Twisted Pixel reveals 'The Gunstringer' for Kinect, coming in 2011
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Twisted Pixel has unveiled The Gunstringer, the studio's fifth game -- but its first to star a marionette bent on revenge. The announcement trailer (after the break) depicts a western setting with a cartoon flair, blending 2D and 3D elements. In terms of how the game actually plays, the trailer depicts gesture-based actions, with each of the game's scenarios featuring a live audience reacting in the background. TP hasn't announced whether The Gunstringer will be a retail game or one of the first Western-developed XBLA games for Kinect.
If you weren't lucky enough to make an appearance at Twisted Pixel's video shoot for the game last week, there'll be another chance to fraternize with the Texas-based devs at March's PAX East in Boston, where both Ms. Splosion Man and The Gunstringer will be playable.
Update: The Gunstringer's official website has opened and lead designer Dan Teasdale added some details on the forthcoming Kinect title, writing in a post, "As you may have already gathered, The Gunstringer is unlike any Kinect game you may have played previously. There are no minigames, forced gestures, or end of level photos of you in your underwear here. You can play it sitting down, which is great if you just want to play and relax rather than burn crazy calories. Most importantly, you can aim and move with precision not seen in any of the Kinect launch titles, and with a speed and feel that's just not possible with a traditional controller."
Teasdale additionally says, "From the start of this project, we've focused on getting across the feel of marionetting a puppet's movement through a 3D world, then mixing that with the fun and mayhem of targeting-focused shooters like Rez. One minute you'll be navigating the Gunstringer over tricky ravines or towards secret paths, the next you'll be ducking behind cover to take out a half-dozen clockwork alligators with your six shooter."
If you weren't lucky enough to make an appearance at Twisted Pixel's video shoot for the game last week, there'll be another chance to fraternize with the Texas-based devs at March's PAX East in Boston, where both Ms. Splosion Man and The Gunstringer will be playable.
Update: The Gunstringer's official website has opened and lead designer Dan Teasdale added some details on the forthcoming Kinect title, writing in a post, "As you may have already gathered, The Gunstringer is unlike any Kinect game you may have played previously. There are no minigames, forced gestures, or end of level photos of you in your underwear here. You can play it sitting down, which is great if you just want to play and relax rather than burn crazy calories. Most importantly, you can aim and move with precision not seen in any of the Kinect launch titles, and with a speed and feel that's just not possible with a traditional controller."
Teasdale additionally says, "From the start of this project, we've focused on getting across the feel of marionetting a puppet's movement through a 3D world, then mixing that with the fun and mayhem of targeting-focused shooters like Rez. One minute you'll be navigating the Gunstringer over tricky ravines or towards secret paths, the next you'll be ducking behind cover to take out a half-dozen clockwork alligators with your six shooter."
Reader Comments (64)
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:22PM Poor Tom said
the gameplay looked kinda lacking, but all they showed was him running. I would have liked to see more specific examples of how the kinect lets you control the game.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:27PM Co said
@Poor Tom
"the game play looked kinda lacking"
Probably going to be very common theme with any games attempting to present a more "traditional" approach with Kinect.
Kinect pretty much draws the line down the middle of the playing field so to speak, in terms of what genres will and will not work very well with it.
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"the game play looked kinda lacking"
Probably going to be very common theme with any games attempting to present a more "traditional" approach with Kinect.
Kinect pretty much draws the line down the middle of the playing field so to speak, in terms of what genres will and will not work very well with it.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:26PM Tephlon said
This.
It (appears) to be the first time we've seen devs make "core" game that takes advantage of the Kinect control scheme. I'm not sure if falls into the "couldn't be done without Kinect" category... but hopefully it falls into the "more fun with Kinect" category.
I welcome more ideas such as this.
It (appears) to be the first time we've seen devs make "core" game that takes advantage of the Kinect control scheme. I'm not sure if falls into the "couldn't be done without Kinect" category... but hopefully it falls into the "more fun with Kinect" category.
I welcome more ideas such as this.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:27PM Randomlyrossy said
From the trailer the gameplay looks alot like Comic Jumper. Which isn't a particularly good thing in my opinion.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:17PM tylerh1701 said
@Randomlyrossy
My thoughts exactly, looks like Comic Jumper 1.5 using kinect.
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My thoughts exactly, looks like Comic Jumper 1.5 using kinect.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:35PM louiedog said
I loved The Maw and Splosion Man. I was totally on board with the FMV and most of the humor from Comic Jumper, but I didn't care for the gameplay at all. This looks like the worst parts of the Comic Jumper gameplay... with motion control. It might be good, but I'm not sold in any way yet. I'll be interested to see how it turns out.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:35PM Shadowbender said
Looks pretty schnazzy.
I'm a little surprised though at how they included Microsoft's competitors' own controllers in the announcement trailer for an Xbox game.
I'm a little surprised though at how they included Microsoft's competitors' own controllers in the announcement trailer for an Xbox game.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:24PM andysexton said
@Shadowbender That was a slam. Basically saying this game couldn't be played on PS3, Wii, or PC due to how it required Kinect to capture the hand controls.
It wasn't saying good things about competitors. Quite the opposite.
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It wasn't saying good things about competitors. Quite the opposite.
Posted: Feb 9th 2011 8:28AM ipsum said
@andysexton
I don't think he was implying that it was a good thing...
It's just weird. Normally these attacks are implied, with other companies being implied and not included. So to see the actual competitors in this commercial, brand name and all, is a little odd.
Reminds me of this commercial, though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVL3uW9uV4E&feature=related
And WHOA! Ethan Suplee! Haha.
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I don't think he was implying that it was a good thing...
It's just weird. Normally these attacks are implied, with other companies being implied and not included. So to see the actual competitors in this commercial, brand name and all, is a little odd.
Reminds me of this commercial, though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVL3uW9uV4E&feature=related
And WHOA! Ethan Suplee! Haha.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:41PM Bueno88 said
I'd imagine this would get rather stale rather quick. Run. Jump. Shoot. In different variation of combinations. No extra weapons at least?
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:42PM mmmfishtacos said
They showed better control methods before hand.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:57PM PedoJokerBear said
@mmmfishtacos
before hand, i see what you did there.
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before hand, i see what you did there.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:42PM darkinchworm said
Looks to me like a game that could be played somehow on all of those controllers I had to watch for 40 seconds
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:24PM darkinchworm said
@JCat Clearly, but it remains to be seen if that is a feasible gimmick.
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Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:43PM AmanteDuck said
I'm confused. Why would he try to use all those controllers with his Xbox? He should have known better...
Posted: Feb 2nd 2011 2:43AM ToTheMoon said
@AmanteDuck
I think the commercial was trying to convey that xbox users aren't very teksavvy, lose their patience easily and smash keyboards like troglodytes. Either that or it was a lame attempt to make fun of the competition..
The gameplay looks horrible. Plain and simple. I think the best thing about this game will be this ad. Unless of course, your are a 6 year old named Jimmy. Then this game may just very well be the highlight of your young gaming career. I give it my "hey, it's 2006, and it's a shovelware Wii game" vote.
Note: The Wii does have some great games - I was just referencing the fact that there were a lot of gimmicky shovelware games that fell upon us in the early days.
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I think the commercial was trying to convey that xbox users aren't very teksavvy, lose their patience easily and smash keyboards like troglodytes. Either that or it was a lame attempt to make fun of the competition..
The gameplay looks horrible. Plain and simple. I think the best thing about this game will be this ad. Unless of course, your are a 6 year old named Jimmy. Then this game may just very well be the highlight of your young gaming career. I give it my "hey, it's 2006, and it's a shovelware Wii game" vote.
Note: The Wii does have some great games - I was just referencing the fact that there were a lot of gimmicky shovelware games that fell upon us in the early days.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:46PM rahnyc4 said
no yeahhhh, i would have better enjoyment with playing this game using a wii mote, than using a damn kinect.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 12:57PM Gooblechev said
I spied some Kevin MacLeod music in there.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:08PM oolz said
I love how some of you tards say it would be better to play with a traditional controller without actually knowing how the kinect controls work... nubs.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:15PM mmmfishtacos said
@oolz Buttons and rumble, I think it's called tactical feed back, kinetic is lacking.
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Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:04PM mmmfishtacos said
@mmmfishtacos Im just going to take down votes as being right. fanboys....
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Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:14PM chrnochime said
"....which is great if you just want to play and relax rather than burn crazy calories."
Translation: Thankfully we have found a way for you to play with the Kinect and still be a couch potato and stay unfit :D
Translation: Thankfully we have found a way for you to play with the Kinect and still be a couch potato and stay unfit :D
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:17PM kmcroc said
Must get day one,just for the hell of it .
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:17PM AnimaOnline said
I honestly thought that trailer was mocking Kinect. When it showed gameplay there was nearly no movement of the on-screen cursors and absolutely no gunfire. Either way, it looked like a terrible game. Hopefully I'll be proven wrong.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:21PM Mcmax3000 said
It's made by Twisted Pixel and the lead developer is the same lead developer as Rock Band 2 & Rock Band 3?
I don't think I could possibly be more sold on this game.
I have full confidence that the team will produce something amazing. They haven't let me down yet (I loved Comic Jumper).
I don't think I could possibly be more sold on this game.
I have full confidence that the team will produce something amazing. They haven't let me down yet (I loved Comic Jumper).
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:23PM chefKILLEDmeat said
Sooooooo they are making fun of every other platform because you have to use some type of controller to use motion controls?? haha PS move > Kinect....but that is just my opinion. I do love Twisted Pixel though...I have 2 of there XBL games and they are pure gold to me:)
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:27PM xreadmore said
@chefKILLEDmeat
I don't think so, it was more like "How do I control this guy!?"
You could argue that it's an insult to Kinect because he tried everything else first and Kinect was the last after-everything-else choice.
=)
ps i like Kinect and this looks like fun
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I don't think so, it was more like "How do I control this guy!?"
You could argue that it's an insult to Kinect because he tried everything else first and Kinect was the last after-everything-else choice.
=)
ps i like Kinect and this looks like fun
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 4:13PM chefKILLEDmeat said
@xreadmore
That's another way to look at it....they were his first choices! I just think the PS move would of worked with this game....they were soooo faking it:)
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That's another way to look at it....they were his first choices! I just think the PS move would of worked with this game....they were soooo faking it:)
Posted: Feb 2nd 2011 4:50PM Liquidfingers said
@chefKILLEDmeat
that doesn't even make sense...
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that doesn't even make sense...
Posted: Feb 2nd 2011 5:06PM chefKILLEDmeat said
@Liquidfingers
Same thing she said when I told her magnum condoms were just for the ego...condoms are basically rubbers...they all STRETCH. I know I know common sense but some people just don't get it.
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Same thing she said when I told her magnum condoms were just for the ego...condoms are basically rubbers...they all STRETCH. I know I know common sense but some people just don't get it.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:23PM Machiavellian79 said
After reading the developers comment, it appears the game does not use full body tracking as you can be seated while playing. Also he mention how accurate the shooting will be compared to using your standard controller.
After watching some indies and do motion tracking with kinect, I do believe this statement. If you are not using the full body tracking, there appears to be no lag with Kinect. I am interested in the game since Twisted Pixel has a good track record with me.
After watching some indies and do motion tracking with kinect, I do believe this statement. If you are not using the full body tracking, there appears to be no lag with Kinect. I am interested in the game since Twisted Pixel has a good track record with me.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:32PM GamingColt said
Always a Day 1 Purchase for Twisted Pixel products. I liked Comic Jumper and 'Pew Pew'ing with your hands seems fun :)
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:38PM gettinmoney662 said
PEW PEW!
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 1:42PM Raffi256 said
This is a Day 1 trial download for me.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:01PM Zopyrus said
I'm sure the doll will autorun while you just pop with your hands to shoot or jump, not so interesting..
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:17PM GB330033 said
@Zopyrus How can you be sure of this? What if it controls like an actual puppet? IE: Tilt hand in a direction to move that way, pop up to jump, lower down to duck, etc.
Seems like a very interesting control scheme to me.
Plus, its Twisted Pixel. I'd hesitate to dismiss ANYTHING coming from those guys
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Seems like a very interesting control scheme to me.
Plus, its Twisted Pixel. I'd hesitate to dismiss ANYTHING coming from those guys
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:13PM mmmfishtacos said
@GB330033 I think that's what they are going for, but it could also be done with a wii or move controller. When i was a kid my dad would bring me stuff back from around the world. and he brought puppets like this back from Spain. all though the puppets strings are tied to a stick and not your fingers.
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Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:58PM GB330033 said
@mmmfishtacos If you look real close at the video it looks like there is a wooden "airplane control" (as I understand they are called) above the characters head. Perhaps movement is done as though your hand is holding the "stick" that the strings are tied to?
Yes, you could probably make this game for the Move/Wii, I think the opening part of the video was just Twisted Pixel having some fun
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Yes, you could probably make this game for the Move/Wii, I think the opening part of the video was just Twisted Pixel having some fun
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:07PM Darth Tigris said
And thus the 2nd wave begins. Twisted Pixel is just fantabulous and I like the dev comments a ton. I'm gonna have to start saving up for Kinect because I think we ain't seen nothin' yet.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:23PM SuperWoody64 said
Um...why the horse? Didn't it actually slow him down?
I'll definitely try the demo and I'm surprised there aren't 17 people complaining about how they won't be able to play this because they hate the kinect.
I'll definitely try the demo and I'm surprised there aren't 17 people complaining about how they won't be able to play this because they hate the kinect.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:38PM Jack Kevorkian said
Everytime I see Rez mentioned in anything I get very aroused.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:47PM link306 said
PS3 controller, reason it doesn't work probably not turned on.
Wii Remote, reason it doesn't work definitely NOT turned on.
Mac keyboard, seriously!?!?!? Do I even have to spell it out???
Wii Remote, reason it doesn't work definitely NOT turned on.
Mac keyboard, seriously!?!?!? Do I even have to spell it out???
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:53PM LittleMofreaky said
Now I really need Kinect.








