Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Engage in Gratuitous Space Battles for free this weekend on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/engage-in-gratuitous-space-battles-for-free-this-weekend-on-stea/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/engage-in-gratuitous-space-battles-for-free-this-weekend-on-stea/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/engage-in-gratuitous-space-battles-for-free-this-weekend-on-stea/#comments Engage in Gratuitous Space Battles for free this weekend on SteamGratuitous Space Battles is pretty much precisely what it says - massive, interstellar dogfighting for basically no reason, aside from the fact that it's fun. Give it a go for free this weekend on Steam for PC and Mac, now through Sunday, February 24 at 1 p.m. PT.

If you discover that space-based wars are your thing, Gratuitous Space Battles is 75 percent off through February 25. That's $3.75 for just the game or $4.75 for the Complete Pack, which includes a heap of DLC.

Gratuitous Space Battles developer Chris Harris describes his game as a "hands-off battle simulator for giant space fleets," and he says the gameplay embraces a chaotic lack of control found in real-life military operations. Whether on the ground or among the stars, we imagine it is indeed difficult to strategize with people shooting at you.

Gallery: Gratuitous Space Battles

JoystiqEngage in Gratuitous Space Battles for free this weekend on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>free-weekendGratuitous-space-battlesIndiemacpcsaleSTEAMThu, 21 Feb 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Gratuitous Space Battles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-gratuitous-space-battles/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-gratuitous-space-battles/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/13/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-gratuitous-space-battles/#comments Indie developers are the starving artists of the video-game world, often brilliant and innovative, but also misunderstood, underfunded and more prone to writing free-form poetry on their LiveJournals. We believe they deserve a wider audience with the Joystiq Indie Pitch: This week, English developer Chris Harris talks about the good ol' days of being indie and the continued success of Gratuitous Space Battles.

The Joystiq Indie Pitch Gratuitous Space Battles
What's your game called and what's it about?

Gratuitous Space Battles is a strategy/management game that plays in an unusual way. It's a "hands-off" battle simulator for giant space fleets, which puts the player in position of the designer of individual ships and entire fleets, and in control of the orders those ships will use during battle, but the actual battles themselves are out of your hands. You can watch your fleet fight, but cannot change anything mid-battle (although we have recently added direct control as an option).

The game is all about ship and fleet design, rather than arcade action, and plays more like a puzzle game or tower defense game than a conventional RTS.

Do you see yourself as part of a larger indie movement?

Kind of, although I am not a typical part of it. The indie scene seems to be younger, cooler and much more American than me. I find it weird that indie games are suddenly hip and cool, and acceptable to buy, and make millions of dollars, because this is a very recent thing, and there is no guarantee it will last.

When I started making indie games, there was no Steam, relatively few online stores and the majority of people were still buying CD-ROMs and downloading from sites like download.com. The scene has changed dramatically since then and I'm always slightly wary of the fact that it could change again. Some indie games now make tens of millions of dollars and that is definitely going to change things in the long term. How, I don't know.

Gallery: Gratuitous Space Battles

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Gratuitous Space Battles

JoystiqThe Joystiq Indie Pitch: Gratuitous Space Battles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cliff-harrisGratuitous-space-battlesjoystiq-indie-pitchmacpcWed, 13 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Indie Bundle 6 ends, earns over $2 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/humble-indie-bundle-6-ends-earns-over-2-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/humble-indie-bundle-6-ends-earns-over-2-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/humble-indie-bundle-6-ends-earns-over-2-million/#comments Humble Indie Bundle 6 ends, earns over $2 million316,258 individuals signed on for the latest Humble Indie Bundle, which is arguably the best Humble Indie Bundle yet. Humble Indie Bundle 6, which halted sales earlier this evening, managed to earn a total of $2,048,330.42 during the collection's sale.

Humble Indie Bundle 6 initially launched with the starting lineup of Rochard, Shatter, S.P.A.Z., Torchlight, Vessel and Dustforce. A week later, the bundle expanded to include Bit.Trip Runner, Wizorb, Jamestown and Gratuitous Space Battles for purchases equal or greater to the average sale price of the set. See? Best bundle yet!

JoystiqHumble Indie Bundle 6 ends, earns over $2 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bit-trip-runnerdustforcegratuitous-space-battleshumble-indie-bundlejamestownrochardshatterspaztorchlightvesselwizorbTue, 02 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Indie Bundle 6 adds Bit.Trip Runner, Wizorb, more goodness]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/humble-indie-bundle-6-adds-bit-trip-runner-wizorb-more-goodnes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/humble-indie-bundle-6-adds-bit-trip-runner-wizorb-more-goodnes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/25/humble-indie-bundle-6-adds-bit-trip-runner-wizorb-more-goodnes/#comments Humble Indie Bundle 6 adds BitTrip Runner, Wizorb, more goodnessHumble Indie Bundle 6 just added four new games to its already stellar lineup, available to those who pay more than the average (currently less than $6): Bit.Trip Runner, Wizorb, Jamestown and Gratuitous Space Battles. All four games are DRM-free, of course, and come packaged with soundtracks. They're redeemable via Steam or the Ubuntu Software Center.

These four join Rochard, Shatter, S.P.A.Z., Torchlight, Vessel and Dustforce, the last of which is unlockable by paying more than the average as well. With the new games, Humble Indie Bundle 6 is now worth $135, and as always, buyers can allocate how much of their purchase benefits charity, the developers or Humble Bundle itself. The sixth bundle will be available for seven more days, right here.

JoystiqHumble Indie Bundle 6 adds Bit.Trip Runner, Wizorb, more goodness originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bit-Trip-Runnerbit.trip-runnerGratuitous-space-battleshumble-indie-bundlehumble-indie-bundle-6jamestownmacpcwizorbTue, 25 Sep 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Indie Bundle 4 adds free soundtracks for every game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/humble-indie-bundle-4-adds-free-soundtracks-for-every-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/humble-indie-bundle-4-adds-free-soundtracks-for-every-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/humble-indie-bundle-4-adds-free-soundtracks-for-every-game/#comments Er, not every game ever -- that'd be impossible, you guys. We're talking soundtracks for every game in the fourth Humble Indie Bundle: Gratuitous Space Battles, Cave Story+, Jamestown, Bit.Trip Runner, Super Meat Boy, Shank and Nightsky HD.

The soundtracks are free to anyone who pays above the current average for the Bundle and, as usual, to anyone who's already purchased the bundle. You can snag them in mp3 format or, in the case of Super Meat Boy and Nightsky HD, also in FLAC.

JoystiqHumble Indie Bundle 4 adds free soundtracks for every game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bit-Trip-Runnercave-storyGratuitous-space-battleshumble-indie-bundlejamestownmacnightskypcshanksuper-meat-boyFri, 16 Dec 2011 22:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Sins of a Solar Empire for $4; Mass Effect and Dragon Age bundles part of Impulse sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/sins-of-a-solar-empire-for-4-mass-effect-and-dragon-age-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/sins-of-a-solar-empire-for-4-mass-effect-and-dragon-age-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/sins-of-a-solar-empire-for-4-mass-effect-and-dragon-age-bundle/#comments Impulse's Memorial Day sale this weekend has Sins of a Solar Empire at the heavenly price of $4. Go buy it now -- full stop. Whatever nit-picky issues the 4X strategy title may have can be thrown out an airlock at that price point. It may lack a single-player campaign to teach the ropes of glorious galactic armada warfare, but setting up a medium-sized map using normal AI is a good place to start. Which reminds us: Gratuitous Space Battles is also on sale.

Impulse also has a more mainstream space opera experience on sale with the first two chapters in the Mass Effect saga bundled for $42. Want something not involving spaceships? There's a Dragon Age: Origins bundle, which includes the original game and Awakening, for $48 -- that'll definitely keep you busy all weekend. Check out the rest of the Impulse weekend sales after the break.

Gallery: Sins of a Solar Empire

Continue reading Sins of a Solar Empire for $4; Mass Effect and Dragon Age bundles part of Impulse sale

JoystiqSins of a Solar Empire for $4; Mass Effect and Dragon Age bundles part of Impulse sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 May 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragon-age-originsdragon-age-origins-awakeningGratuitous-space-battlesimpulseIroncladIronclad-Studiosmass-effect-2RTSSinsSins-of-a-Solar-EmpirestardockStrategyFri, 28 May 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gratuitous Space Battles gets new expansion, trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/gratuitous-space-battles-gets-new-expansion-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/gratuitous-space-battles-gets-new-expansion-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/gratuitous-space-battles-gets-new-expansion-trailer/#comments A second expansion pack for Positech Games' Gratuitous Space Battles is on its way from one-man dev powerhouse Cliff Harris. "The Order" adds 11 ships along with a new species that shares the $5.99 expansion's name. The expansion also adds four new weapon types and two new scenarios (one on a normal map and another in the game's survival mode). Haven't seen the epic battles of GSB? Check out a new trailer featuring the expansion after the break.

[Via BigDownload]

Continue reading Gratuitous Space Battles gets new expansion, trailer

JoystiqGratuitous Space Battles gets new expansion, trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionGratuitous-space-battlespositech-gamesthe-orderSun, 28 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Impulse halving price on Trine, Gratuitous Space Battles this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/30/impulse-halving-price-on-trine-gratuitous-space-battles-this-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/30/impulse-halving-price-on-trine-gratuitous-space-battles-this-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/30/impulse-halving-price-on-trine-gratuitous-space-battles-this-we/#comments Between all of January's blockbuster releases, we're guessing you're already up to your neck in gaming opportunities this weekend. However, if you're looking to add a bit more slag to the top of the pile, digital retailer Impulse has cut the price of a few PC games for this weekend only. Until tomorrow, you can pick up fantasy-platformer Trine for $9.99, or the self-explanatory Gratuitous Space Battles for $11.49. There's a few other discounts currently running as well -- go check out Impulse for more delicious bargains.

JoystiqImpulse halving price on Trine, Gratuitous Space Battles this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionFrozenbyteGratuitous-space-battlesimpulsepositech-gamessalesalestrineSat, 30 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gratuitous beta access with Gratuitous Space Battles pre-order]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/gratuitous-beta-access-with-gratuitous-space-battles-pre-order/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/gratuitous-beta-access-with-gratuitous-space-battles-pre-order/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/gratuitous-beta-access-with-gratuitous-space-battles-pre-order/#comments
Those looking to try out -- nay, test -- Gratuitous Space Battles before the final game leaves space dock should note that developer Positech Games will be allowing pre-order customers into an online beta. Though we'd prefer to hold on to our $20 and wait for a demo, we're sure some have already been won over by the game's stellar video.

Spoiler alert: It contains gratuitous space battles.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqGratuitous beta access with Gratuitous Space Battles pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gratuitous-space-battlespositechpositech-gamesWed, 02 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch one frame of Gratuitous Space Battles being rendered]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/30/watch-one-frame-of-gratuitous-space-battles-being-rendered/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/30/watch-one-frame-of-gratuitous-space-battles-being-rendered/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/30/watch-one-frame-of-gratuitous-space-battles-being-rendered/#comments
Indie games developer Positech Games caught our attention again with more footage of its upcoming tower defense title Gratuitous Space Battles. In the latest video, Positech shows off the process of rendering a single frame in one of the game's marquee deep space standoffs. If you're a fan of tower defense titles -- or some kind of time-lapse photo enthusiast -- check out the clip after the break.

[Thanks, Cliff]

Continue reading Watch one frame of Gratuitous Space Battles being rendered

JoystiqWatch one frame of Gratuitous Space Battles being rendered originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gratuitous-space-battlesindiepositech-gamestime-lapsetower-defenseSun, 30 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gratuitous Space Battles is just that]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/gratuitous-space-battles-is-just-that/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/gratuitous-space-battles-is-just-that/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/07/gratuitous-space-battles-is-just-that/#comments
Indie games developer Positech Games has been quietly working on a tower defense game set in space, and has uploaded the first footage. Gratuitous Space Battles doesn't have any kind of tentative release date, and this video is more a brief demonstration of the game's goals, but we think it's kinda cool. And if that doesn't do it for you, squint hard and pretend you're watching Battlestar Galactica.

Head past the break for the footage.

[Via Offworld]

Continue reading Gratuitous Space Battles is just that

JoystiqGratuitous Space Battles is just that originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gratuitous-space-battlesindiepositech-gamesstrategytower-defenseTue, 07 Jul 2009 02:30:00 EST