the XBLA in Brief directly. [RSS] Add the XBLA in Brief feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
PSN Tuesday: Worms 2, sale on Monkey Island 2 and Mega Man 9
It's a relatively quiet week for the PSN update ... unless you count the explosions from all-out wormy warfare in Worms 2 Armageddon. The first downloadable PlayStation Move game, Tumble, also makes it debut alongside demos for Move titles Racquet Sports and EyePet. There are also discounts this week on Monkey Island Special Edition 2: Lechuck's Revenge and Mega Man 9. So, all in all, a pretty good week for downloadable titles. Check out the full update after the break. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Space Invaders Infinity Gene Xbox 360 & PS3 preview: a classic evolved
Space Invaders: Infinity Gene is coming to PS3 and Xbox 360 next week, on September 14 and 15, respectively. Although based on the iPhone version of the game, the HD presentation and the much-needed ability to use a gamepad makes it a worthwhile upgrade over the iPhone version. It's far easier to pull off combos, powered by consecutive shots, with a controller -- especially when you're able to see your ship (instead of your thumb). For those unfamiliar with the game, the concept centers around the evolution of the shooter. Starting with the iconic intro stage to the original arcade game, Infinity Gene introduces new gameplay and visual elements as you reach certain score targets. The first upgrade allows you to move your ship freely across the X and Y axis, and eventually you'll be able to move along the Z-axis as well. The visuals transform from a monochromatic not-even-8-bit look, to a wild barrage of colorful vectors. Like the rest of the recent Space Invaders games, Infinity Gene may be more fun to look at, than to actually play. The entire presentation is high-concept -- every time the bright white "EVOLUTION" screen appears on the screen, it's hard not to think how odd this title really is. It's definitely intriguing, but perhaps not everyone's cup of tea.%Gallery-101728%
Space Invaders Infinity Gene lands on PSN and XBLA in September
The Square Enix Downloadable Games Twitter account has brought excellent news to those of us who despise UFOs and want to see them destroyed in an ever-increasing variety of ways: The company tweeted that the PSN and XBLA versions of Space Invaders Infinity Gene will arrive in September. The game's official site also features that date, both on the page itself and at the end of a brief new trailer (accessed by clicking the box labeled "The Beginning"). We can expect this date to evolve into a more specific date soon, and then an actual playable game after that.
Space Invaders Infinity Gene XBLA, PSN versions confirmed
According to Siliconera, the latest issue of Famitsu confirms what a source (and the OFLC ratings board) told Joystiq: Taito's ever-adapting shooter, Space Invaders Infinity Gene, is being released on Xbox 360 and PS3. The game appears in the magazine's table of contents. Additionally, 1UP reports that other Japanese game magazines have confirmed the Infinity Gene console release, which is said to be a downloadable port of the iPhone game for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. Even if it's just a direct port, we relish the opportunity to play this already-great game without covering up any of the screen with a big fat finger.
Rumor: Space Invaders Infinity Gene cloned for XBLA and PSN
A trusted Joystiq source has confirmed that Taito's mobile and iPhone game Space Invaders Infinity Gene is coming to Xbox Live Arcade and PSN. Further corroborating our source's intel is Australian ratings board the OFLC, which has published a rating for an unspecified "multiplatform" release of Infinity Gene. Ubisoft, which distributes Square Enix titles in Australia is listed as the publisher. (Square Enix is the parent company of Taito.) With some neat functionality -- the iPhone version lets players generate levels based on their stored music -- and an HD facelift, we'd be willing to bet Space Invaders Infinity Gene wouldn't find much opposition on Xbox Live Arcade and PSN. Previously, Taito released a version of its handheld series Space Invaders Extreme on XBLA to positive reception.
Best iPhone games of the year picks start to roll in
Gamasutra wins the award for being the first (that I've seen) to pick awards for their best five iPhone games of the year, and the list is respectable, if a little short for such a huge set of possibility. Unfortunately, they don't win any TUAW points for going with Skee-Ball over our preferred Ramp Champ, but Rolando 2 was a worthy sequel to a worthy game, Edge (now Edgy) and Eliss are both great games (too bad you can't play the former, but the latter was underrated for sure), and Space Invaders Infinity Gene deserves to be on almost any end-of-the-year iPhone game list. Good picks in there for sure. DigitalTrends also has a long list, though strangely, they tend to stick to big names and brands. There are a few gems in there -- Spider, UniWar, and Vay may be a couple good choices that you haven't heard of yet. And here's another top 10 list with some repeats from the ones above and a few more nice picks. I guess with the end of the year upon us, we'll probably have to choose TUAW's favorites of 2009, too, eh? Stay tuned.
iPhone It In: Space Invaders Infinity Gene
Space Invaders Infinity Gene sounds like a complete retread of Space Invaders Extreme: a new shooter made by mixing retro-style graphics with techno music and brightly-colored, swirling visuals. But Infinity Gene, ported to iPhone from Japanese mobile platforms, is a very different game, with little relation to either Space Invaders Extreme or the original game outside of a few visual shoutouts. And as such, Extreme's brilliance doesn't make this new reimagining redundant.%Gallery-69389%
Space Invaders Infinity Gene propagates to iPhone today
The latest evolution of Taito's prehistoric Space Invaders franchise, Space Invaders Infinity Gene, has moved from Japanese mobile phones to the iPhone/iPod Touch App Store as of today. At first glance, Infinity Gene seems to be the same kind of flashy techno Invaders found in Space Invaders Extreme, but the new game takes a different route that offers a customizable experience.Starting out as classic Invaders, Infinity Gene changes over time, adding new graphics, abilities, levels, and gameplay to an "evolutionary tree." The game even allows players to move up and down on the scrolling screen. Infinity Gene also generates levels from songs stored on the iPhone or iPod. It's the freshest idea to hit Space Invaders since, well, Extreme, and it's available now for $5. We're just a little excited. See the trailer after the break.[Via Touch Arcade]Space Invaders Infinity Gene (Taito, $4.99):
