Joystiq

Skyrockets in flight, Hybrid is a delight

David Hinkle — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST

Hybrid is an online-only, three-on-three, cover-based, third-person shooter - with jetpacks. Phew! Don't worry, movement is very simple. You point your reticle at a piece of cover and hit a button to initiate automated flight. While moving quickly through the air you can aim and strafe, and you can switch your cover destination mid-flight. Flying out of cover is a big risk, but fighting in the air leads to the exciting stuff: dogfighting and jousting.

Gallery: Hybrid (4/26/2012)

Continue reading Skyrockets in flight, Hybrid is a delight

Skyrockets in flight, Hybrid is a delight originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrid will cost $15; beta to kick off at 'the end of this month'

David Hinkle — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST

5th Cell's XBLA-exclusive shooter, Hybrid, now has a price point: 1200 MS Points ($15). Producer Caleb Arseneaux confirmed the pricing with Joystiq during a preview session earlier this week.

Arseneaux also narrowed down the beta timeline. Initially set to launch the game sometime following GDC, 5th Cell is now targeting a live date by "the end of this month." Arseneaux wouldn't go into more detail, but reinforced how essential the beta would be to Hybrid's successful launch.

If you signed up for the closed beta, you should receive an email with your download code soon.

Hybrid will cost $15; beta to kick off at 'the end of this month' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sign up for the Hybrid beta right now

JC Fletcher — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST

5th Cell has opened registration for the beta of its upcoming XBLA game Hybrid -- true to its word, shortly after GDC. By going to the Hybrid site and signing up, you get a chance to receive one of a limited number of keys for the closed beta, which begins in "late April." Regardless of whether or not you get in -- or whether or not you sign up -- there's an exciting new trailer above.

The developer must be confident that every beta player won't find obnoxious glitches, because it holds firm to its summer 2012 release window.

Gallery: Hybrid (3/20/12)

Continue reading Sign up for the Hybrid beta right now

Sign up for the Hybrid beta right now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrid beta test begins on XBLA 'shortly after GDC'

JC Fletcher — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST

5th Cell's XBLA shooter Hybrid is ready for a semi-public debut. The developer announced an XBLA beta test this morning, with signups taking place "shortly after GDC" (which runs next week, March 5-9).

This may not be as welcome as news of a release date, but it does mean that the game is in a state to be played by at least a subset of the community, which strikes us as a positive development. Now, if you get into the beta, make sure you find all the bugs immediately so 5th Cell can release the game.

Hybrid beta test begins on XBLA 'shortly after GDC' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scribblenauts Remix tops a million downloads, Valentine's Day update now available

David Hinkle — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:45:00 EST

Soon after launching in October, Scribblenauts Remix soured to the top of the charts in the App store. Today, Warner Bros. celebrates one million downloads to date for the iOS title with a new Valentine's Day-themed update.

Players will find a free new Valentine's Day playground in which to conjure up objects -- the press release offers a few suggestions for odd items, including a "loving, polka-dotted charonosaurus" or "giant, pink, flying chocolate box." If we didn't read heavy, leather-bound books, like, every day, we'd think WB was trying to pull a fast one on us with that charonosaurus business, but we assure you it is a real animal. It is, in fact, the ancestor of charizard.

Continue reading Scribblenauts Remix tops a million downloads, Valentine's Day update now available

Scribblenauts Remix tops a million downloads, Valentine's Day update now available originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5th Cell's third-person ceiling shooter Hybrid arrives this summer

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST

After pushing back its crazy shooter concept, Hybrid, to a 2012 launch window, Scrriblenauts dev 5th Cell is once more ready to talk about the forthcoming Xbox Live Arcade game. First things first: Hybrid is now scheduled for a summer 2012 launch window. Hooray!

Moreover, 5th Cell is promising a variety of major updates as a result of the delay time. Said promises include locking the shooter's framerate at 60FPS, a redesigned look, and a new twist on the in-air movement. Take a look at the improvements with the latest media straight from 5th Cell, above and below.

Gallery: Hybrid (XBLA)

5th Cell's third-person ceiling shooter Hybrid arrives this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Portabliss: Run Roo Run (iOS)

JC Fletcher — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:15:00 EST

Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Run Roo Run.

I was delighted to be able to bring you the first look at 5th Cell's new iOS game, Run Roo Run. I'm even more delighted to be able to report, after playing it for a few days, that it's totally fun.

It's a simple platformer that avoids the problems so many iOS platform games face, by combining a traditional-style platformer with auto-run mechanics. The levels are smaller and more carefully designed than most auto-runners, so you still have tricky, precise jumps planned out by an evil genius, but protagonist Roo runs automatically like in a Canabalt-type game, sparing you the heartbreak of having to deal with virtual directional controls.

Continue reading Portabliss: Run Roo Run (iOS)

Portabliss: Run Roo Run (iOS) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Run Roo Run' available now on iOS, from Scribblenauts dev

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:00:00 EST

Run Roo Run, 5th Cell's recently announced "micro-platformer," is available now through the iOS App Store. The "auto-run" game, featuring a kangaroo crossing Australia to find her joey, is the first of four titles the studio plans to launch this year.

Continue reading 'Run Roo Run' available now on iOS, from Scribblenauts dev

'Run Roo Run' available now on iOS, from Scribblenauts dev originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5th Cell planning four games for 2012, including Hybrid

JC Fletcher — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:45:00 EST

While talking to 5th Cell creative director Jeremiah Slaczka about the new iOS game Run Roo Run, I couldn't help but check in regarding the developer's delayed XBLA shooter Hybrid. "Hybrid is coming along great," Slaczka told me. "The game has been heavily refined since we gave the first hands-on at GDC last year. All the same core concepts are there, but there's a lot of new surprises we want to show off. We'll be revealing a lot very soon actually."

Slaczka said that Hybrid is one of four new games 5th Cell expects to release this year. "Run Roo Run will be our first and Hybrid may or may not be our next, we'll see." Slaczka remained adamant that Hybrid would make a 2012 release. "We may be using Source Engine," he said, "but that doesn't mean we adhere to Valve Time."

5th Cell planning four games for 2012, including Hybrid originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5th Cell introduces Run Roo Run, its new weekly iOS platformer

JC Fletcher — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST

How do you follow a game like Scribblenauts, in which you can make and do almost anything? For developer 5th Cell, the answer is to make a game in which you can only do one thing: jump.

Run Roo Run for iPhone and iPad, coming this Thursday, is a "micro-platformer" about a kangaroo crossing the suspiciously dangerous landscape of Australia in search of her joey. We've got the first media, along with details from 5th Cell.

Gallery: Run Roo Run (iOS)

Continue reading 5th Cell introduces Run Roo Run, its new weekly iOS platformer

5th Cell introduces Run Roo Run, its new weekly iOS platformer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scribblenauts Remix gets Siri support on iPhone 4S

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:40:00 EST

Are the commands you're barking at your constant iPhone 4S companion Siri not humiliating enough? Great news: Scribblenauts Remix was recently updated to add Siri voice recognition support to the title, letting you create (imaginary) objects with your mouth-words.

Scribblenauts Remix gets Siri support on iPhone 4S originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scribblenauts Remix for .99 is an easy write-off

JC Fletcher — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:45:00 EST

At just 99 cents, Scribblenauts Remix for iOS represents, unquestionably, the best deal the series has ever seen, unless you found a Super Scribblenauts cartridge on the ground or something. And even if you happen to have one of the other games, you might be interested in this version for its new iOS-exclusive levels, freshened-up graphics, and because it's 99 cents.

There's no indication as to how long this discount will be available, so make haste. For reference, we tried to make "haste" in Scribblenauts just now and it suggested a haetae instead.

Scribblenauts Remix for .99 is an easy write-off originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scribblenauts Remix penciled in for iOS release today

JC Fletcher — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:46:00 EST

5TH Cell used its magic pen and notebook (actually a bunch of professional programmers, designers, and engineers within its own team and Iron Galaxy Studios, but whatever) to create an iOS version of its innovative DS game Scribblenauts, delivering the complete product to the App Store ... right now.

For 5 bucks, you can download the universal app Scribblenauts Remix (so that's what that title is!) featuring the signature gameplay -- writing words to summon objects, then using those objects to solve puzzles. The app is apparently based on Super Scribblenauts, meaning you can punch up your items with adjectives. It even has new iOS-exclusive levels.

For five dollars.

Scribblenauts Remix penciled in for iOS release today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Scribblenauts Remix' domain registered by WB

JC Fletcher — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST

WB apparently hasn't written off the Scribblenauts series, if a recent domain registration is any clue. Superannuation found a registration for the site scribblenautsremix.com.

The use of the word "remix" in the potential game's title would suggest that the new game is based on material from the first two; i.e. remixed content instead of entirely original material. But we don't know more than that -- and, since that was just an extrapolation based on the title, we don't really know anything. Though we might expect more Scribblenauts, which seems like a good thing. We've typed out an email to WB to try to summon some answers.

'Scribblenauts Remix' domain registered by WB originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5th Cell's Hybrid bumped to 2012

JC Fletcher — Thu, 12 May 2011 17:00:00 EST

Hybrid, developer 5th Cell's unique XBLA shooter, originally slated for a release sometime this year, can now be expected to provide an unexpected experience in 2012. 5th Cell announced the delay today, with creative director Jeremiah Slaczka explaining that "with an additional year, we can take what we've learned and really drill down on our ideas to hopefully transform this game into something great."

When we saw it a couple of months ago, it was a tactical shooter with movement mapped to the buttons. It's already a transformative experience. We kind of can't wait to see how the company is going to "transform" it further.

Continue reading 5th Cell's Hybrid bumped to 2012

5th Cell's Hybrid bumped to 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrid preview: A new breed

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

After getting turned around in the rain on the way to check out Scribblenauts developer 5th Cell's first XBLA game, Hybrid, I wandered into the initial presentation a few minutes late. And so, I missed creative director Jeremiah Slaczka explain what sets Hybrid apart from other third-person shooters -- which is nearly everything.

Ten minutes later I had my hands on an Xbox 360 controller and understood why Slaczka looked at me like my head was on backwards when I asked what makes the game different from other XBLA shooters. For starters, player movement is mapped to buttons -- a crucial aspect of Hybrid's bizarre, yet shockingly accessible controls -- leaving the right analog stick free to adjust the camera.

Slaczka and his team at 5th Cell mitigated the "circle-strafing with shotguns" play style of most online shooters by making movement more deliberate. The result is a game that plays like real-time, sped up, 3-on-3 Valkyria Chronicles. Which, to be clear, means it's a lot of fun.

Gallery: Hybrid (GDC 2011)

Continue reading Hybrid preview: A new breed

Hybrid preview: A new breed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5th Cell reveals sales for Scribblenauts, Drawn to Life

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:30:00 EST

5th Cell's focus on original IP has worked out quite well for the independent developer, selling millions of copies of its innovative titles. During a DICE 2011 presentation on the studio's development strategy, general manager and COO Joseph Tringali shared that it has sold 3.5 million units in the Drawn to Life series and 2.5 million of Scribblenauts games. We'd known previously that the original Scribblenauts was the fifth best-selling DS title of 2009.

The developer is currently working on Hybrid, its XBLA title expected to launch sometime this year. 5th Cell has been incredibly cagey on details, but creative director Jeremiah Slaczka told Joystiq that it'll have its big reveal at GDC next month.

5th Cell reveals sales for Scribblenauts, Drawn to Life originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Solid Snake and other Konami characters appear in Japanese Scribblenauts

JC Fletcher — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST

In addition to the ability to buy it in Japan and play it in Japanese, there are additional benefits to Konami's Japanese localization of Scribblenauts. Specifically, you can use the power of your words to bring forth Konami characters into 5th Cell's world.

In these screenshots, including one tweeted by Hideo Kojima and two from Hachimaki, you can see Scribblenized versions of Old Snake, Gradius's Vic Viper, and Love Plus's Manaka Takane. Apparently, the other two Love Plus girls were left out for some reason.

Continue reading Solid Snake and other Konami characters appear in Japanese Scribblenauts

Solid Snake and other Konami characters appear in Japanese Scribblenauts originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How 5th Cell follows Naughty Dog's lead with Hybrid

Justin McElroy — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST

"Expect the unexpected" may be a cliche all but robbed of meaning by overuse, but it's also a pretty helpful way of understanding the path of Scribblenauts developer 5th Cell. Creative director Jeremiah Slaczka explained why the studio's choice of Hybrid, a team-based shooter, isn't such an odd one for the up-to-now kid-friendly studio. Now that we have a slightly better understanding of Hybrid's persistent, ongoing, massively multiplayer war, we're starting to get where he's coming from.

5th Cell has been a two-project studio since it developed Scribblenauts alongside Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter for the DS, and Slaczka said the studio is still growing. "Right now our studio is at sixty people and still expanding with three full projects in development. We've learned a lot as a studio since the original Scribblenauts and I'm very proud of how our studio has matured in our development," he told Joystiq. "I think working on multiple projects simultaneously has really helped us to expand our talent base; we've always got the right person for the right job, which is indispensible for us as we are offered the opportunity to evaluate new platforms."

Gallery: Hybrid (1/26/11)

Continue reading How 5th Cell follows Naughty Dog's lead with Hybrid

How 5th Cell follows Naughty Dog's lead with Hybrid originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5th Cell's 'Hybrid' to feature persistent online war

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:20:00 EST

5th Cell continues to hold back details on its XBLA shooter Hybrid, but the developer has released one key nugget that recalls games like PlanetSide and Chromehounds. Hybrid will feature a "a persistent online world war" with "hundreds of thousands" of players on a "single, unified world server." As always, the war will be waged between the blue team (the Paladins) and red team (the Variants), as the two sides fight to control "territories and countries, leading to global domination" on what appears to be a world map cribbed from Risk.

What was initially teased as "a completely new gameplay experience never seen before in the genre" is now revealed to be ... "an innovative new system unique to the shooter genre." Really? Oh, but it has a name! An "it came from marketing"-sounding name: "Combat Focused Movement." Just what is it? We'll have to wait for the first hands-on demo of the game at next month's GDC to find out.

Gallery: Hybrid (1/26/11)

Continue reading 5th Cell's 'Hybrid' to feature persistent online war

5th Cell's 'Hybrid' to feature persistent online war originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go deep into Super Scribblenauts with 5th Cell's Jeremiah Slaczka

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST

Looking for deep level Super Scribblenauts gameplay ideas but tired of all those crazy walkthroughs? 5th Cell creative lead Jeremiah Slaczka's got you covered, recently starring in a video on just that subject. Grab your thesaurus, your DS, and a notepad -- things are about to get crazy.

Continue reading Go deep into Super Scribblenauts with 5th Cell's Jeremiah Slaczka

Go deep into Super Scribblenauts with 5th Cell's Jeremiah Slaczka originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scribblenauts headed to Japan as 'Maxwell's Peculiar Notebook'

JC Fletcher — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:47:00 EST

Konami has agreed to undertake the arduous task of translating Scribblenauts into Japanese. On January 27, Konami will release 5TH Cell's DS adventure game as "Flash Puzzle: Maxwell's Peculiar Notebook." ("Fushigi" means anything from "strange" to "mysterious" -- we've gone with Andriasang's translation here.)

Ironically, it seems to be a localization of the first Scribblenauts, which means it'll lack the sequel's adjective function, making it impossible to create a "mysterious" notebook in-game. But Konami already has to translate the 22,000 word dictionary for this (budget!) release, so it's understandable. It's probably been working quietly on the game since before Super Scribblenauts even came out.

No screens were released, so we don't yet know if any cosmetic changes were made to the game, nor how text entry is handled.

Scribblenauts headed to Japan as 'Maxwell's Peculiar Notebook' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Hybrid' XBLA shooter announced by 5th Cell, due 2011

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:15:00 EST

The countdown on Scribblenauts developer 5th Cell's site ran its course last night, revealing the somewhat surprising identity of the studio's next project: An Xbox Live Arcade third-person shooter called Hybrid. The game, which is built with the Source Engine, has players enlist in one of two opposing forces, Paladins or Variants. Aside from their titles, these two factions seem to exhibit other differences, as evidenced in the trailer posted after the jump. For instance, one's good at taking cover, while the other does parkour.

5th Cell promises that Hybrid will provide "a completely new gameplay experience never seen before in the genre," a claim that might not be so outrageous given the studio's innovations in the puzzle-platformer genre through its Scribblenauts series. If we were a betting site, we'd wager that the wall-to-ceiling-running shown in the trailer has something to do with said innovativeness -- but seeing as how Hybrid's due for release sometime in 2011, it might be a little too early for such baseless conjecture.

Gallery: Hybrid (concept art)

Continue reading 'Hybrid' XBLA shooter announced by 5th Cell, due 2011

'Hybrid' XBLA shooter announced by 5th Cell, due 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5TH Cell counting down to XBLA announcement [update]

JC Fletcher — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST

Scribblenauts developer 5TH Cell is about to reveal its next game, which it has been teasing for almost a year -- but there's a bit more teasing to do before that happens. The developer posted a seven-day countdown for the title on its site, revealing in a press release that the end of the countdown -- ~~Thursday, October 28 at 10pm PDT~~ Friday, October 29 at 1am EDT and 1am PDT -- will coincide with the reveal of the new title on Spike TV. A brief teaser will also be shown tonight.

According to the press release, the game will be "a completely new experience for Xbox Live Arcade players." 5TH Cell's Jeremiah Slaczka has previously told Joystiq that the company's next original game would use the Source Engine. We'll find out more in ... seven days, and counting.

Update: 5TH Cell informed us that it sent out the incorrect time yesterday. You'll be able to see the reveal on Friday, October 29 at 1am EDT/PDT.

5TH Cell counting down to XBLA announcement [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Scribblenauts review: Everyday I write the book

Justin McElroy — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST

Forget the Scribblenauts you knew.

Usually, when people say things like that, it's because the new thing is so different, that trying to compare it to the old thing is just going to leave you confused. That's not the case with Super Scribblenauts, which is tonally, graphically and sonically almost identical to its predecessor.

No, I mention it only because Super Scribblenauts, which fixes practically every problem with the series' debut, is viewed most favorably in an alternate dimension where said debut never existed.

Gallery: Super Scribblenauts (DS)

Continue reading Super Scribblenauts review: Everyday I write the book

Super Scribblenauts review: Everyday I write the book originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Scribblenauts-branded eggs coming soon to the UK

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 04:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Thanks to Super Scribblenauts, we've learned all about this delightful little caste of words known as "adjectives," which can be used to describe things. With this knowledge, we now have the ability to talk about Warner Bros. bizarre, inscrutable, unprecedented and delicious new promotion for the wordy puzzle title: A partnership with UK's Stonegate Eggs, to include Scribblenauts branding on cartons of the company's "Intelligent Eating Eggs."

The promotion will have an accompanying website, where egg consumers can solve puzzles for a chance to win a DSi and a copy of the vocabulary-expanding sequel. We guess we can see the correlation, but we still wish the game had a more direct impact on the foodstuff. Imagine if you will: Super Scramblenauts, a foil pouch with pre-made scrambled eggs inside, for on-the-go oh man that would be disgusting.

Super Scribblenauts-branded eggs coming soon to the UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Scribblenauts trailer pits 5TH Cell against Cowthulu

JC Fletcher — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 02:00:00 EST

In this Super Scribblenauts trailer, 5TH Cell creative director Jeremiah Slaczka makes a personal, Scribblenaut-ized appearance to outline the new adjective feature. And then proceeds to upstage himself by making a "cuddlesome cowlike Cthulu." And a "brave milkmaid." To milk it. So ... yeah.

Continue reading Super Scribblenauts trailer pits 5TH Cell against Cowthulu

Super Scribblenauts trailer pits 5TH Cell against Cowthulu originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grab Super Scribblenauts early at LA launch party

JC Fletcher — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

After holding the first Scribblenauts launch event in New York, Warner Bros. Interactive has decided to modify the party for Super Scribblenauts with a couple of adjectives, like "sunny" and "smoggy." The launch party for the DS puzzle-adventure sequel will be held at the GameStop on Sunset and Vine in Los Angeles on October 10.

There, you'll be able to buy the game early, of course, and also participate in a Super Scribblenauts costume contest, solve puzzles on a magnetic wall and meet the 5TH Cell team responsible for the game. The celebration is only going on from 11AM-2PM -- if you're late, you'll have to buy the game on its regular October 12 date, like everyone else in America.

Update: See the invitation after the break.

Continue reading Grab Super Scribblenauts early at LA launch party

Grab Super Scribblenauts early at LA launch party originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Scribblenauts preview: Maxwell's house

Mike Schramm — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST

From what we've seen, it seems safe to say that if you liked Scribblenauts, you'll love the sequel. It's got a refined and updated version of the original's wordplay, along with plenty of fun extras like a level editor with deep scripting capability, and a "merit" achievements system that keeps the gameplay moving even after you've beaten the 100-plus levels the first time.

But what if you didn't like Scribblenauts? What if, like me, you were charmed by the premise, but were overwhelmed by the execution, by the option to create anything in order to solve a series of often nebulous puzzles?

Gallery: Super Scribblenauts (Gamescom 2010)

Continue reading Super Scribblenauts preview: Maxwell's house

Super Scribblenauts preview: Maxwell's house originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Scribblenauts features a reprogrammed Maxwell

Mike Schramm — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Upon playing Super Scribblenauts, it becomes readily apparent why you'd want to use the D-pad to manipulate the game's hero, Maxwell. So why wasn't that an option in the first game? Joystiq asked 5TH Cell Creative Director Jeremiah Slaczka, and were told that the original touch-screen input didn't draw any complaints -- at least not from casual players. "We haven't gotten any emails from casual users," he told us this week, "that are like, 'Hey, I don't like the controls.' It's the hardcore users that are like, 'I play Mario all of the time, and I'm a hardcore gamer, and I'm used to these kinds of controls, and what's what I want."

Though controlling Maxwell directly with the D-pad may seem an obvious choice, it wasn't the first time around. "Maxwell's actually an AI," Slaczka said. "So it wasn't just like throw the D-pad controls in." Maxwell was programmed to respond to the rest of the game's systems rather than just follow button directions, and so it didn't occur to the developers to control him directly. "You'd have to overwrite all of the code that we'd built up for him. So in the second one, we basically did that." The team "stripped out" all of the behaviors and responses that had been coded, and created the option for "one-to-one player control."

For his own part, Slaczka says he doesn't care which option players use, but he'll stick with the stylus. "This isn't a platforming game," he said. "This is a puzzle game. Unfortunately, it has a platforming-type feel to it. So we said for the second one, that's fine, we'll address it, we'll give you both. And we actually fixed up the stylus controls, too, so Maxwell doesn't run away as you tap -- when you let go he stops. So we made it way better."

Super Scribblenauts features a reprogrammed Maxwell originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Scribblenauts screenshots are really, really (adjective)

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:20:00 EST

You guys already know the drill: 5TH Cell has released a new batch of screenshots for Super Scribblenauts, one which follows the format of all the developer's previous asset blasts for the series. That is to say:

There's a lovely, illustrated desktop background, followed by:
A handful of clever solutions to a few in-game puzzles, which leads into:
A couple of screens showing the puzzle creation tools, and finally:
A screen showing that, yes, the game is capable of discerning between cerulean, sunlit, cow-like, centaurian, tricolor and cotton elementals. This screen is commonly referred to as "5TH Cell's really just showing off now."

Gallery: Super Scribblenauts (Gamescom 2010)

Super Scribblenauts screenshots are really, really (adjective) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5TH Cell's next game uses the Source engine

JC Fletcher — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Jeremiah Slaczka, creative director and CEO of Super Scribblenauts developer 5TH Cell, dropped a tantalizing hint about the company's next project in a statement to Joystiq. "We're not ready to reveal our next original game just yet, but I can say we're using the Source Engine for it," Slaczka told us.

Slaczka wouldn't confirm or deny whether this is the XBLA project mentioned last year. But if it's using Valve's FPS-friendly Source engine, it's unlikely to be a DS game -- and it's unlikely to be Scribblenauts. As for when we can expect to learn more about this mystery project: "Hopefully we'll have something to show people in a few months."

5TH Cell's next game uses the Source engine originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Scribblenauts gets a powerful, angry, vampiric Gamescom trailer

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:20:00 EST

If the expansive dictionary found at the center of Scribblenauts left you bewildered, we're curious about what you'll think of the trailer for Super Scribblenauts posted below. It the game's noun recognition was indeed powered by black magic, its adjectives must be the work of Cthulhu.

Continue reading Super Scribblenauts gets a powerful, angry, vampiric Gamescom trailer

Super Scribblenauts gets a powerful, angry, vampiric Gamescom trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Listen to Super Scribblenauts in style with GameStop's pre-order bonus

JC Fletcher — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:15:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

They're "fuzzy." They're "camouflage" -- or "polka-dot" or "grey," depending on which you happen to pick up. According to WB, they're "chic," "colorful" and "plush." We would argue that they are "loud" in two different ways. And they're also "free." Appropriately, there are plenty of adjectives to describe the Super Scribblenauts pre-order bonus, the Adjectivized Headphones.

Unless you pre-order your copy of the game from GameStop, they're also "inaccessible." The headphones will be handed out (in the three aforementioned color schemes, randomly selected) with pre-orders of the game on its October 12 release date. And they'll totally look "awesome" worn over a Rooster Hat.

Listen to Super Scribblenauts in style with GameStop's pre-order bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Scribblenauts ESRB description confirms mermaid-murdering computers

JC Fletcher — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:51:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Were you concerned about whether or not you'd be able to create a man-eating bicycle in Super Scribblenauts? Parents, do you have a strict "no homicidal houses" policy for your kids' entertainment media? The ESRB has stepped in to offer a few (extremely) random examples of what's possible.

Continue reading Super Scribblenauts ESRB description confirms mermaid-murdering computers

Super Scribblenauts ESRB description confirms mermaid-murdering computers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See and save on Super Scribblenauts at Comic-Con

JC Fletcher — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Comic-Con is turning out to be pretty worthwhile simply for DS-related reasons. In addition to the exclusive Dragon Quest IX content, you'll have a chance to try out Super Scribblenauts, and save $5 on the game for your trouble.

Warner Bros. Interactive will have demo stations for the adjective-enhanced adventure in its booth (#4545). Those who go to check it out will get an adjective of their own, thanks to a $5 Best Buy coupon to turn their own copies of Super Scribblenauts into cheap copies. The publisher released this charming artwork today as well, depicting some adjectivized objects found within the game. A plaid kappa! A wooden cat, in a furry cup, maybe? A tiny, striped, winged elephant! These are things that you can use in a video game to solve puzzles!

Gallery: Super Scribblenauts Comic-Con artwork

See and save on Super Scribblenauts at Comic-Con originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Preview: Super Scribblenauts

JC Fletcher — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:00:00 EST

Last year at E3, the game press lost its collective cool over Scribblenauts. We suspect we're headed for another collective freakout with Super Scribblenauts. Last year, it was the audacious, impossible-sounding concept of thinking of any noun and summoning it to solve a puzzle. This year, we've all had time to become familiar with the concept -- but the fact that the sequel has been refined to fix the one problem the original game had might be worth the renewed enthusiasm.

Gallery: Super Scribblenauts (DS)

Continue reading Preview: Super Scribblenauts

Preview: Super Scribblenauts originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Scribblenauts unpacking adjectives this Fall on DS

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:28:00 EST

Start flexing those ... whatever muscles you would use to exercise your imagination. Warner Bros. Interactive today announced Super Scribblenauts, the sequel to last year's similarly titled puzzle-platformer. The DS game will hit store shelves sometime this fall. Check out the first three (tiny, tiny) screenshots from the game in the gallery below.

As hinted at by the April issue of Nintendo Power, players will be able to modify the game's catalog of summonable items using adjectives, leading to complex creations such as "gentlemanly, flaming, flying zombies and purple, obese, winged elephants." That sounds wonderful, but we're more excited by the announcement's surreptitious reference to "upgraded controls." Does that mean we'll actually be able to walk to said lavender pachyderm without accidentally jumping into that adjacent pit of lava? We can only hope!

Gallery: Super Scribblenauts

Super Scribblenauts unpacking adjectives this Fall on DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 May 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scribblenauts on Wii up to fans

JC Fletcher — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:15:00 EST

If your major issue with Scribblenauts was that typing was too easy, you may be interested to hear that 5TH Cell isn't ruling out a Wii version. Echoing previous statements about the developer's openness toward additional platforms, creative director Jeremiah Slaczka told the UK's Official Nintendo Magazine that a Wii version of the vocabuladventure is possible. All you need to do is ask for it (and buy the upcoming DS sequel)!
"I think a Wii version could happen," Slaczka said. "It's all about the fans - if the fans speak up and continue to buy and play the second one like they did the first one, I don't see why we couldn't make a case for a Wii version." The DS sequel -- which is still unnamed -- will be released this fall.

Scribblenauts on Wii up to fans originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renowned devs creating 'Big Name Games' for free WarioWare D.I.Y. DLC

JC Fletcher — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST

Playing your own microgames in WarioWare D.I.Y. is great and all, but what if you could play 5-second microgames designed by your favorite developers, like 5TH Cell, Gaijin Games, and even Cave Story creator Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya? In the weeks following the release of the microgame creation suite, you'll be able to do just that.

Every Monday from March 29 through July 26, Nintendo will make new microgames in its "Big Name Games" series available for free download through WarioWare D.I.Y. The first offerings will include the game Yoshio Sakamoto showed off at his GDC presentation, as well as a game from Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai. Team Meat and WayForward are also contributing games.

Renowned devs creating 'Big Name Games' for free WarioWare D.I.Y. DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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