Joystiq

Stealth Bastard Deluxe infiltrates Mac and Linux, cheap on Steam this week

JC Fletcher — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:10:00 EST

Curve Studios' Stealth Bastard Deluxe may have been renamed Stealth Inc. - A Clone in the Dark for its upcoming PSN release, but it's still the same Bastard on Mac and Linux, where it launched this week.

To celebrate the new platforms for the stealth platformer, Curve has discounted all available versions 50% on Steam. It's now $4.99 with SteamPlay, with the soundtrack and DLC also half off.

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Stealth Bastard Deluxe infiltrates Mac and Linux, cheap on Steam this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stealth Bastard gets a new name: Stealth Inc - A Clone in the Dark

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:30:00 EST

Stealth Bastard, Curve Studios' sneaky puzzle platformer, has cleaned up its act and now sports a new name, as suggested by two fans: Stealth Inc - A Clone in the Dark. Curve held a contest to rename Stealth Bastard ahead of its launch on PS3 and Vita, promising the winner a Vita, a copy of the game and his name in the credits. Curve ended up picking two names and mashing them together, giving each person the grand prize.

"I'd like to express my gratitude to all 3,500+ of you that entered (yes, even those of you who submitted the perverted Stealth Orgasm, the outlandish Ze goggles! Zey do something! and the more classy El Chappo Stealtho)," Curve Lead Designer Sam Robinson writes. "They were all worthy titles, but there could be only one... well, two!"

RIP Stealth Bastard, and long live Stealth Inc - A Clone in the Dark, coming to Vita and PS3 this summer.

Stealth Bastard gets a new name: Stealth Inc - A Clone in the Dark originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stealth Bastard coming to PS3 and Vita, and you can rename it

JC Fletcher — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST

Curve Studios is working on the port of Thomas Was Alone for PS3 and Vita, but it's also working on a PlayStation version of its own indie game. Stealth Bastard, a side-scrolling stealth platformer, is due on both PS3 and Vita this summer, with the clone-versus-robot sneaking intact, but one very important element missing.

"We'd like to present our fans with an opportunity to be a part of Stealth B**tard's journey to PlayStation," lead designer Sam Robinson writes on the PlayStation Blog [censorship his]. "We want to rename Stealth B**tard to something less profane... it's just too rude!" Submit the winning title by April 14, and you get a Vita, a copy of the game, and a credit. Plus the lingering guilt of being responsible for the death of a title like "Stealth Bastard."

Stealth Bastard coming to PS3 and Vita, and you can rename it originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thomas Was Alone on PS3 and Vita April 24 in EU, April 30 in NA

JC Fletcher — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:45:00 EST

Thomas Was Alone will find companionship on your PS3 and/or Vita starting April 24 if you're in Europe, and on April 30 if you're in North America. Curve Studios, who is developing the PlayStation port of Mike Bithell's platformer, also noted in a recent newsletter the game will be free in Europe at launch for PlayStation Plus members.

The European PlayStation Blog, in its announcement of the deal, also shared the above video, which shows the new DLC level.

Thomas Was Alone on PS3 and Vita April 24 in EU, April 30 in NA originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stealth Bastard Deluxe sneaks onto Steam today, outed by launch trailer

Sinan Kubba — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:00:00 EST

Stealth Bastard Deluxe is lurking in the shadows - Steam's shadows, to be exact. Curve Studios' reworking of its original freeware prototype arrives on the digital platform at 1PM ET today (10AM Pacific, 6PM in the UK).

Stealth Bastard Deluxe sneaks onto Steam today, outed by launch trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stealth Bastard Deluxe gets legitimate release date of Nov. 28

Sinan Kubba — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EST

Stealth Bastard Deluxe slips onto Steam on November 28. Curve Studios' rebuild of its freeware PC prototype is priced at $9.99. The original version remains free-to-download.

Deluxe offers 80 side-scrolling levels full of challenging traps and oodles of subsequently spilled blood. The game comes with mechanical additions in its new guise, including teleporters, decoy devices, and intriguing-sounding shadow generators, as well as a revised editor.

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Stealth Bastard Deluxe gets legitimate release date of Nov. 28 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lone Survivor migrating to PS3 and Vita

David Hinkle — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:00:00 EST

Lone Survivor, the side-scrolling survival-horror game from developer Superflat Games, is coming to the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita, creator Jasper Byrne has revealed. After months of being stranded on the PC and Mac, Curve Studios will rebuild the entire code base from scratch to bring Lone Survivor to Sony's gaming platforms.

Curve Studios is the London-based house responsible for Fluidity and Explodemon, the latter of which is a quaint retro-inspired game that shows the studio has chops when it comes to pumping out the pixels. No release date on the PlayStation versions has been revealed, but Byrne says he'll offer updates through his Twitter account as progress is made.

Lone Survivor migrating to PS3 and Vita originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stealth Bastard Deluxe quietly leaps onto Steam in November

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST

Stealth Bastard: Tactical Espionage Arsehole is poised to hit Steam in November with a deluxe edition, Curve Studios design director revealed on Twitter. Stealth Bastard, described as Metal Gear Solid meets Super Meat Boy, has been available since November as freeware via its official site. You might recognize Curve Studios from its previous games, Explodemon and WiiWare's Fluidity.

The deluxe edition of Stealth Bastard will feature, at the very least, some new stealth equipment, as pictured in the above image. Below we've snuck in an image of the new greenscreen-monitor menu. There's no word yet what Stealth Bastard Deluxe will cost, if anything.

Continue reading Stealth Bastard Deluxe quietly leaps onto Steam in November

Stealth Bastard Deluxe quietly leaps onto Steam in November originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Look behind you, it's Stealth Bastard: Tactical Espionage Arsehole

JC Fletcher — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:45:00 EST

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection offers a new look at three stealth classics this week. Meanwhile, Explodemon!/Fluidity dev Curve Studio gives us a new look at the concept of stealth, with its high-speed, side-scrolling stealth game Stealth Bastard: Tactical Espionage Arsehole.

Stealth Bastard offers a sort of Super Meat Boy-style action game full of small, self-contained rooms featuring platforming challenges and deadly traps -- with stealth as a new wrinkle. Not only do you have to run and jump, you have to stay in shadows or you'll end up juiced.

Stealth Bastard is free to download for PC right this second, and even includes a level editor. As a nice bonus, it's called Stealth Bastard: Tactical Espionage Arsehole.

Look behind you, it's Stealth Bastard: Tactical Espionage Arsehole originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon review: A blast from the past

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:40:00 EST

"I am have destruct!!! Always be prepare!" - Explodemon

The titular character of Curve Studios' long-in-development platformer is a little ... special. Like its hero, Explodemon isn't the smartest game around. It isn't the prettiest, nor is it the most polished either. But, it does have one thing to spare: heart.

Design director Jonathan Biddle has described Explodemon as "a loving homage to SNES-era Japanese action games" -- and it nails the vibe, Engrish included. Within seconds of loading the game, you'll be transported to the '90s, with B-quality dialogue juxtaposed atop manga-styled panels. This will not be everyone's cup of tea; to some, it may even look and feel a little cheap. But anyone that's spent a bit too much time importing Japanese games from the 16-bit era will feel right at home.

Gallery: Explodemon

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Explodemon review: A blast from the past originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon launch! Trailer! Is very! Exclamatory!

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:30:00 EST

We've been! Inspired! By the! Launch! Trailer! For Explodemon! And! Its use! Of exclamation! Points! Every! One or! Two! Words! It adds! A lot! Of! Intensity! To the! Trailer and! We! Think! It will! Add some! Heat! To! Our Posts! As! Well! Check! Out the! Trailer! Below! Floor slide!

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Explodemon launch! Trailer! Is very! Exclamatory! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon detonates Feb. 8 on PSN for $10

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST

Unlike certain Capcom Mobile games that make us feel all weird inside, Curve Studios' Explodemon for PS3 reminds us of Twisted Pixel's Splosion Man franchise ... but in a good way (it helps that it's not a direct ripoff -- and that it was announced the same week that SM was).

After Explodemon was given an amorphous "January 2011" release window late last month, the PSN-exclusive game is now set to officially launch on February 8 in North America and February 9 in Europe, for $9.99 and €9.99/£7.99, respectively. We're using the coming weeks to prepare our blast suits, and we suggest you do the same.

Continue reading Explodemon detonates Feb. 8 on PSN for $10

Explodemon detonates Feb. 8 on PSN for $10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Curve Studios director spills about Fluidity's inspirations, origins

JC Fletcher — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:20:00 EST

On December 6, Nintendo and Explodemon developer Curve Studios released Fluidity for WiiWare, an unusual platformer in which you tilt the level to guide a puddle of water through puzzles, changing it to ice or vapor as necessary. This is framed as taking place entirely within the "Aquaticus," a sort of magical, living encyclopedia about water.

Design director Jonathan Biddle explained the evolution of the concept to Joystiq. "Early on, we were pursuing a more scientific presentational style that focused on teaching the science of water," he said. "We liked the idea that the game was an interactive school book from the future that taught you by letting you play it. As the game dropped its scientific slant, we retained the book presentation - since we still thought it was fresh - but took it in a much more colorful direction." That direction now involves guiding a small amount of water through the landscape of the book, picking up "Rainbow Drops" and clearing away the evil Influence -- an ink spill.

Gallery: Fluidity (12/6/10)

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Curve Studios director spills about Fluidity's inspirations, origins originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon trailer features puzzles, upgrades, secrets -- oh, and explosions

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:55:00 EST

Curve Studios' long-in-development Explodemon is finally coming out in January -- just one month after the release of their excellent WiiWare offering, Fluidity. In this trailer, you'll see how Explodemon's titular gift of detonation goes beyond blowing enemies up.

Continue reading Explodemon trailer features puzzles, upgrades, secrets -- oh, and explosions

Explodemon trailer features puzzles, upgrades, secrets -- oh, and explosions originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon delayed until January

JC Fletcher — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:38:00 EST

Apparently, a Q4 2010 release date was too precise a target for Curve Studios' volatile PSN action game, Explodemon. The developer sent a note out this morning to announce a delay for the title. Fortunately, the delay is teensy -- a mere bang snap of an announcement, really. Explodemon will burst onto PSN in January 2011.

In the interim, Curve will release wallpapers, avatars and such PSN goodies, which were likely intended to accompany the game, but will now precede it. A new trailer is also forthcoming. And if you're really in the mood to play a Curve-developed game this month, Fluidity will be available on WiiWare December 6.

Continue reading Explodemon delayed until January

Explodemon delayed until January originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon gets new debut trailer

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:15:00 EST

Here it is, the second "debut" trailer for Explodemon. Wait, what? Curve Studios explains that the original video "was a pre-vis ... to try and get publishers interested," adding "it's changed a lot since then." It certainly has, experiencing a few delays and shrinking down to one platform (PS3) along the way. Pay close attention to the video to see the combo system in action, and its Bangai-O inspiration in effect.

Continue reading Explodemon gets new debut trailer

Explodemon gets new debut trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Curve Studios 'focusing only on' PS3 version of Explodemon

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:05:00 EST

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

Yesterday, Curve Studios announced a Q4 2010 launch window for the PSN version of its retro-inspired blow-em-up platformer, Explodemon, though the WiiWare, PSP and PC versions were not mentioned. We contacted the developer about these omissions, and PR Manager Ed Fear confirmed our suspicions, explaining, "For the moment, we're focusing only on the PS3 version."

Fear added, "We're a small(ish) company, so it doesn't make sense for us to split our limited resources between several different versions, especially given that there'd be quite major graphical differences for the Wii/PSP editions. So, in order to really make Explodemon shine, we're putting all of our efforts into the PS3 version." Fear did note that the studio still wants to see the game on as many platforms as possible, though Curve will have to "seriously evaluate other targets once we've shipped the PS3 version."

Curve Studios 'focusing only on' PS3 version of Explodemon originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon detonating on PSN in Q4 2010

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:15:00 EST

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

Explodemon, a platformer featuring a supergroup of inspirations such as Super Mario Bros., Bangai-O and 'Splosion Man, has been given a release window by developer Curve Studios. The chemically unstable title will land on the PSN sometime during Q4 this year. The PSP and WiiWare versions weren't referenced at all in the studio's press release -- we've contacted the developer just to make sure those two versions haven't been blown to smithereens.

While you wait, check out the latest batch of screenshots for Explodemon in the gallery below. We could try to use some synonym for "explosive" to describe them but, honestly, that well's running a little dry.

Gallery: Explodemon (7/29/10)

Explodemon detonating on PSN in Q4 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon prototype videos reveal explosive gameplay, Bangai-O inspiration

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:15:00 EST

Remember Explodemon? If you don't, don't blame yourself -- the title was revealed back on April Fool's Day and hasn't been heard of since. While its core concept -- a superhero powered by self-detonation -- may seem familiar after the XBLA release of 'Splosion Man, these prototype videos show a very different direction for the upcoming PS3/PSP/Wii platformer. Perhaps an analogy would best sum up our impressions:

Explodemon : Mario :: Splosion Man : Sonic (the good 2D kind, mind you)

Jonathan Biddle, design director at developer Curve, recently wrote about the various inspirations of Explodemon, a design that has been four years in the making so far. According to Biddle, players are encouraged to get as close to enemies as possible when exploding themselves, a mechanic ripped from Dreamcast's Bangai-O. "It's risk/reward in a distilled form, and is pure Treasure genius." You can see it in action after the break.

Continue reading Explodemon prototype videos reveal explosive gameplay, Bangai-O inspiration

Explodemon prototype videos reveal explosive gameplay, Bangai-O inspiration originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon! gets smaller, still as explosive for PSP Go

Randy Nelson — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST

Curve Studios, developer of Buzz! Master Quiz for PSP, is returning to the portable platform with a version of its upcoming action-platformer, Explodemon!, designed for PSP Go. Already slated to hit PSN, WiiWare and PC, the game will arrive in downloadable form for the Go in 2010. It looks and sounds promising, with retro-inspired design and a title character who does everything by exploding.

Jason Perkins, Curve Studios' managing director, has also confirmed that the developer has "a number of" other titles in the pipeline for PSP also set for release next year. Hopefully we'll see more of its current, explosion-filled project at Cologne Gamescom -- where, it just so happens, an iPhone-style "app store" for PSP is rumored to be unveiled by Sony.

Explodemon! gets smaller, still as explosive for PSP Go originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon! is a mix of 'Yoshi's Island with Half-Life 2'

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST

We instantly fell in love with Curve Studios' upcoming Explodemon! when we saw its debut trailer. The retro-styled downloadable game is described as "what Treasure would create if they mixed Yoshi's Island with Half-Life 2" by designer Jonathan Biddle. "It includes many elements from games as diverse as Street Fighter II, Halo, Super Metroid and Bangai-O." Those are some hardcore names to drop, Biddle -- you sure your game is ready to compete with these big names?

Explodemon! has us quite excited, but we're going to have to wait quite a while before we can play it. The game is currently scheduled for a Q4 release on PlayStation Network, with PC and WiiWare versions to follow.

Explodemon! is a mix of 'Yoshi's Island with Half-Life 2' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explodemon! blows up on WiiWare, PSN in 2009

Randy Nelson — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:20:00 EST

It's generally best to keep your character from exploding in most games. That's not the case in the latest effort from Curve Studios, developers of Buzz! Master Quiz for PSP. Explodemon! (we're guessing from the logo it's "explode" plus "demon," not "Explodémon") is described as "a loving homage to SNES-era Japanese action games," in which your Mega Man-esque character must explode to survive. Paradoxical much?

Judging by the trailer's content -- which, by the way, appears to be of the PS3 version -- the side-scrolling game takes its central mechanic quite seriously. Explodemon explodes to double jump, dash, attack and knock objects into enemies. The game, set for 2009 release on WiiWare, PSN and PC, seems like a potentially sweet, retro-inspired treat. Hopefully it doesn't bomb.

[Via GamerBytes]

Explodemon! blows up on WiiWare, PSN in 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Play Factory' found on Curve Studios website

Jem Alexander — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

The PlayStation Eye is looking to get its own minigame compilation, much like the EyeToy's EyeToy Play launch title, if Curve Studio's website is to be believed. On the list of games the developer has made, it shows a title named Play Factory which includes "six individual games developed for the PlayStation Eye." There's no indication on when it's due out, or what sort of games we can expect to find on the disc, but it's nice to know that with this and EyePet Sony isn't just ignoring the PlayStation Eye. Hopefully we'll see something a little more advanced than the downloadable interactive screensavers we've seen so far.

'Play Factory' found on Curve Studios website originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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