Joy of Painting coming to Revolution & DS -- no really, seriously
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Apr 3rd 2006 at 3:25PM }
Bob Ross Inc. announced on
Friday that the painting-made-simple guru would soon be immortalized in his very own video game. Sounds like perfect
April Fool's fodder, right? Wrong. The untitled Bob Ross video game is being planned for the Nintendo
Revolution, DS, and PC. The game has been licensed to developer AGFRAG
who is currently searching for a publisher.AGFRAG's Joseph Hatcher promised, "The Bob Ross game will utilize the unique inputs that the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Revolution have that can truly immerse the players while they learn to paint like Bob Ross." He added, "I want the community to share with us ... what they’d like to see in the NDS and Revolution games. We want to keep the brush going." Next-gen killer app, anyone?
Check out Revolution Fanboy for more details.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kevin Parrott @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:30PM
Too bad it won't be in High Definition.
Andrew @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:34PM
Nothing good can come from this.
Jeremy Wright @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:36PM
Bleh, I can do this (and more) in Art Rage right now :p
David @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:36PM
Oh boy, Jack Thompson is going to have a field day with this one... can you imagine how much of our youth this is going to corrupt. All those misguided teens running around painting happy little clouds and trees... Oh the humanity!
Paul @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:37PM
I love Bob Ross. This is pretty cool. Although this is the first game I can think of ever, that is on PC and Nintendo Systems exclusively, instead of being "PS2 and PC", or "Xbox and PC", or "all consoles and PC." I don't remember any that were ever just "Nintendo and PC", besides some SNES games like Mega Man X.
Charles Garcia @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:39PM
They made a real bad day to announce this, it was posted on one of the game sites on the First, one just assumed it was a prank. My gosh... Can't wait to paint some happy little trees on my revolution.
greatslack @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:41PM
Why don't they just bring back Mario Paint?
jackal @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:44PM
I love bob Ross! I am glad there is going to be a painting game that is not a Mario or other cutesy character rip off. If I hear that sterotyped italian accent one more time... Anyway I hope that they use some of the hunf=dreds of hours of Bob Ross's voice and they get the right interface. This is the first Revolution game I am interested in.
PS Happy Trees
Debikul @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:46PM
Dude, Bob Ross is the reason I tried drugs.
To be that happy painting little trees and have such hippie-like narration that guy had to be high every show he made. Plus I'm sure that KET/PBS didn't have strict guidelines about that stuff back then.
But back to the point...yeah, Bob Ross is THE man of the museum quality artwork in 20 minutes artform. Cheers!
Matters @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:52PM
because AGFRAG != Nintendo.
I'd like to see some depth in brush selection and paint mixing abilities as well as canvas types maybe? I don't paint so I dunno, but it'd be sweet if it could do a decent job helping you learn.
I'm always down for something new. This sounds pretty sweet. I use to watch this dude on TV a lot when I was younger.
DG @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:55PM
I hope it comes with a Bob Ross afro you can wear. That's immersive gaming.
joe @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:56PM
yes, gimmicky gameplay will go way beyond we could have thought of thanks to nintendos gimmicky controller.
i hate u nintendo :(
R.U.Sirius @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:58PM
I knew it. I soooo knew it. I predicted it. Bobb Ross Revolution is the perfect killer ap for casual gamers.
And I'm so gonna buy this game. Now I don't have to resort to watching his show when I'm stoned. I'll just paint along with him. Heh.
And remember: "We don't make mistakes. We only have happy accidents. Mkay?"
-R.U.Sirius
Vagabond Artist @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:01PM
greatest. game. idea. ever.
Peretz @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:04PM
This game has potential. The devs can turn it into a killer app or a complete disaster, leading to even more Ninty bashing. Hope they land it smoothly.
P.S- No drugs paraphernalia please, Im trying to get ahold some buds. Meanwhile, discuss.
dresden @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:04PM
That's kinda cool. I wonder what'll be like. How will stuff be saved and then what can you do with it?
I welcome these new concepts. Different is good.
Matters @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:06PM
Nice flamebait post there joe.
People who think the DS is a gimmick are a dying breed.
Player1 @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:21PM
This game might actually be cool if it used the 360 controller.
Fish @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:23PM
@ 12:
So, if they released it for Xbox360, it wouldn't be gimicky. If they release for a console that would have an input 100% more relative to the subject matter, it's a bad idea? Nintendo isn't making the game either, they're just licensing it on their system. No one bitched about the first Photoshop being a gimick.
I'm really excited to see this, I just hope it's executed properly.. and not just slapped together with the word "Bob Ross" on the front.
Pip @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:28PM
I'm so buying this.
It will be a collectable if nothing else. I think the whole stylus / pointer controller set up is a brilliant idea.
SpottedNigel @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:28PM
Bob Ross Paint + mass detachable storage = New computer desktop every day
Rob Boss @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:28PM
I doubt the Nintendo Revolution has the computational power to reproduce that magnificant cloud of hair.
If only i could pick a fro like that...
joe @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:31PM
the ds is too a gimmick in most cases, and i own it so i should no.
im not a fanboy, but i hate microsoft and i dislike nintendos new gimmicky concepts, but im still buying them because im a diehard nintendo fan as well as sony.
the thing i mentioned is that its obious that the rev will bring gimmicky games to the table. but i hope its not gonna get consumed by them
Andy O. @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:33PM
6. They made a real bad day to announce this, it was posted on one of the game sites on the First, one just assumed it was a prank. My gosh... Can't wait to paint some happy little trees on my revolution.
--
Notice the DATE that the press release was actually posted, 2 weeks before March 31st. The only reason the announcement exploded was because someone on these sites saw the announcement so close to April 1 and thought, "This has to be a joke, better let the Internet know."
Turns out, it's not, I'm looking forward to this one. Good luck Joseph and AGFRAG group!
Ahms @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:34PM
I'm looking forward to how well this game turns out. Big Bob Ross fan here
One_noc @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:35PM
All right, we are going to use a fan brush here and uh, why don't you take some hunter green and we are going to put a happy little bush right down over here in the corner there and that'll just be our little secret.
And if you tell anyone that that bush is there I will come to your house. And I will cut you.
Rob Boss @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:38PM
Van Dyke Brown is not in the Nintendo Revolution's available color palette.
=(
Player1 @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:40PM
dresden, what's so different and new about this concept? It's painting with a stylus pointer, digital artists have been doing it for years. You can do it right now on your computer.
The only thing innovative about this title is Bob Ross. If people keep praising things like this, Nintendo is eventually going to release every common task as a game. Coming in 2007: Virtual Stapler. Wow, it's almost like really stapling!
32_footsteps @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:41PM
I don't know what's better, that I will be able to turn my DS into a would-be Wacom, or that I can do it while looking at that awesome 'fro.
I really hope they include Bob Ross voice clips. I'd start playing this in public just to see who would react to "Happy little trees."
Quite honestly, this is brilliant. I want this game already purely on nostalgia alone.
Paul @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:45PM
@23
So I guess the shift key is a gimmick too, right?
2Kings @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:45PM
Move over big boss, here comes bob ross!!!!
jay @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:46PM
I don't know or care who Bob Ross is. But a Revolution art application? if it rivals Corel Painter then I'm all for that.
... How on earth is the DS going to save images? Obviously to its own cart but what about backing them up/showing off on a PC? The Rev could do it with it's SD and USB2 port. hmm. GBA port SD card reader anyone?
Gonzo @ Apr 3rd 2006 5:17PM
I thought this was an april fools goof too.
This is real?
This was one of my favorite shows when I was a teen. Of course I usually watched it under the influence
[don't do drugs kids]
and my work never came out nearly as nice as his but Bob Ross is such a trip.
I also dig the spoof of him on the Boondocks.
Can't wait.
leojsoap @ Apr 3rd 2006 5:19PM
whoa how cool, I wonder how powerful this'll be on the revolution, I've been thinking about buying a tablet for use with photoshop but this may take care of that
Marc @ Apr 3rd 2006 5:28PM
Hey #12 shut up about Nintendo! As a matter of fact, To anyone who thinks that Nintendo is "gimmicky" lay off!
Since when is trying something new a gimmick? I'm sure that Da Vinci was full of gimmicks, along with the Wright brothers!
Anyone who thinks or says this is just afraid of change because you'd rather sit on your lazy ass playing with your PS2! Call me a fanboy if you want but JESUS, LAY OFF YOU DAMNED SONY FANS!
epobirs @ Apr 3rd 2006 5:29PM
In time, every satire is overtaken by reality.
Matters @ Apr 3rd 2006 5:41PM
Player1 I'll tell you what's unique about it. (or maybe not unique, but atleast a good reason for it's existance)
For one I don't have to buy a $600 paint program and an expensive Wacom tablet or a tablet PC.
Two it's something I could play on the go (on my ds) or just while I watch tv.
It probably won't be for serious artist so I don't need serious tools and serious amounts of time.
And lets not forget ease of use and the ability for us newbs to possibly paint something (eventually?) that doesn't look like complete shit. Perhaps it will have a built in tutor. That's a big plus.
Oh and Joe, now that you own one.. why don't you try going and uhh.. you know.. buying some games for it? What are you like 10 years old? You think anybody here cares that you think the DS is a gimmick?
Matters @ Apr 3rd 2006 5:48PM
oops I meant innovative not unique.
Jay for saving art consider this. Nintendo Wi-Fi.
You could connect online and save your pictures then access them from the web. That would be sweet.
Sense @ Apr 3rd 2006 5:53PM
This may be the best concept for a game ever. Bob Ross is cool beyond words. I can't wait to see this.
had2comment @ Apr 3rd 2006 6:02PM
Wow. My mom was just saying how she wanted the Bob Ross DVDs. The day this game comes out is the day I buy my mom a DS and/or Revolution.
However, can this little bit of software really be called a game? I smell paradigm shifting. Well, it's either that or I need to change my socks.
mike @ Apr 3rd 2006 6:05PM
the DS is a gimmick?
Try Metroid.
Next you're gonna tell me the Mouse is a gimmick too..
FPS on the DS rule, now that the Metroid team has set the standard for FPS control with the touchscreen
Reid @ Apr 3rd 2006 6:07PM
A Bob Ross game has the potential for greatness, but let's slow down for a minute and take a look at the developer. Has anybody here even heard of AGFRAG? What games have they made in the past before? Their website is less than encouraging...
silverSurfer @ Apr 3rd 2006 6:12PM
It could most definetly be considered a game depending on how its implemented. I joined their Yahoo group to bounce ideas around with the team on what to include. Even though any ideas I submit become theirs, I think its cool I can be part of the process and who knows maybe an idea of mine might be in the game.
Marty @ Apr 3rd 2006 6:25PM
Yes! I can finally be an artist with crazy hair! This is going to be just like "Being John Malkovich" (with slightly worse acting, naturally).
Babylonian @ Apr 3rd 2006 6:31PM
You guys were a bit late with this one. =/ From late March.
Very exciting. Can't wait for the tutorial mode.
rudimentalist @ Apr 3rd 2006 7:03PM
@1
No offense here, really. Nothing personal. But I doubt the target audience for "Joy of Painting" owns High Definition televisions. I wish the HD-era could just skip a generation for video game consoles. Remember how DVD players were 300$ and now you can get them for 30$? How about when HD TV's are 10% of their original price we start seeing HD games. It's a largely japanese industry, and Japan doesn't care about HD currently, in the meantime all you HD fans can play PC games. I wonder if you HD enthusiasts really just need glasses. How much clarity do you truly need in an image? In the meantime poor college students will be buying the much cheaper Revolution to play Mario Party 9 drinking games and painting happy trees in Joy of Painting.
R.U.Sirius @ Apr 3rd 2006 8:18PM
Heh, exactly, rudimentalist (#43). Can't wait for that.
-R.U.Sirius
Will @ Apr 3rd 2006 8:41PM
I have to include this link from the old Seattle show Almost Live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7zapc0ULcA&search=almost%20live
Kevin Parrott @ Apr 3rd 2006 8:49PM
#43
No offense taken. You might need common sense way more than I need glasses, though. For a painting/artwork game, HD resolution would simply be much better. How many photoshop artists work in 640x480 nowadays? Think about what you're asking in regards to an ART game: "How much clarity do you really need?" How about "As much clarity as possible, considering you're painting artwork." Which is better: a digital Van Gogh reproduction in 640x480 resolution, or a Van Gogh in 1280x720 or 1920?080 resolution? Because I think the lower resolution is going to make the Van Gogh look like a bunch of colored blobs. Lower resolution limits your options. Maybe not for Mario Party 9, but certainly for an art game which requires precision and fine line/brush work.
Using your logic, why do we even need a next-gen painting game in the first place? Shouldn't Mario Paint SNES be "good enough?"
By the way, there are some 27-30 inch CRT HDTVs available for about $350 (or less, if you're a smart shopper) nowadays. If you can afford a whole new gaming system, extra controllers for your Mario Party 9 drinking buddies, and brand-new games at $50 a pop - you were never a poor college student in the first place, and you can probably afford the TV to go along with it.
Matters @ Apr 3rd 2006 10:55PM
My god get over your self. You got a new HD TV yesterday and all of a sudden you're better than everybody else or something? Art game on a regular tv no longer good enough for you? Shit man tell you what your ass wasn't watching Bob Ross in HD 20 years ago.
You're gonna sit here and tell me (with a strait face) that regular TV aint good enough for a painting game? That's fucking laughable at best.
This isn't fucking Van Gogh you ass. Lets take a vote right now and see how many of us can paint like Van Gogh.
Jesus fucking christ.
And who says that poor college students spend their money wisely? Oh so because they can afford beer and a $50 game they should be watching TV on 50" HD screen? Get fucking real. Yeah. They might be able to afford the TV some how some way, but then what? sit there and stare at it all day cause you can't fucking afford cable TV, a console, video games OR beer?
Great. I completely see your point. You've blown us all away with your superior intelect.
And Babylonian. Late march was 3 fucking days ago, and the NEWS is that the game ISNT an April Fools joke like we all thought it was.