Joystiq

Keita Takahashi and Journey producer Robin Hunicke working on new project

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:23:00 EST

During the E3 alternative Horizon conference, former Journey producer and now Funomena head Robin Hunicke announced a partnership with Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy creator Keita Takahashi.

Very little was revealed about the game, though Takahashi asked the audience to "imagine blocks coming to life." The idea came from playing with his son, said Takahashi. The game will be present at tonight's Horizon mixer, and we'll be on the scene.

Keita Takahashi and Journey producer Robin Hunicke working on new project originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Alphabet' made by Takahashi and Saltsman for LA Game Space backers

Mike Schramm — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:59:00 EST

Alphabet (written by its creators as A͈L͈P͈H͈A͈B͈E͈T͈) is a new game put together by Katamari Damacy's Keita Takahashi and Canabalt's Adam Saltsman. It was created for the bundle of indie games being given away to Kickstarter backers of the LA Game Space.

The mysterious Alphabet will be shown off later this week in Austin as part of "Juegos Rancheros," an event for the game development community. Also on display will be Takahashi's Tenya Wayna Teens, which involves two players - with sixteen buttons each - trying to avoid awkward social mishaps while trying to express teen love.

Alphabet, whatever it is, will be rewarded to backers as a playable game for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

'Alphabet' made by Takahashi and Saltsman for LA Game Space backers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Your first fleeting look at Keita Takahashi's 'Tenya Wanya Teens'

JC Fletcher — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:30:00 EST

No questions will be answered by the six seconds of Vined gameplay shown here, in which two people use their delightfully be-socked feet to play Keita Takahashi's Tenya Wanya Teens. There's a "Confess!" button, and kneeling, and part of it takes place in a bathroom, and ... we don't know.

Sure is cute, though! If anything, we're happy to be on the verge of discovering something weird and new.

Your first fleeting look at Keita Takahashi's 'Tenya Wanya Teens' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Katamari creator Takahashi meets the Tenya Wanya Teens

David Hinkle — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:45:00 EST

Tenya Wanya Teens is a new game from Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy creator Keita Takahashi and his wife Asuka Sakai. Their studio, Uvula, is creating Tenya Wanya Teens in collaboration with UK outfit Wild Rumpus and indie game site Venus Patrol, the latter which describes the game as "a coming-of-age tale about love, hygiene, monsters and finding discarded erotic magazines in the woods."

Tenya Wanya Teens was originally set to be unveiled during GDC, as a party game for two players using massive 16-button controllers. Game designer Robin Hunicke posted this image of the prototype controllers onto Instagram recently, and Wild Rumpus is currently working on the final controllers that will be unveiled alongside the game next week. Plans are also in motion for an actual release to the gaming public at large, ridiculous controller and all.

Katamari creator Takahashi meets the Tenya Wanya Teens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keita Takahashi unveiling new multiplayer game during GDC

David Hinkle — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:00:00 EST

Keita Takahashi, creator of the Katamari Damacy series and Noby Noby Boy, is currently working on a new multiplayer-focused game. Takahashi will unveil his new work during the joint Wild Rumpus/Venus Patrol party on March 27 during GDC in San Francisco.

Wild Rumpus and Venus Patrol both collaborated with Takahashi on the new project, and promise all parties involved will reveal more on the lead-up to GDC at the end of March. Takahashi's last collaboration was with Canabalt creator Adam Saltsman, late last year when the two contributed to the LA Game Space Kickstarter campaign.

Keita Takahashi unveiling new multiplayer game during GDC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Katamari and Canabalt creators make a game just for LA Game Space

Jessica Conditt — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:00:00 EST

LA Game Space has 10 days to reach its Kickstarter goal and is half way there, with $125,000 more to go. Today it's sweetening the deal for potential backers: Keita Takahashi, the creator of Katamari Damacy, and Adam Saltsman, the (running) man behind Canabalt, are teaming up to create a game just for people who back the project.

Anyone who pledges $5 or more to the LA Game Space Kickstarter will get Takahashi and Saltsman's game - whatever it turns out being - for PC, Mac or Linux. This is on top of the reward for pledges of $15 and more, which offers 30 new games from prominent indie developers such as Hotline Miami's Cactus, Steve Swink of Scale, Ben Esposito of Unfinished Swan, and Adventure Time's Pendleton Ward in collaboration with QWOP's Bennett Foddy, among others. Check out the entire list on on the Kickstarter's main page.

LA Game Space is looking to create a hub of game creation in Los Angeles, featuring development tools, pseudo classrooms, mentorship and networking opportunities, along with game development workshops streamed, for free, around the world. We interviewed co-founder Adam Robezzoli in a special episode of the Super Joystiq Podcast; give it a listen right here.

Katamari and Canabalt creators make a game just for LA Game Space originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Namco Bandai removing Noby Noby Boy from iOS App Store

Jordan Mallory — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 02:00:00 EST

The iOS version of Noby Noby Boy, which isn't so much a port of the PlayStation 3 original insomuch as a weird collection of Noby Noby Boy-based activities, is being removed from the App Store on Tuesday, October 9, according to creator Keita Takahashi's personal blog.

The $1.99 app is being removed by Namco Bandai itself (rather than, say, Apple) for unknown reasons - though the app's Facebook integration and cumulative point goals haven't been functioning properly for a few months, which may have something to do with it. No announcements were made regarding the cancellation of any other Noby-related services, such as the PS3 version's worldwide goal of having GIRL reach the edge of the solar system.

"Thank you for playing this silly app," says Takahashi. Anyone interested in grabbing Noby Noby Boy for their iDevice of choice before it disappears can do so here.

Namco Bandai removing Noby Noby Boy from iOS App Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tiny Speck's 'Glitch' MMO launches today [update]

JC Fletcher — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST

Update: if you're having trouble getting in (it's open to all, but there might be a wait), Tiny Speck has set up a "fast pass" site for Joystiq readers here.

Glitch, the cute browser MMO set inside the minds of giant monsters, is officially opening up to the public today at 10AM PDT after a long beta period. The game is the work of Tiny Speck, a new company formed by Stewart Butterfield, Cal Henderson, Eric Costello, and Serguei Mourachov, four co-founders of Flickr. It's a free-to-play game with subscription and virtual currency options, both used for avatar customization items.

Speaking to me in a phone interview yesterday, Butterfield claimed that the game is playable in a casual style, but also accommodates players interested in a more intense experience. "We wanted to have enough depth to capture the imaginations of people who want to go deep," he said. "There are 1000-plus items and 90 skills."

Glitch has potential for emergent gameplay, which he compared to Eve Online, though he was quick to note that it's not as combat-oriented as Eve and more fun to actually play. For example, he related an anecdote from the beta, about players creatively using a "notes" system. "Early on, some of the richer players started a bank, with an alternative currency that was based on notes," Butterfield said. "They just guaranteed the notes with their supply of in-game currency based on the timestamp and the person who created it."

Continue reading Tiny Speck's 'Glitch' MMO launches today [update]

Tiny Speck's 'Glitch' MMO launches today [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keita Takahashi joins Tiny Speck, working on 'Glitch' MMO

JC Fletcher — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:25:00 EST

Keita Takahashi has stretched the Boy in his iPhone Noby Noby Boy app all the way from Tokyo to Vancouver, as developer Tiny Speck announces that the Katamari Damacy creator has moved there to join the team working on Glitch. What's that feeling? Yes, many of you are now contemplating playing an MMO for the first time.

Glitch, in case you don't remember, is the cute side-scrolling MMO about occupying the imaginations of eleven giants with multifarious googly eyes, created by a team put together by Flickr co-founder Stewart Butterfield. "A few months ago we were lucky enough to start talking to [Takahashi]," Butterfield said on the game's blog. "We played some Glitch together, batted ideas back and forth and found that we shared the same values - deep beliefs in curiosity, humor, absurdity, and above all a belief in the positive power of play." As a result of this summit, Takahashi joined Tiny Speck in an unspecified capacity.

In addition to this new role, Takahashi's company Uvula appears to still be active, mostly in creating artwork for other media. Glitch is currently in beta, and expected to launch this summer.

Continue reading Keita Takahashi joins Tiny Speck, working on 'Glitch' MMO

Keita Takahashi joins Tiny Speck, working on 'Glitch' MMO originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keita Takahashi still working on games post-Namco

JC Fletcher — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:05:00 EST

During last week's GameCity conference, Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi explained his departure from Namco Bandai in an interview with Eurogamer. "The games I was making were not necessarily the best-selling ones," he said. "I realized Namco was, as a business, going down a bit. Also, my colleagues were leaving to do another project. I started to feel like I didn't belong there any more."

On the subject of why his own games didn't sell better: "Maybe because they're not so interesting," Takahashi said. "The reason why is one of the things I'm trying to find out. If I knew, I wouldn't struggle. I don't know." Personally, we hope he never learns the secrets to game industry success (like Unreal Engine and Nolan North). He opined that the constant development of sequels by major publishers is "boring," while also admitting that he understood the business perspective. "I haven't seen anyone trying to make something really new out of the profit they made from those sequels," he said.

Since leaving, Takahashi and his wife have formed a new company, Uvula. He's also working on a playground in Nottingham, the town that hosts GameCity. "I'm going to work on more videogames," Takahashi said, including ideas to present to other publishers. "In general, I want to work on lots of different things that I couldn't work on when I was at Namco."

Keita Takahashi still working on games post-Namco originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Katamari Damacy director and wife reveal new company

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST

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

Katamari Damacy director Keita Takahashi and wife Asuka Sakai officially unveiled their new company, named "Uvula," with a low-key website. Rather than focusing solely on game development, the company's "About Us" page details a focus on "music and video games," adding that "we want to widen the our [sic] limit." Oddly, Uvula's first project falls outside of the realm of music and video games, with Takahashi designing a playground in the UK.

In typical Takahashi fashion, the company's website contains an "Others" page filled with, well ... other, often bizarre stuff that he created over the years (our fave was the hippo tissue holder seen above). Sure, the announcement of the new business is exciting and all, but, um, have you seen this goat flower box? Remarkable.

Katamari Damacy director and wife reveal new company originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi leaves Namco

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:15:00 EST

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

King of all kings of the cosmos -- Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy creator Keita Takahashi -- is leaving Namco, reports Play.tm. A Namco representative confirmed Takahashi's resignation.

The developer expressed his dissatisfaction in the past with developing for the Japanese publisher, even saying he was disappointed with the support he received for Noby Noby Boy. He's also expressed interest in branching out to other careers, telling the BBC in 2005, "In 10 years time, I am not going to be making games any more." More recently, he got to work on plans for a playground in Nottingham, UK.

[Image credit: jontintinjordan]

Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi leaves Namco originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Noby Noby Boy available now for 'iPhone, iPhone, iPod Touch!'

Christopher Grant — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST

We want to be up front with you: We're not entirely sure Noby Noby Boy is a "game" in the usual way we understand it. No, we're not talking about last year's PS3 release (though one could argue ...); instead, we're talking about today's iPhone release.

Let's examine the evidence: The trailer, included after the break, eschews traditional marketing tactics in favor of puppets and nonsensical dialogue. The screenshots depict a series of seemingly unrelated "functions" (minigames?) including a camera app, a map app, a stretchable Boy app, and others. And our final piece of evidence, Noby Noby Boy is filed under "Productivity" in the App Store and, regardless of its status as a "game" we're almost certain it's not going to make us more productive at anything, short of unlocking its mysteries.

While we think calling it a "game" may be a bit of a stretch, as a toy, it's now got a better price on a more appropriate platform.

Noby Noby Boy ($1.99):

Gallery: Noby Noby Boy (iPhone)

Continue reading Noby Noby Boy available now for 'iPhone, iPhone, iPod Touch!'

Noby Noby Boy available now for 'iPhone, iPhone, iPod Touch!' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone Noby Noby Boy demonstrated by puppets

JC Fletcher — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

Most publishers make dramatic trailers for their games, with carefully chosen game footage augmented by thrilling cinematics. Namco Bandai did not do that for the iPhone Noby Noby Boy game. Instead, creator Keita Takahashi put on a puppet show in a conference room.

Using adorable handmade puppets, Takahashi provided the clearest look yet at the mobile version, including the stretchable Boy, several minigames and a camera app in which ... some cartoon guy hangs onto your photo.

We like this approach to trailers. "iPhone, iPhone, iPod Touch!" See the rest of the videos at Famitsu.

iPhone Noby Noby Boy demonstrated by puppets originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keita Takahashi 'not completely satisfied' with Noby Noby Boy, blames budget

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:30:00 EST

Was Noby Noby Boy misunderstood by the gaming masses? Creator Keita Takahashi seems to think so, as he believes the game's limited resources didn't fully realize his vision. "Ultimately, with Noby Noby Boy, I wanted to break the barriers between toy and game," Takahashi explained to Develop. "But for me personally, a bit more could have been done to the game. I'm not completely satisfied with the game, in terms of quality, due to the restrictions on budgets."

Takahashi, famous for his work on the original Katamari Damacy, has been surprisingly forthcoming on Noby's budget (or lack thereof). Had Takahashi been given additional resources he believes the game would have reached a much larger audience. "I won't go in to what I wanted to add to the game, because that's a really long list of things, but as an overall assessment, I think the game could have been much more detailed and easier for everyone to understand."

It appears Noby's shortcomings won't stop Takahashi from working on an even crazier design. Already, he's thinking of a new project, one that "is even harder to explain than Noby Noby Boy." Fans of Takahashi's works wouldn't want it any other way -- but we wonder if publisher Namco Bandai will embrace an even more experimental game.

Keita Takahashi 'not completely satisfied' with Noby Noby Boy, blames budget originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First look at Noby Noby Boy stuffed into an iPhone

JC Fletcher — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:50:00 EST

Namco Bandai revealed the first screen of the iPhone Noby Noby Boy game to GAME Watch today, which can be seen here. As you may expect from a Keita Takahashi product, we can't really figure anything out about it based on this one screen, except that it's got BOY in it, and there's a display at the top of BOY's length. The game is currently 60% done, and has no announced release date yet.

People still playing the PS3 game may not even care what the iPhone version is, as long as it helps them add all-important centimeters to GIRL. Also, the fact that it "might be like free" will no doubt influence people to pick it up regardless of whatever actually happens. At the very least, it already looks neat. Of course, this screen could be a trick, like this early trailer for the PS3 game.

First look at Noby Noby Boy stuffed into an iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Takahashi: Noby Noby iPhone is 'bait' for increased PS3 budget

JC Fletcher — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST

We almost don't want to summarize this Eurogamer interview with Noby Noby Boy creator Keita Takahashi, and instead just tell you to go read the whole thing. Takahashi's disregard for video game convention and complete openness always make for an entertaining read. There are a few items of note that are worth pulling out, which are worthwhile even out of the context of "weird stuff Keita Takahashi said."

For example, he reveals that Trophies won't be included in the new multiplayer update. "As this a free update, we can't add any." He also classifies the upcoming iPhone version of Noby Noby Boy as "bait:"

"We used too much time and money to develop Noby Noby Boy, and there won't be any major updates in the future. However, I am trying to use the iPhone version in order to get more money from our top executives in order to keep updating the PS3 version."

He hopes that the iPhone and PS3 versions will help GIRL grow faster, but Takahashi doesn't think he made her progress too slow. He told Eurogamer, "I don't think it is right to put an ending just for the sake of it. I believe that it is alright to create a stupid and irresponsible game, I really do."

Takahashi: Noby Noby iPhone is 'bait' for increased PS3 budget originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eat your friend's butt in Noby Noby Boy multiplayer mode

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:25:00 EST

Think you're done with Keita Takahashi's Noby Noby Boy? Nope, there's still more to come. The upcoming multiplayer patch for the PSN sandbox "toy" will allow players to control their own stretchy BOYs. However, if one BOY eats another, you'll get a combined BOY where one player controls the head and the other controls the poo-poo side. The PlayStation Blog mentions four-player support, but Takahashi admits that the experience may be quite "chaotic." We're not sure how four-player support will be implemented, but we're certain Takahashi's team will figure it out ... even without the help of drugs.

Eat your friend's butt in Noby Noby Boy multiplayer mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keita Takahashi not involved with Katamari Damacy Tribute

JC Fletcher — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST

We didn't think that Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi had returned for the PlayStation 3's Katamari Damacy Tribute after sitting out Me and My Katamari and Beautiful Katamari -- though there was a vague hope in the back of our mind. Having the eccentric Takahashi at the helm would immediately transform the game from a sad exploitation of a dead franchise to MUST BUY NOW.

Namco Bandai officially confirmed our suspicions, telling Eurogamer that Takahashi has not returned to the franchise for the new 1080p installment. However, the company said that the game is "in good hands," even if those hands aren't inside a Noby Noby Boy scarf.

Keita Takahashi not involved with Katamari Damacy Tribute originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Overheard@GDC09: Design is Takahashi's anti-drug

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:00:00 EST

Although it's hard to believe that the ideas for Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy weren't birthed from some serious drug use, Keita Takahashi stated at GDC that he's completely straight-edge when it comes to partaking in the chemical vices of man. In the same session where he revealed Noby Noby Boy for iPhone, he also claimed, "I don't use drugs at all, I don't drink at all. Please don't worry about me."

Hmmmmmmm .... okay.

Overheard@GDC09: Design is Takahashi's anti-drug originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC09: Noby Noby Boy stretching to iPhone

JC Fletcher — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:55:00 EST

During Keita Takahashi's adorably quirky GDC panel, the Katamari Damacy creator revealed an upcoming iPhone version of the currently PSN-only Noby Noby Boy. It's good news for Noby fans, even those without iPhones: the iPhone game will interface with the PlayStation 3 version to help contribute to the ongoing growth of Girl into the entirety of the solar system -- a task that, according to Takahashi, would take 820 years at the current rate.

As for price and release date: "In terms of iPhone, we just started doing this a week ago. Price-wise might be like free."

GDC09: Noby Noby Boy stretching to iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Katamari Damacy Tribute coming to PS3

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:20:00 EST

Did Noby Noby Boy whet your appetite for more quirky Japanese magic? Keita Takahashi's original ball-rolling creation is returning in a brand new PS3 game, Katamari Damacy Tribute. According to Siliconera, the new title will be presented in full 1080p HD and will feature a "new visual presentation." The soundtrack features remixes from previous titles, which in conjunction with the title, suggests the Tribute may be a hodgepodge of previous games in the series.

Stay tuned for more details.

Katamari Damacy Tribute coming to PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Noby Noby Boy to have 'big update' two months after release

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:15:00 EST

The oh-so-curious Noby Noby Boy releases this week on the PlayStation Store. For $5, even those that are hesitant may want to pick up this rather unique (and experimental) game from the creator of Katamari Damacy. Should the quirky game find an audience, Namco Bandai will allow Keita Takahashi to continue developing the world he's created. "I want many people to play the game. Please allow me to keep updating the game!"

The first planned DLC should arrive approximately two months after the game's release. What it will entail, we're not exactly sure. To find out more about the (lack of) objectives in Noby Noby Boy, read Eurogamer's excellent interview.

Noby Noby Boy to have 'big update' two months after release originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three videos of Noby Noby Boy in action

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:50:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3

We're very happy for all those who understand what's going on in the three Noby Noby Boy gameplay videos we've placed after the break. We'll just smile and nod politely as you write in the comments about the innovative mechanics and explain how the game is a satire of 17th century French society.

In fairness, Keita Takahashi took a simple idea and made it work before with Katamari Damacy, so we'll just have to wait for more videos to make sense of what we're looking at. Those prepared for weird, check out the videos by hitting the big blue pill link below.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Continue reading Three videos of Noby Noby Boy in action

Three videos of Noby Noby Boy in action originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Noby Noby Boy coming to PSN 'early 2009'

Ludwig Kietzmann — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3

Namco Bandai has sent us a delightfully colorful press release, announcing its intentions to release Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi's latest game, Noby Noby Boy, on the PlayStation Network sometime in "early 2009." As an eager and gluttonous worm ... thing, it's your objective in Noby Noby Boy to devour objects throughout the world and stretch your body to unprecedented lengths. It seems your growing gut can interact with other objects, so you'd best beware of becoming entangled in someone's house. Oh, the embarrassment!

Though no exact price nor launch date has been given for the US, Japan is set to receive the stretchy smiler on January 29th for ¥800 ($8.78).

Gallery: Noby Noby Boy

Noby Noby Boy coming to PSN 'early 2009' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Noby Noby Boy release date, price & details revealed

Majed Athab — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

The new game from the creator of Katamari Damacy, Keita Takahashi, is so close to release. In fact it's only a month and a half away from its Japanese PS Store debut on January 29. After a year-long silence for Noby Noby Boy, we're finally actually learning something substantial about the title other than it being obviously colorful and strange.

The basic controls utilizes the PS3's dual analog sticks to bend and twist the worm-like character you control who's called BOY. The aim seems to revolve around making reports to another character named GIRL. Making better reports causes her to stretch longer allowing her to reach (unlock) new stages such as the Moon, Mars or even Jupiter. As noted by 1UP who went hands-on with the title, it's a rather bizarre explanation to listen to but that's what you can expect. "Noby Noby Boy has stages, characters, and objects to interact with, but it's up to the player to decide how to have fun with them, resulting in something closer to a literal "sandbox" than the kind of game that word usually describes ... it's less of a game, and more of a playground."

Rather interesting, no? It might be even more so knowing that Japan might not be the only ones getting the title this January. 1UP also reports in their hands-on that Namco is planning on releasing the game simultaneously worldwide. Hopefully we'll also get that sweet-spot pricing of ¥800 ($8.78). One last thing, make sure to check out the new images we've been given in our gallery below.

Source 1 - Famitsu
Source 2 - 1UP

Noby Noby Boy release date, price & details revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Noby Noby Boy is a PSN title

Majed Athab — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Click for high-res Noby Noby

Noby Noby Boy (notice the subtle spelling change?) was at the Tokyo Game Show last week via an all-new trailer (posted after the break); however, we still weren't given a clear idea on what the game was all about. In fact, the teaser trailer only made things seem slightly more confusing than previously. Exactly what is Katamari creator Keita Takahashi doing with this PS3 exclusive? We've been wondering that for an entire year now.

While the trailer didn't give us much to work with, we still were able to get an NNB news bite to surface elsewhere. We refer to Sony's TGS press website listing Takahashi's new title as a downloadable PSN title. This may not come out as much of a surprise, judging from what little we've seen of NNB thus far -- which has been comprised mostly of simple designs. Takahashi's new IP sure does look interesting, but we're wondering why is it taking the game so long to actually reveal itself.

Continue reading Noby Noby Boy is a PSN title

Noby Noby Boy is a PSN title originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Katamari creator's Nobi Nobi Boy coming to TGS 2008

Ross Miller — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3

Two things surprise us about Namco Bandai's announced Tokyo Game Show lineup: the complete dearth of Katamari titles and, coincidentally, the inclusion of Katamari creator Keita Takahashi's Nobi Nobi Boy for PlayStation 3, a title we haven't heard about since October 2007. According to the publisher (via Siliconera), the game (the title literally translates to "Stretch Stretch Boy") will be shown in video form only, a bit surprising considering the playable prototype that appeared last year at GameCity.

Namco Bandai's lineup includes 29 titles, including Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm and the multiplatform Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2. Interestingly, the publisher is also showing off four PlayStation 2 titles, edging out Sony's support of PS2 at this TGS by a margin of 4 to 0.

Katamari creator's Nobi Nobi Boy coming to TGS 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Goodbye, Katamari?

Dan Choi — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 23:17:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Action, Business

If Namco's Japanese web site is to be believed, yesterday marked the end of the road for the King of All Cosmos and Katamari Damacy.

As noted earlier this week, the official Katamari web site was counting down until its online closing on the 17th. Unfortunately, the site now tells us that "the team behind both the original game and its sequel, We Love Katamari, has dissolved, and that no sequels have been planned" (according to Gamasutra).

Not all is lost, however, as Professor Katamari (a likely reference to series creator Keita Takahashi) "is currently working on a new game design" with a new team where you unfortunately do not roll things up nor "get bigger." Me and My Katamari for the PSP would appear to be the final version of the game to appear at this point, though we hold out a faint hope that a fantastically rendered "clump of souls" will eventually find its way to next-generation consoles. Until then, catch you later, Prince.

[Via Slashdot]

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Goodbye, Katamari? originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Mar 2006 23:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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