Introversion, whose previous efforts include the excellent Darwinia and DEFCON, are currently developing Chronometer. The project, funded by broadcaster Channel 4, is nearing completion of the pre-production phase. Other than an anecdote about how it totally blew co-founder Mark Morris' mind, there are no details about the game.
"Ultimately we don't know for certain if Chronometer will be going into full production," writes Chris Delay, "the conditions would have to be right for Introversion and for Channel 4, although they've been fantastic to work with during pre-production." The studio is currently "all-hands-on-deck" finishing upMultiwinia, with Darwinia+ for Xbox Live and Subversion to follow after that.
Introversion devotees know exactly what Multiwinia is and why they should be excited, but many others might not remember the multiplayer update to award-winning strategy title Darwinia, due out this September. Both parties should check out Rock Paper Shotgun's extensive preview of Multiwinia, showing off just how hardcore the adorable little flat sprites can be.
Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest will feature the usual smattering of multiplayer modes, built upon the stellar gameplay and gorgeous aesthetic that made Darwiniaan instant Joystiq classic. Gameplay modes will include Darwiniantwists on deathmatch, king of the hill, capture the flag, territories, and a few more modes unique to the Darwinia universe. We can't wait to wage tiny, tiny war.
Acknowledging the game's "leak" by the ESRB, Introversion has confirmed that Darwinia+, a combination of Darwinia and the multiplayer variant Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest, is coming to Xbox Live this Fall. Introversion also provided reassureance that Multiwinia is coming to the PC.
No other details are given; if you have never played Darwinia, then we strongly suggest you to download the demo (available for Windows, Mac and Linux) and try it out. Here's hoping this starts a precedent and we can one day enjoy DEFCON and the upcoming Subversionon our platform of choice.
According to CVG, indie studio Introversion (Uplink, Darwinia) is looking for developers to help create a portable version of its "everybody dies" disaster game, DEFCON. With simple visuals, an emphasis on multiplayer carnage, and highly addictive gameplay, DEFCON is an ideal candidate for cell phones, the PSP, or DS. The project is still in very early stages, so no details or platforms have been announced.
Earlier we reported that Introversion co-founder Mark Morris was looking to bring a few games to the home console market via digital distribution. DEFCON on your computer, on your TV, and in your pocket? Time to take the "everybody dies" slogan a bit more literally.
Introversion has announced that award-winning game Darwinia is going multiplayer. Set for release as a standalone product, Multiwinia will let you play cooperatively or competitively with someone else. The number of people who can play together simultaneously is currently unknown, but we're hoping for for some pretty frantic action across many, many armies.
The game will be spearheaded by John Knottenbelt while Introversion co-founder Chris Delay "[begins] work on other new projects" (console titles? Subversion?). Knottenbelt mentions there will be graphical improvements from the game, though it's unclear if he's talking about the recent Vista upgrades or something beyond that, and a new formation mode, "which will let you organise your Darwinians into ranks to create massive armies."
Details are sparse currently, though Introversion is expected to make a few announcements at next week's Game Developers Conference. Multiwinia is being planned for a 2008 release.
Introvervision co-founder Mark Morris has told Next Generation that the company is looking into bringing a few of their titles to the home console front by way of digital distribution.
Morris explained that their relationship so far with the console makers has allowed them to retain intellectual freedom in their design. Unlike publishers who try to give them money at the cost of some control of the game, the console makers are "just offering massive distribution of the games and to give [us] a return back on that. That works for us," he said.
For what system and which titles is unknown -- all three of the current systems (PS3, Wii and Xbox 360) are capable of digital distribution. Morris said the game(s) would be available within the next twelve months. An earlier rumor from eight months ago suggest a partnership with Xbox Live, which makes since considering the recent Vista upgrade of Darwinia and the similarities in architecture from Windows to Xbox 360 development.
Introversion is responsible for Darwinia, DEFCON, and Uplink. They are currently working on a project codenamed Subversion.
Introversion, the little game maker whose project Darwinia garnered them cult status, has just released an enhanced version specifically for Windows Vista. The upgrade has been in the making since June 2006, according to Introversion co-founder Chris Delay. Upgrades include:
Shift from OpenGL to DirectX, which enable enhanced visuals such as "screen warping explosion effects, reflective water, and Darwinian soul 'auras.'"
Support for the Xbox 360 controller
Three new levels: Jailbreak, Stronghold and Doomsday
Other Vista-centric compatibility features
Those who already own Darwinia can expect an upcoming patch that adds all the enhancements. For those that want to try out the game (and we wholly recommend that you do), Darwinia has been given a prominent purchase location MSN Vista games page for $19.95.
Introversion is currently working on a double secret title codenamed Subversion.
In an update to the development diary, Introversion's Chris Delay discussed the use of procedural generation in the upcoming Subversion. Delay describes the tool as "utterly crucial to companies like Introversion and basically ignored by the bigger boys in favour of banks of expensive artists ... the secret weapon that most developers have yet to (re)discover." He provides preliminary work as to how cities will be created using procedural generation in both picture and video format.
Procedural content is a new buzzword in the developer world, whereby programmers use mathematical algorithms instead of artists to create aspects of their game. Games using this technique include .kkrieger, Roboblitz, and most notably Will Wright's upcoming Spore. The process, however, can be taxing on a CPU, but also tailored to the hardware so that the same code can create different levels of desired detail. Very little is known about the game other than it has been planned since before the company's acclaimed Darwinia and DEFCON. Delay notes that the lack of information is intentional so as to not build excessive hype.
Introversion, creator of indie darlings Darwiniaand DEFCON, have announced their next project will be called Subversion. Company co-founder Chris Delay made the announcement earlier last week, noting that the project is early in production and the development will be blogged.
Understanding that many developers fall into the trap where hype leads to disappointment, Delay assures that he will make no promises as to final features and game play details.
As another point, Delay points out that the attached images, including the one to the right, is not a representation of the game and anyone who treats the screenshots as such are mistaken. You've been warned.
In some leftover scuttlebutt from GDC, word on the street is that the bad boys from Introversion, the independent developers that created indie-darling (and Independent Games Festival winner) Darwinia are working with the big boys in Redmond to get their game on the Xbox Live Arcade platform. Reasons why this is a logical move and a likely rumor:
They've already gotten Darwinia on that other major digital distribution network (psst: it begins with "Stea" and ends with "m". Got it?)
Uh, they've said they're interested. We know, everyone's interested. Fellow Steam-distributed developers Ritual Entertainment keep screaming about it, but they've got that whole enormous download thing to deal with. The XBLArcade blog points us to this video (.wmv) of SpikeTV's GameHead where Introversion's Mark Morris says, "... it's about 30 megs which makes it perfect for things like Live Arcade." CliffyB asks if they're planning on it and Morris responds, "I'm gonna try. Gonna talk to Microsoft and see what they say."
XBLArcade correctly points out that if the developers of an award-winning and critically acclaimed independent game want to bring it to your platform, what do you say? Well, according to German blog Xbox Archiv, you say "Yes. Please." They claim to have overheard a conversation at GDC between the two parties.
Let's hope that logic wins the day and we get another stellar entrant to Microsoft's walled-garden of Arcade treats.
We're live at BlizzCon 2008: Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, WotLK and silly people in costumes galore!
Hands-on with the newly-unveiled Diablo 3 Wizard class!
Hands-on with the New Xbox Experience, launching November 19!
We're live at the Tokyo Game Show 2008, yatta!
Hide your wallets! New games this month: October Edition
Listen to the Joystiq podcast (because your ears can't read)
Posts with tag Introversion
Introversion has announced that award-winning game Darwinia is going multiplayer. Set for release as a standalone product, Multiwinia will let you play cooperatively or competitively with someone else. The number of people who can play together simultaneously is currently unknown, but we're hoping for for some pretty frantic action across many, many armies.
Introvervision co-founder Mark Morris has told Next Generation that the company is looking into bringing a few of their titles to the home console front by way of digital distribution.
Introversion, creator of indie darlings Darwinia and DEFCON, have announced their next project will be called Subversion. Company co-founder Chris Delay made the announcement earlier last week, noting that the project is early in production and the development will be blogged.
