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Lode Runner creator Douglas E. Smith passes away
Douglas E. Smith, creator of 1983 puzzler Lode Runner, has passed away. Tozai Games, the current holder of the Lode Runner license, tweeted its condolences yesterday and asked for fans to reflect on their personal highlights with Smith's iconic classic. According to Tozai's timeline for the series, Smith's development of Lode Runner began during his time at the University of Washington, where he created a prototype called "Kong." The interest and support of his peers pushed Smith to work full time and submit a finished version called "Miner" to publishers, with Broderbund distributing it as Lode Runner for the Apple 2, Atari 8-bit, MSX and Commodore 64 in 1983. Lode Runner's legacy of ports and successors includes a 2012 release of Lode Runner Classic, which added features to the original version that Broderbund Software distributed. [Image: TozaiGames]
R-Type Dimensions drags PS3 into an alien firefight on May 20
Five years after it debuted on the Xbox 360, developer Tozai Games has announced plans to release a PlayStation 3 version of R-Type Dimensions on May 20. Like its Xbox 360 predecessor, the PlayStation 3's R-Type Dimensions is an upgraded compilation featuring both R-Type and R-Type 2, two classic games which stand as pillars of the side-scrolling shoot-em-up genre. While arcade purists can opt to play either game in their original, pixel-pocked forms, R-Type Dimensions also offers new, high-definition, polygonal graphics and remastered sound. Additionally, Tozai has added an Infinite Mode, which grants players an unending supply of ships, as well as a Level Select for those who want to practice their shoot-em-up skills on a specific stage. Most crucially, R-Type Dimensions includes modern network code, allowing players to blast aliens alongside a friend from anywhere in the world. Local co-op is also included, just in case that players happen to be sharing a couch. [Image: Tozai Games]
Spelunker HD update and DLC will kill you starting August 28
Spelunker HD – the PSN game from Tozai Games about an extraordinarily fragile cave explorer, not the XBLA game Spelunky that was partially inspired by Spelunker – will get new DLC almost two years after release, along with a free update.The update, due August 28, adjusts the camera in online multiplayer, and gives you ten new "Championship Mode" stages for free! Seven more Championship Mode packs will be out soon after, each adding ten stages. These stages all give you 50 lives to start instead of five, because they're apparently even harder than the brutal game. Two more unspecified DLC packs are also planned for September.Each Championship Mode update costs $1.99/€1.99, unless you're a PlayStation Plus member. For two weeks after the update, both Spelunker HD and the DLC will be sold at half price ($5 for the game, $1 for each DLC pack) for Plus.
Spelunker HD drops into Euro PSN tomorrow
PS3 owners in Europe interested in extremely methodical, simulated cave exploration will get a treat tomorrow. Tozai Games announced that Spelunker HD will be released on the Euro PSN this week, allowing more challenge-seeking gamers to step into the shoes of gaming's most delicate hero. In retro or modern graphical modes, you'll navigate through dark caves, looking for keys and treasure, while maintaining your air supply and avoiding the spikes, stalactites, ghosts, bats, birds, and short falls that will end your life. The announcement offers good news for North American spelunkers, as well: the European and American versions will share leaderboards and servers, meaning we'll see an infusion of new players for the up-to-six-player co-op.%Gallery-130238%
Lode Runner XBLA price drops, new DLC available
For a new "Sales & Specials" spot on the XBLA dashboard, Microsoft has dug up Tozai Games' 2009 XBLA version of Lode Runner, whose price has just been permanently cut from 1,200 Microsoft Points to 800 ($10). That does sound like a sale and/or special. Coinciding with the price drop and featured position, Tozai Games is launching two new DLC packs for the cheapened puzzler. The 160-point "Skill Pack" is available now, according to Tozai, and contains 50 new puzzles (15 of which are co-op) and eight "Hang On" levels. On April 13, Tozai will release the Journey Pack, with eight stages of both the Journey mode and Co-op Journey. That's -- we're so sorry -- a lode of new content.%Gallery-118661%
Spelunker HD brings the fragile explorer to PSN November 23
We know of at least one weirdo who has been patiently waiting for the North American release of Spelunker HD -- because he's writing this post. Those of you who, like me, are looking forward to joining up with five friends and exploring ghost-filled caves as an adventurer who can't fall more than about five feet without dying, will be able to do so on November 23. That's when the long-awaited (again, by me) Spelunker HD arrives on PSN for $9.99. It features both new, updated HD graphics and a "retro mode" which displays the new game in authentic 8-bit style. Check out a trailer after the break -- a trailer that features surprisingly long stretches of death-free gameplay.
Lode Runner reloaded to 1200 MS Points [update]
We don't know if this is some new marketing tactic by Microsoft, but Lode Runner is now 800 ($10) on the Xbox Marketplace, instead of the previously announced 1200 ($15) -- oddly enough, it's still $15 for a code from Amazon. We're not ones to poo-poo providence, so we'll take the 33 percent discount and like it.Well, actually, we did poke the sleeping lion to find out about the surprise "discount." Hopefully, doing so won't spur a price hike. If it does -- yeah, totally our bad.Update: Lode Runner is now priced at 1200 ($15). See what happens when you demand we be thorough, follow-up reporters? But, in all seriousness, here's what Major Nelson had to say about the seesawing release: "This was incorrectly priced at 800 points. That has since been corrected." But is it correct?[Add Lode Runner to download queue]
This Wednesday: Lode Runner digs XBLA
There are two ways to arrive at the fact that Lode Runner will release on Xbox Live Arcade this week. The first way -- and definitely the most fun way -- is by a process of elimination. You see, of the seven titles announced for the Days of Arcade event, Lode Runner is the only one that hasn't been released yet. See, logic is fun!If you'd rather be boring and have someone just tell you, the game was also confirmed on the latest Major Nelson podcast during an interview with the game's producer and designer, Brett Ballow. The game will include online and offline multiplayer and also a level editor(!). Now that we've gotten everyone nice and excited, the price: 1200 ($15).
This Wednesday: R-Type Dimensions blasts XBLA
Microsoft just sent official word that the Xbox Live Arcade will receive Tazai's R-Type Dimensions this Wednesday, February 4th. Dimensions is a remake of classics R-Type and R-Type II, both mashed together in 2D and 3D flavors that can be switched between at will. With 14 stages, cooperative play, a new camera mode, plenty of game stats and the inclusion of checkpoint saves (woohoo!), R-Type Dimensions looks to be a winner. But before you commit to an XBLA purchase, know that Dimensions will cost you 1200. We're sure that will deter a few.
