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[Indie, but not alone: How Vlambeer's advice helped guide Dog Sled Saga]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/indie-not-alone-vlambeers-advice-helped-dog-sled-saga/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/indie-not-alone-vlambeers-advice-helped-dog-sled-saga/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/indie-not-alone-vlambeers-advice-helped-dog-sled-saga/#comments
Indie, but not alone How Vlambeer's advice helped guide Dog Sled Saga
The idea hit Dan FitzGerald in the shower last December: What about a dog sledding game? The Chicago native had been toying around with various prototypes based around a lobbing mechanic, but nothing stuck quite like this. Ideas started pouring in, and he enlisted his girlfriend of three years, Lisa Bromiel, to work on the art and help shape the exciting nugget of an idea into a fully realized video game - a concept that evolved into Dog Sled Saga.

It was the first time either had embarked on anything quite like it. FitzGerald studied communications in college, and had spent time doing contract video production (including trailers for other video games) and web design in an effort to get deeper into the gaming scene. Bromiel, meanwhile, is a trained artist with a focus on material art, though she hadn't consistently worked in digital illustration. As confident as they were about seeing the concept through to completion, they didn't have much insight as to going from making an original game to actually presenting it as a purchasable product. Well, at least until Rami Ismail came to town.

Ismail, the business and development half of Dutch indie studio Vlambeer (Super Crate Box, Luftrausers), stopped in Chicago in February to give a talk as part of DePaul University's Visiting Artists Series. FitzGerald and Bromiel attended, expecting to hear anecdotes about creating their beloved games, or the painful cloning saga that marked the development of Ridiculous Fishing.

Instead they got a real lesson - Indie Game Business 101, if you will - defined by the lecture's catchy three-word title: "Monetize That Shit."

Continue reading Indie, but not alone: How Vlambeer's advice helped guide Dog Sled Saga

JoystiqIndie, but not alone: How Vlambeer's advice helped guide Dog Sled Saga originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 May 2013 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidChicago-Game-SceneDan-FitzGeraldDog-Sled-SagaDog-SleddingIndieiosipadiphoneKickstarterLisa-BromielmacmobilepcFri, 24 May 2013 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Pixel Press coming to Android, pending Kickstarter success]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/pixel-press-coming-to-android-pending-kickstarter-success/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/pixel-press-coming-to-android-pending-kickstarter-success/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/pixel-press-coming-to-android-pending-kickstarter-success/#comments
In a recent Kickstarter update, developer Roundthird announced that its draw-your-own-game app Pixel Press will launch for both Android and iOS devices, once its funding goal of $100,000 is met.

Originally announced as an iOS exclusive, Pixel Press will now debut for Android in 2014 if funding succeeds. Roundthird will ramp up production for a simultaneous iOS and Android launch in December of this year if funding reaches a newly announced stretch goal of $125,000.

To create platforming challenges within Pixel Press, players start by drawing level layouts on printable graph paper. These layouts can then be imported and made playable by uploading a photo of the finished design. The app is aimed at students wishing to enter game development; a $40 "teacher package" reward tier includes multiple copies of Pixel Press and access to online educational resources.

Currently, Pixel Press backers have pledged over $33,000, as 21 days remain in Roundthird's funding campaign.

JoystiqPixel Press coming to Android, pending Kickstarter success originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonekickstartermobilepixel-pressThu, 23 May 2013 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A.N.N.E. Kickstarter concludes at over $100,000]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-n-n-e-kickstarter-concludes-at-over-100-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-n-n-e-kickstarter-concludes-at-over-100-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-n-n-e-kickstarter-concludes-at-over-100-000/#comments
After clearing its $70,000 goal more than a week in advance, the A.N.N.E. Kickstarter has concluded at $100,272. The total is enough to unlock three of ANNE's stretch goals, namely Mac & Linux versions, gender swap mode and achievements, and New Game+. While stretch goals for Ouya, PSN/Vita and Wii U versions were not met, creator Moise "Mo" Breton promised in a previous update that these versions will still be made, though it will take longer.

Mo, whom we interviewed back in April, also posted an inspirational thank you video on YouTube, which retells the whole experience and, more importantly, heavily features his adorable children. "From now on, it's all about making the game," said Mo, thanking supporters for allowing him to develop full-time. He is planning to make monthly updates throughout development. ANNE is planned to launch in early to mid 2014.

JoystiqA.N.N.E. Kickstarter concludes at over $100,000 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annegamesbymokickstartermacpcWed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Heavy Gear Assault kicks off its crowdfunding campaign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/heavy-gear-assault-kicks-off-its-crowdfunding-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/heavy-gear-assault-kicks-off-its-crowdfunding-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/heavy-gear-assault-kicks-off-its-crowdfunding-campaign/#comments
Stompy Bot Productions and Mektek Studios have launched their Kickstarter project for Heavy Gear Assault, the return of the mech combat game originally introduced by Dream Pod 9, with later games published by Activision.

The multiplayer e-sports-focused, Unreal Engine 4-powered game is in development for PC and will be free-to-play with premium subscriptions options available for players. The development team is seeking $800,000 by June 29, with a dozen stretch goals already planned for the funding project.

JoystiqHeavy Gear Assault kicks off its crowdfunding campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundinge-sportsfree-to-playheavy-gearheavy-gear-assaultkickstartermechmektek-studiospcstompy-bot-productionsWed, 22 May 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Syndicate Wars inspires 5 Lives Studios to get a Kickstarter in June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/syndicate-wars-inspires-5-lives-studios-to-get-a-kickstarter-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/syndicate-wars-inspires-5-lives-studios-to-get-a-kickstarter-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/syndicate-wars-inspires-5-lives-studios-to-get-a-kickstarter-in/#comments

Five Lives Studios is teasing a Kickstarter project for something called Satellite Reign - and all signs point to a game inspired by Syndicate Wars. The Kickstarter is scheduled for June, with a countdown on the Satellite Reign site.

The teaser video reads, "In 1996, this man -" referring to Syndicate Wars lead Mike Diskett, it would seem "- created a Bullfrog masterpiece. In 2013, with your help, we will redefine the genre."

The original Syndicate Wars launched for the PlayStation and DOS in October 1996 as a real-time tactics game. Syndicate got an FPS reboot from Starbreeze Studios and EA in February 2012.

JoystiqSyndicate Wars inspires 5 Lives Studios to get a Kickstarter in June originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-lives-studioskickstartermike-diskettrebootsatellite-reignsyndicatesyndicate-warsMon, 20 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Among the Sleep Kickstarter ends nearly $50k beyond its target]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/among-the-sleep-kickstarter-ends-nearly-50k-beyond-its-target/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/among-the-sleep-kickstarter-ends-nearly-50k-beyond-its-target/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/among-the-sleep-kickstarter-ends-nearly-50k-beyond-its-target/#comments Krillbite Studio's first-person baby simulator/horror game Among the Sleep has completed its 30-day Kickstarter campaign, raising a grand total of $248,358 from 8,110 backers - nearly $50,000 more than the $200,000 fundraising goal originally set.

All that extra cash will be put towards buying ice cream, Oculus Rift compatibility and a developer commentary track, though the campaign's bonus earnings didn't extend far enough for the "supersecret free DLC" stretch goal to be funded. Among the Sleep is expected to launch on PC, OSX and Linux during the fourth quarter of this year, but intrigued folks can go ahead and check out the game's public alpha.

JoystiqAmong the Sleep Kickstarter ends nearly $50k beyond its target originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>among-the-sleepkickstarterkrillbite-studiolinuxmacpcsuccessSat, 18 May 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[David Jaffe consulting on Autoduel, multiplayer car combat game coming to Kickstarter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/david-jaffe-consulting-on-autoduel-multiplayer-car-combat-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/david-jaffe-consulting-on-autoduel-multiplayer-car-combat-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/david-jaffe-consulting-on-autoduel-multiplayer-car-combat-game/#comments Noted Twisted Metal and God of War designer David Jaffe has signed on with Pixelbionic, a new independent games studio formed in southern California late last year. Jaffe will take a creative advisory role to aid in Pixelbionic's first game, Autoduel - an online vehicular combat game for the PC that will seek funding on Kickstarter sometime soon.

On the advisory board, Jaffe is joined by Zack Norman, the creator of Interstate '76, and Chanel Summers, a sound expert who helped design the audio systems of the Xbox hardware. There isn't much detail in the press release past the break about Autoduel itself, other than it's a team-based affair set in the post-apocalypse (of course) with "RPG-influenced persistence and progression gameplay."

Pixelbionic was founded by Maxx Kaufman - a founding member of inXile Entertainment with a long list of games to his name such as The Bard's Tale, Return to Castle Wolfenstein and the Redneck Rampage series - and Mike Arkin, who served as producer for many studios, including a stint at Fox Interactive where he helped on Die Hard Trilogy, ID4 and Aliens vs. Predator.

Gallery: Autoduel

Continue reading David Jaffe consulting on Autoduel, multiplayer car combat game coming to Kickstarter

JoystiqDavid Jaffe consulting on Autoduel, multiplayer car combat game coming to Kickstarter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autodueldavid-jaffekickstartermaxx-kaufmanmike-arkinpcpixelbioniczack-normanThu, 16 May 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Among The Sleep clears Kickstarter goal with three days to go]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/among-the-sleep-clears-kickstarter-goal-with-three-days-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/among-the-sleep-clears-kickstarter-goal-with-three-days-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/among-the-sleep-clears-kickstarter-goal-with-three-days-to-go/#commentsAmong The Sleep clears Kickstarter goal Psychological horror Among the Sleep achieved its $200,000 Kickstarter goal this morning. That means the happy, innocent-looking faces of Krillbite Studio can endeavor to provide us with nightmares when the game hit PC, Mac, Linux, and Oculus Rift in Q4 this year.

While Among the Sleep was already close to its Kickstarter goal, we suspect some of Krillbite's cheer comes from the validation of doing so after releasing the playable alpha yesterday. That's still available for free on the game's Kickstarter page, if you'd like to experience how the game leverages its scares from a two-year-old's perspective. You can also read Richard's thoughts on a demo which made him "love a teddy bear within the span of a half-hour."

Among the Sleep has already cleared its first stretch goal: $200,030 got bought ice creams for each member of the team - which might also explain those happy faces. With three days to go, Krillbite only has two other stretch goals currently listed, with $225K allowing the team to optimize Oculus Rift support, and $230K unlocking in-game commentary.

JoystiqAmong The Sleep clears Kickstarter goal with three days to go originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>among-the-sleepkickstarterkrillbite-studiolinuxmacoculus-riiftoculusriftpcWed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasm Kickstarter concludes with $191,000 pledged, pre-orders open]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/chasm-kickstarter-concludes-with-191-000-pledged-pre-orders-op/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/chasm-kickstarter-concludes-with-191-000-pledged-pre-orders-op/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/chasm-kickstarter-concludes-with-191-000-pledged-pre-orders-op/#commentsChasm Kickstarter concludes with $191,000 pledged, preorders open Chasm, the 2D action RPG with a Metroid soul, has handily destroyed its funding goal on Kickstarter. After reaching its funding goal of $150,000 five days early last week, the Chasm Kickstarter closed over the weekend with $191,897 pledged from nearly 7,000 backers. Developer Discord Games thank all of its backers for their "amazing and truly inspiring support."

Since reaching the goal last week, the developer also began taking pre-orders for Chasm via the Humble Store. Even though the funding drive is over, pre-orders will continue to apply toward the game's stretch goals, the next one being arena mode at $200,000.

JoystiqChasm Kickstarter concludes with $191,000 pledged, pre-orders open originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chasmdiscord-gameskickstartermacpcTue, 14 May 2013 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadow of the Eternals gets a secondary Kickstarter campaign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/shadow-of-the-eternals-gets-a-secondary-kickstarter-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/shadow-of-the-eternals-gets-a-secondary-kickstarter-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/shadow-of-the-eternals-gets-a-secondary-kickstarter-campaign/#commentsShadow of the Eternals gets a secondary Kickstarter campaign Precursor Games has launched a second, simultaneous crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for Shadow of the Eternals, the episodic horror game serving as a spiritual successor to Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem. This is a supplement to the crowdfunding project that Precursor launched on its own site on May 6. The Kickstarter campaign looks to raise $1.35 million, while Precursor's campaign asks for $1.5 million.

"Due to overwhelming popular demand, we are happy to announce that an official Kickstarter campaign has launched for Shadow of the Eternals," Precursor says. "This gives potential pledgers even more options to contribute to the game."

Precursor's campaign accepts payments through PayPal - unlike Kickstarter - and doesn't necessarily have to reach its goal to take whatever money it raises. That campaign has 24 days remaining and has raised $156,000. The Kickstarter campaign has 36 days to reach its goal, otherwise Precursor won't receive any of that money.

Precursor will use the money raised in its crowdfunding efforts to launch a pilot episode in Q3 2014, and pay for the engine and core system development. Future episodes of Shadow of the Eternals - there will be 12 in total - will be "significantly cheaper and faster to produce," and Precursor will announce more episodes based on the success of its fundraising(s).

JoystiqShadow of the Eternals gets a secondary Kickstarter campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundingeternal-darknessfundraisingkickstarterpcPrecursor-Gamesshadow-of-the-eternalsMon, 13 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Among the Sleep free public alpha coming tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/among-the-sleep-free-public-alpha-coming-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/among-the-sleep-free-public-alpha-coming-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/among-the-sleep-free-public-alpha-coming-tomorrow/#comments Everyone can freak out at Among the Sleep as of tomorrow, when developer Krillbite releases an alpha build of the indie horror game for free. Krillbite told Polygon it's delivering the free version via its Kickstarter page, freely available for all.

Among the Sleep places you in the eyes of a two-year-old, and significantly at the eye level of a two-year-old, experiencing the daunting scale of the world around you. If it's funded on Kickstarter - with five days to go it's at around $180,000 of its $200,000 goal - it'll chill the spines of PC, Mac, Linux, and Oculus Rift (see for yourself) in Q4 this year,

JoystiqAmong the Sleep free public alpha coming tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>among-the-sleepkickstarterkrillbite-studiolinuxmacoculus-riftpcMon, 13 May 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[C-Wars Kickstarter ends with over $95K raised, heading to Wii U, iOS and Vita]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/c-wars-kickstarter-ends-with-over-95k-raised-heading-to-wii-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/c-wars-kickstarter-ends-with-over-95k-raised-heading-to-wii-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/c-wars-kickstarter-ends-with-over-95k-raised-heading-to-wii-u/#comments C-Wars, the cyberpunk roguelike RTS by Beijing developer OniPunks Studio, raised a total of $95,574 in its Kickstarter campaign, which ended Saturday. That's $63,574 more than its initial $32,000 goal, just under 300 percent of its funding aspirations thanks to 3,348 backers.

The campaign hit a number of stretch goals along the way, which will result in the PC, Mac, Linux and Android game also coming to 3DS, Vita, Wii U and iOS. C-Wars is estimated to launch in late 2013.

JoystiqC-Wars Kickstarter ends with over $95K raised, heading to Wii U, iOS and Vita originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidc-warsCyberpunkiosipadiphonekickstarterLinuxmacmobilenintendoonipunksonipunks-studiopcplaystationplaystation-vitaroguelikeRTSvitawii-uSun, 12 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ANNE passes its Kickstarter goal with more than a week to go]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/anne-passes-its-kickstarter-goal-with-more-than-a-week-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/anne-passes-its-kickstarter-goal-with-more-than-a-week-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/anne-passes-its-kickstarter-goal-with-more-than-a-week-to-go/#commentsANNE reaches Kickstarter goal with 11 days left ANNE, the 2D nostalgia-laden platformer from developer Mo, hit its $70,000 Kickstarter goal, and from today it still has nine days left to earn more money. In a multilingual thank you update, Mo said words couldn't express his gratitude, so he created the happy robot image above.

"For sure the money is what will allow me to get the job done, but knowing that there are people like you out there that believe in my game, in me, just this is worth more than money," Mo said.

The first stretch goal for ANNE is $80,000 and it would add Mac and Linux versions of the game to Mo's development schedule. At $90,000, ANNE would have achievements and a Gender Swap mode, and later stretch goals (up to $150,000), add Ouya, PSN, Vita and Wii U versions.

ANNE is a combination of ideas from some of Mo's favorite 16-bit games, including Mega Man, Contra, Gradius and Super Metroid. That last one was a big inspiration, Mo told Joystiq in April.

"I remember at the beginning, you had this amazing ship," he said. "A crazy sprite landing slowly and then, the next thing you know, you're just on foot. And I was just, 'What a tease.' What if you could actually go in [the ship] and fly? What would that look like, and how fun would that be? So basically, it's picking up from just questioning myself and just trying to see what, you know, what am I really looking for as a player right now?"

JoystiqANNE passes its Kickstarter goal with more than a week to go originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anneIndiekickstartermopcsuper-metroidSun, 12 May 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Road Redemption hits Kickstarter target with 48 hours to go]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/road-redemption-hits-kickstarter-target-with-48-hours-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/road-redemption-hits-kickstarter-target-with-48-hours-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/road-redemption-hits-kickstarter-target-with-48-hours-to-go/#comments Road Redemption, which looks to be the spiritual successor to the Road Rash series, revved past its Kickstarter goal of $160,000 this morning, with 48 hours left in the tank. Just under 3,700 backers helped the fundraiser achieve its target. The mix of bikes and beatdowns is due to wheelie onto PC, Mac, and Linux in August 2014. and Wii U a few months after.

With two days still to go, developer DarkSeas Games now turns it eyes further down the road, with stretch goals of an XBLA port and Oculus Rift support on the horizon; $178K kicks XBLA into gear, $198K punches up Oculus.

JoystiqRoad Redemption hits Kickstarter target with 48 hours to go originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darkseas-gameskickstarterlinuxmacnintendopcroad-redemptionwii-uFri, 10 May 2013 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ray's the Dead partially resurrects Stubbs the Zombie on Kickstarter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/rays-the-dead-partially-resurrects-stubbs-the-zombie-on-kicksta/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/rays-the-dead-partially-resurrects-stubbs-the-zombie-on-kicksta/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/rays-the-dead-partially-resurrects-stubbs-the-zombie-on-kicksta/#comments

Ray's the Dead is more than an action zombie puzzler - it's a feat of electrical engineering. As a twice-removed successor to Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel without a Pulse, Ray's the Dead offers 1980s undead-centric gameplay inspired by Pikmin and, most adorably, a main character with a glowing lightbulb on top of his head. Yes, his name is Ray.

Ragtag Studio - composed of former Wideload, Disney and Ensemble Studios developers, including one who worked on Stubbs the Zombie - needs $75,000 from Kickstarter backers to add audio effects, music and quality writing to the game. They want to hire out these positions to Jake Kaufman (Double Dragon, Shovel Knight, DuckTales soundtracks), Ben Crossbones (Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Organ Trail sound design), Matt and Ed (Twisted Pixel writers) and a larger curated team.

Ragtag can finish the game without the Kickstarter funds, but that would result in a pared-down version of Ray's the Dead, Ragtag co-founder Chris Cobb tells Joystiq.

"With many Kickstarters, they promise additional features that can potentially lengthen the development cycle of the game," Cobb says. "With ours, we have specifically tailored the Kickstarter campaign to help us add features that do not affect the development cycle in a negative way, and in many ways will make it more likely that we can make our target release date. We planned out the scope of the game itself a while ago, and didn't feel it would be wise to add or remove gameplay features, levels, characters, etc., based on the failure or success of our campaign.

"We haven't had any funding, but we can continue working on the game for a good long while as we are all being supported by our wives right now. Without funding, anything we can do ourselves will be done, but things outside of our skill set will have to fall to the wayside. And none of us are musicians or writers."

Continue reading Ray's the Dead partially resurrects Stubbs the Zombie on Kickstarter

JoystiqRay's the Dead partially resurrects Stubbs the Zombie on Kickstarter originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kickstarterLinuxmacpcragtag-studiorays-the-deadstubbs-the-zombieTue, 07 May 2013 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Among the Sleep adds support for Oculus Rift, playable alpha coming soon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/among-the-sleep-adds-support-for-occulus-rift-playable-alpha-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/among-the-sleep-adds-support-for-occulus-rift-playable-alpha-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/among-the-sleep-adds-support-for-occulus-rift-playable-alpha-co/#comments
From our first encounter with it, we've billed Among the Sleep as a horror adventure game told through the eyes of a child. Now, thanks to the Oculus Rift, you can really play through the eyes of a child. The team at Krillbite has already implemented some simple Rift support in Among the Sleep and captured the results on video. As you can see, the Rift really drives home the scale of the game, as players see grandfather clocks tower high above them, or look down and marvel at their own tiny infant body.

The implementation right now is basic, and it will make it into the final version of Among the Sleep, but Krillbite is hopes to add advanced head tracking as the game's first stretch goal on Kickstarter. Right now, even the basic setup looks pretty impressive (and terrifying).

In other news, Krillbite is planning to release a playable alpha of Among the Sleep soon. The team is working to iron out a few bugs and create a feedback system before releasing it publicly. The alpha demo should launch "towards the end of the Kickstarter campaign."

Among the Sleep has currently raised $136,000 of its $200,000 goal with 11 days left to go.

JoystiqAmong the Sleep adds support for Oculus Rift, playable alpha coming soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>among-the-sleepkickstarterkrillbitekrillbite-studiomacpcTue, 07 May 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaming sexism documentary secures Kickstarter funding]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/gaming-sexism-documentary-secures-kickstarter-funding/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/gaming-sexism-documentary-secures-kickstarter-funding/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/gaming-sexism-documentary-secures-kickstarter-funding/#comments
Filmmaker Shannon Sun-Higginson has reached her Kickstarter funding goal for GTFO, an upcoming documentary film that explores the frequent sexism and harassment experienced by women who play video games.

Interviewing a variety of bloggers, scholars, and industry figures, Sun-Higginson hopes to piece together a narrative that explains why online harassment is so prevalent among video game players, in particular. Sun-Higginson has already filmed a number of segments at tournaments and conventions over the past year, and will use her Kickstarter earnings to fund future shoots, licensing rights, and post-production expenses.

"The purpose of this documentary is to reveal the experiences of women in the gaming world, both good and bad, as well as to provide steps we can take to change the environment for the better," Sun-Higginson explains.

GTFO's campaign hit its funding goal of $20,000 in its final week, and the film is expected to launch next year. Another Kickstarter-funded series that deals with similar subject matter, Anita Sarkeesian's Tropes vs. Women in Video Games, debuted in March.

JoystiqGaming sexism documentary secures Kickstarter funding originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>filmkickstarterTue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rex Rocket zooms past funding goal, dev looks to the future]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/rex-rocket-zooms-past-funding-goal-dev-looks-to-the-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/rex-rocket-zooms-past-funding-goal-dev-looks-to-the-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/rex-rocket-zooms-past-funding-goal-dev-looks-to-the-future/#commentsRex Rocket zooms past funding goal, dev looks to the future The last week as been "pretty amazing," says developer Rob Maher. His team - composed of himself, programmer Tyler Bud and composer Nigel "Saskrotch" Shields - just got Rex Rocket funded on Kickstarter. It was a small goal compared to other Kickstarter projects, just $6,000, but to Maher it's monumental. "I mean it's kind of a dream come true for us to put our game up on Kickstarter and have it supported by all these different people, and it's really been exciting for myself and the team."

Rex Rocket draws from Maher and Bud's Nintendo-fueled childhood, taking cues from Mega Man, Metroid and Mario, telling the story of a has-been hero drawn once more into the line of fire. Now, with the project fully funded, Maher and the team can focus on the game full-time. There are still 20 days left to earn more, however, and the team has big plans, including possibly achieving another dream, seeing Rex Rocket published on a Nintendo platform. And, even now, before the Rex Rocket Kickstarter is closed, Maher is planning the team's next game, Blossom Tales.

But let's take it one thing at a time.

Gallery: Rex Rocket

Continue reading Rex Rocket zooms past funding goal, dev looks to the future

JoystiqRex Rocket zooms past funding goal, dev looks to the future originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidiosipadiphonekickstartermacmobilenintendopcplaystationps3rex-rocketwii-uTue, 07 May 2013 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice: Otherlands is seriously considering Kickstarter, plans a video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/alice-otherlands-is-seriously-considering-kickstarter-plans-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/alice-otherlands-is-seriously-considering-kickstarter-plans-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/alice-otherlands-is-seriously-considering-kickstarter-plans-a/#commentsAlice Otherlands is getting serious about this Kickstarter idea American McGee's Spicy Horse development studio is getting serious about this Kickstarter idea for the third Alice installment, Alice: Otherlands. A Facebook page started in April contains multiple mentions of Kickstarter, potential rewards and teases about "hush-hush" negotiations with EA.

Spicy Horse is now working on a Kickstarter video for Alice: Otherlands and it wants an existing Alice cosplayer to star in it. The shoot is scheduled for June in Shanghai, China, Spicy Horse's home base.

"This contest does not mean the 'Otherlands' project will definitely happen - we're still working on deal-making, which could stall or fall through altogether," Spicy Horse cautions at the end of its announcement. For now, check out some of the early art for Alice: Otherlands and keep those Vorpal Blades crossed.

Alice: Otherlands features Alice in London, where she invades the minds of passersby and plays around in thousands of diverse, mental Wonderlands, McGee told us during GDC. He envisioned it not as a AAA game, but as an online, cooperative, cross-platform experience between tablets and browsers - but that was before EA had a say.

JoystiqAlice: Otherlands is seriously considering Kickstarter, plans a video originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 May 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alicealice-otherlandsamerican-mcgeeEAElectronic-Artskickstarterspicy-horseMon, 06 May 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasm hits $150,000 Kickstarter goal with five days to go]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/chasm-hits-150-000-kickstarter-goal-with-five-days-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/chasm-hits-150-000-kickstarter-goal-with-five-days-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/chasm-hits-150-000-kickstarter-goal-with-five-days-to-go/#comments 2D action-RPG Chasm traversed the void between it and Kickstarter funding this morning, reaching its $150,000 goal with five days to spare. With the game funded and set to arrive in May 2014, developer Discord Games turns its attention towards stretch goals, with an extended digital double album at $160K and achievements at $175K looking realistic.

Discord says Chasm takes its inspirations from Metroid, Castlevania, Zelda, and Diablo, while our JC Fletcher said the demo played "like a mashup of Symphony of the Night and Wanderers from Ys." At the moment Chasm is only confirmed for Windows, Mac, and Linux, but on a recent MANvsGAME stream Discord's James Petruzzi said his studio's speaking to companies, including Sony, about potential other platforms. However, Discord isn't likely to reveal anything before the Kickstarter campaign ends.

JoystiqChasm hits $150,000 Kickstarter goal with five days to go originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 May 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chasmdiscord-gameskickstarterlinuxmacpcMon, 06 May 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rex Rocket dev wants Zelda-inspired Blossom Tales on Wii U, 3DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/rex-rocket-dev-wants-zelda-inspired-blossom-tales-on-wii-u-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/rex-rocket-dev-wants-zelda-inspired-blossom-tales-on-wii-u-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/rex-rocket-dev-wants-zelda-inspired-blossom-tales-on-wii-u-3ds/#commentsRex Rocket team wants to bring Blossom Tales to Nintendo platforms The team behind the rad Rex Rocket Kickstarter has plans to bring Blossom Tales, a Zelda-style adventure game, to Nintendo platforms, if its fundraising goes well. Blossom Tales is a colorful, top-down adventure inspired by Zelda: A Link to the Past, developer Rob Maher tells Nintendo Life.

"Set in the world of Blossom, the game follows a young and newly initiated Knight of the Rose, Lily. After King Orchid is double-crossed and cursed to sleep by the Wizard Crocus, it's up to Lily to find ingredients to concoct a potion that will restore the King," Maher says. "We are hoping to pave the way with Rex Rocket onto Nintendo and follow it up with Blossom Tales - depending on the success of Rex Rocket, we may develop a sequel first. Nintendo is the primary goal for us, 100 percent."

The Rex Rocket Kickstarter has 21 days to raise less than $1,000 and reach its $6,000 goal. It's scheduled to launch in January 2014 for PC, with other platforms down the line.

JoystiqRex Rocket dev wants Zelda-inspired Blossom Tales on Wii U, 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 May 2013 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsblossom-taleskickstarternintendorex-rocketwii-uzeldazelda-a-link-to-the-pastSun, 05 May 2013 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Realm's game design concepts explained in Kickstarter video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/the-realms-game-design-concepts-explained-in-kickstarter-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/the-realms-game-design-concepts-explained-in-kickstarter-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/the-realms-game-design-concepts-explained-in-kickstarter-video/#comments
Atomhawk Design recently updated its Kickstarter page for The Realm with a new video explaining the game's design details. The video shows the game's designers elaborating on their inspirations for The Realm, including aspects of popular point-and-click adventure games the team avoided in creating the game, such as deep inventory management. Members of the Atomhawk team also describe the ways that the game's two main characters, a girl named Sarina and her golem friend Toru, interact to solve puzzles.

The Realm has 16 days left in its Kickstarter campaign to reach its goal of £195,000 ($297,000), of which the developer has currently raised £50,497 ($78,593).

JoystiqThe Realm's game design concepts explained in Kickstarter video originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidatomhawk-designDesign-Philosophyiosipadiphonekickstartermacmobilepcthe-realmSun, 05 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Project Awakened on hold due to 'alternate funding options,' donors receiving refunds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/project-awakened-on-hold-due-to-alternate-funding-options-don/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/project-awakened-on-hold-due-to-alternate-funding-options-don/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/project-awakened-on-hold-due-to-alternate-funding-options-don/#comments Phosphor Games has cancelled its self-powered crowdfunding initiative for Project Awakened and will be issuing refunds to everyone that has contributed to the drive thus far, according to a missive of the game's official website.

"At this time we need to put our funding endeavor on hold effective immediately. Everyone who pledged money will be receiving a full refund," the message reads. "There have been some alternative funding options that have recently been presented to us, so please continue to keep an eye out on our Facebook page for future updates."

Phosphor turned to DIY crowdfunding after its initial efforts to raise capital on Kickstarter fell short of the company's goal.

JoystiqProject Awakened on hold due to 'alternate funding options,' donors receiving refunds originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canceledcancellationcrowdfundingfinancefundingkickstarterpcphosphor-gamesproject-awakenedrefundSat, 04 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rawbots pitches custom robot battles in a sandbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/rawbots-pitches-custom-robot-battles-in-a-sandbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/rawbots-pitches-custom-robot-battles-in-a-sandbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/rawbots-pitches-custom-robot-battles-in-a-sandbox/#commentsRawbots lets you create robots and fight with them, now on Kickstarter Rawbots is a multiplayer game in which you build and program robots to battle other players in a sandbox arena. Designer Alex Rozgo and the Rawbots team is pitching the game on Kickstarter, where they're trying for $300,000 to deliver the product on the PC, Mac, Linux, Wii U, and possibly the PS4.

Rawbots intends to have various parts available for the making of your mechanical minions, which can then be traded with others using contracts and blueprints. The structure of the world is meant to combine different types of gameplay, enabling you to put together various levels designed for FPS or RTS-style interaction.

So far, Rawbots has only picked up a few thousand dollars, but the project has over a month to go. The team is also selling early access to the game on its website for $29.99.

JoystiqRawbots pitches custom robot battles in a sandbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-rozgobuildfightgameplaykickstarternintendopcrawbotsrobotssandboxwii-uFri, 03 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pixel Press creates games from your drawings]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/pixel-press-creates-games-from-your-drawings/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/pixel-press-creates-games-from-your-drawings/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/pixel-press-creates-games-from-your-drawings/#comments
Maybe, when you were a kid - or currently, if you are a kid - you used to draw your favorite video games. Maybe you designed your own levels, sketching them out on notebooks instead of paying attention in science class (sorry Mrs. Brown!). If you did, Pixel Press might be the most magical thing you'll hear about today.

Pixel Press is an application that works across computers and iOS devices to transform drawings into video game levels. All would-be designers have to do is print off a special sheet using a printer, draw detailed levels onto the grid (like graph paper), and scan the sheet using an iPhone or iPad. Once uploaded, the level can be edited using a computer, allowing designers to apply customized graphics and sound and, finally, share the level with other Pixel Press users. The simple platform game that the app creates doesn't appear to be very complex, but it also requires no coding skills, and it's designed to appeal to kids and families.

A Kickstarter for Pixel Press will launch on May 7. Check out a more detailed tutorial video after the break.

Continue reading Pixel Press creates games from your drawings

JoystiqPixel Press creates games from your drawings originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iosipadiphonekickstartermacmobilepcpixel-pressFri, 03 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Road Redemption Kickstarter adds XBLA, Oculus Rift stretch goals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/road-redemption-kickstarter-adds-xbla-oculus-rift-stretch-goals/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/road-redemption-kickstarter-adds-xbla-oculus-rift-stretch-goals/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/03/road-redemption-kickstarter-adds-xbla-oculus-rift-stretch-goals/#comments
Down to its final nine days, the Road Redemption Kickstarter campaign is hoping to entice the rest of its needed financing by announcing some stretch goals. If developer Dark Seas Games secures $178,000, the developer says a Xbox Live Arcade port is possible; $198,000 will guarantee Oculus Rift support.

Road Redemption is the spiritual successor to Road Rash developed by fans of the franchise, centered around motorcycle gangs fighting over drug distribution routes. Built with Unity, Road Redemption will launch on Mac OSX, PC, Linux and Wii U should the Kickstarter campaign yield the $160,000 needed in funding. At the time of publishing, the project sits at under $100,000.

JoystiqRoad Redemption Kickstarter adds XBLA, Oculus Rift stretch goals originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 May 2013 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-seas-gameskickstartermacmicrosoftnintendooculus-riftpcroad-redemptionwii-uxboxFri, 03 May 2013 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The smell of success: Stinky Footboard raises Kickstarter funding]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/the-smell-of-success-stinky-footboard-raises-kickstarter-fundin/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/the-smell-of-success-stinky-footboard-raises-kickstarter-fundin/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/the-smell-of-success-stinky-footboard-raises-kickstarter-fundin/#comments​

Montreal-based hardware developer SteLuLu Technologies has reached its Kickstarter funding goal for the Stinky Footboard, a PC peripheral designed to boost player performance with foot-controlled input.

The Stinky Footboard accepts four user-defined inputs, triggering different keypresses and game-specific macros if the player leans his or her foot forward, backward, to the left, or to the right. Citing feedback from professional players, SteLuLu claims that the board offers "more functionality, improved gameplay, enhanced performance, and increased actions per minute." Better still, if you want to exercise all of your limbs at once, SteLuLu notes that it's possible to use two Footboards simultaneously.

Though the product is PC-only at the moment, SteLuLu has announced plans to add Mac support by the end of the year. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3-compatible Footboards are also in the works. SteLuLu expects to ship its first wave of Footboards out to Kickstarter backers in July.

To our knowledge, the Stinky Footboard does not emanate odors of any sort. Thankfully.

JoystiqThe smell of success: Stinky Footboard raises Kickstarter funding originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 May 2013 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kickstartermacpcPeripheralperipheralsstinkystinky-footboardThu, 02 May 2013 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Stonehearth builds a giant tips bucket on Kickstarter [update: goal met]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/stonehearth-builds-a-giant-tips-bucket-on-kickstarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/stonehearth-builds-a-giant-tips-bucket-on-kickstarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/stonehearth-builds-a-giant-tips-bucket-on-kickstarter/#comments
Stonehearth, a blocky sandbox strategy game from Radiant Entertainment, has taken to Kickstarter for funding. Set in a fantasy realm, Stonehearth is a Windows PC game in which you nurture the development of a small band of humans.

Stonehearth utilizes procedurally generated terrain and dynamic AI encounters to instill variety into each play session. The game's also been built to be highly moddable; it will ship with tools and guides to help people customize just about everything.

By the time you're reading this, Stonehearth will in all likelihood have met its goal of $120,000, with 28 days left to go. [Update: Just as we thought, Radiant has met its goal of $120,000.] If $200,000 is raised, Mac and Linux ports will be developed. Meanwhile, you can also vote for Stonehearth on Steam Greenlight.

JoystiqStonehearth builds a giant tips bucket on Kickstarter [update: goal met] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 May 2013 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kickstarterpcradiant-entertainmentsteamsteam-greenlightstonehearthThu, 02 May 2013 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Citizen funding eclipses $9 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/star-citizen-funding-eclipses-9-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/star-citizen-funding-eclipses-9-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/star-citizen-funding-eclipses-9-million/#commentsStar Citizen funding reaches over $9 million Star Citizen has reached over $9 million in funding, thanks to its almost 170,000 contributors. The space exploration MMO, spearheaded by Wing Commander creator Chris Roberts, began with a successful $2 million run on Kickstarter, and has since raised almost $7 million on its own website. The original goal was "just" $500,000, but Star Citizen has topped every stretch goal it set and then some.

As part of its stretch goals, Star Citizen's launch plans include a tablet companion app, celebrity voice acting, a free mission pack for every player, and over 100 star systems to explore while playing. Developer Cloud Imperium Games has just opened offices in Santa Monica, and the game's website is proclaiming a victory for post-publisher game development.

Players will get a chance to explore the world of Star Citizen in an alpha release, scheduled for sometime this winter.

JoystiqStar Citizen funding eclipses $9 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 May 2013 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-millionchris-robertscrowdfundingexplorationfree-to-playindependentkickstartermmomoneypcpublisherroberts-space-industriesstar-citizenWed, 01 May 2013 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Telekinetic, terraforming action game 'Son of Nor' seeks Kickstarter powers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/telekinetic-terraforming-action-game-son-of-nor-seeks-kicksta/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/telekinetic-terraforming-action-game-son-of-nor-seeks-kicksta/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/telekinetic-terraforming-action-game-son-of-nor-seeks-kicksta/#comments
StilAlive studios has kicked off its Kickstarter campaign for the single-player and co-op action adventure Son of Nor with a goal of $150,000. The game has been bouncing around for a bit and the international team of developers says they've taken it as far as they can without help.

Son of Nor features the last remnants of mankind fighting the lizard-man army of Sarahul using a combination of fire, wind, terraforming and telekinetic powers. In this dark future, it appears humans have learned to wield rocks with their minds, but have lost all ability to whack something with a stick. Maybe we should just let the lizard men win? The final version of Nor is targeted to be about eight hours, with a 50/50 blend of combat and puzzle exploration.

If the Kickstarter is successful, the team plans to continue development through the year, updating its progress with developer diaries. A closed beta is planned for Q1 2014, with the final game scheduled for mid-2014. Head on over to the Son of Nor Kickstarter page for more details on reward tiers.

JoystiqTelekinetic, terraforming action game 'Son of Nor' seeks Kickstarter powers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kickstartermacpcson-of-norstill-alivestillaliveTue, 30 Apr 2013 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA['Battle Worlds: Kronos' Kickstarter concludes at $260K]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/battle-worlds-kronos-kickstarter-concludes-at-260k/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/battle-worlds-kronos-kickstarter-concludes-at-260k/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/battle-worlds-kronos-kickstarter-concludes-at-260k/#commentsBattle Worlds Kronos makes goal Battle Worlds: Kronos recently concluded its Kickstarter funding round with 7,564 backers pledging $260,235. Under development by KING Art, Kronos surpassed its goal of $120,000 early on in the drive with 22 days to spare. Battle Worlds: Kronos is intended as a streamlined tactics game á la Advanced Wars.

"45 days ago we were not sure if we could collect $120,000. We're a small studio, we hadn't had a well-known IP and we're German - so we got a fair amount of 'angst,'" KING Art studio head Jan Theysen told us. "We see ourselves on the way to become a 'Kickstarter company.' Making games together with a community of gamers and funded by that community... what could be better?"

KING Art previously found success (mostly in Europe) with the point and click adventure game The Book of Unwritten Tales. Battle Worlds: Kronos is scheduled to enter closed beta in the third quarter for backers and go full open beta shortly after. The game is planned to launch in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Joystiq'Battle Worlds: Kronos' Kickstarter concludes at $260K originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battle-Worlds-KronoskickstarterKing-ArtmacpcTue, 30 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Class of Heroes 2 physical/digital combo pack now up for preorder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/class-of-heroes-2-physical-digital-combo-pack-now-up-for-preorde/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/class-of-heroes-2-physical-digital-combo-pack-now-up-for-preorde/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/class-of-heroes-2-physical-digital-combo-pack-now-up-for-preorde/#comments Class of Heroes 2 physicaldigital combo pack now up for preorderGaijinworks is gearing up to launch a localized version of Acquire's PSP dungeon-crawling RPG Class of Heroes 2, and has opened preorders for a physical UMD edition that also includes a downloadable copy of the game.

For $36.99, buyers will receive a digital voucher for Class of Heroes 2 once it hits the PlayStation Network next month. A boxed physical version will be shipped to preorder customers an estimated 4-8 weeks after preorders close on May 8th.

Published in partnership with MonkeyPaw Games, Class of Heroes 2 is a first-person, Wizardry-like dungeon crawler with a focus on character customization. A Kickstarter project for a proposed deluxe edition didn't reach its funding goal, but a limited physical release entered production after meeting with a positive fan response.

"[Class of Heroes 2 is] not out of QA yet, but I'd imagine it should be up on PSN about the 3rd week in May, and the physical a few weeks after that," Gaijinworks founder Victor Ireland notes. "The QA is really just a formality because all that changed was a couple lines of text cleaned up and the opening removed until the rights situation is cleared."

Class of Heroes 2 was originally released in Japan in 2009. Since then, a number of sequel titles have debuted for platforms including the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo 3DS. To date, only the first PSP entry in the series has seen a North American release.

JoystiqClass of Heroes 2 physical/digital combo pack now up for preorder originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-of-heroes-2kickstartermonkeypaw-gamesplaystationplaystation-vitapre-orderpsnpspsonyvitaMon, 29 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ecco the Dolphin 'Big Blue' Kickstarter fails, trying again with 'Little Blue']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/ecco-the-dolphin-big-blue-kickstarter-fails-trying-again-with/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/ecco-the-dolphin-big-blue-kickstarter-fails-trying-again-with/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/ecco-the-dolphin-big-blue-kickstarter-fails-trying-again-with/#comments Ecco the Dolphin 'Big Blue' Kickstarter fails, trying again with 'Little Blue'Oceanic adventure game Big Blue, put together by members of the team that made Ecco the Dolphin, has failed its Kickstarter bid. The game raised just under $56,000, falling well short of its $665,000 goal.

Creator Ed Annunziata isn't giving up though, and has already announced plans to launch a second Kickstarter campaign.

Annunziata admitted that "it is hard to get people to see how compelling a game like the Big Blue will be," and revealed plans for Little Blue, which will essentially serve as a "slice" of the original project. Little Blue will require a "much lower" level of funding, and should serve to properly convey Big Blue's full potential to players. The game will be less ambitious, featuring significantly fewer environments and creatures, though one of the two playable creatures is promised to be a dolphin.

Assuming its funding is successful, Little Blue will be launched for free and contain a link to forward players to another Kickstarter for the full-fledged Big Blue. For the moment, the launch date for the Little Blue Kickstarter is still murky.

JoystiqEcco the Dolphin 'Big Blue' Kickstarter fails, trying again with 'Little Blue' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbig-blueiosipadiphonekickstarterlittle-bluemacmobilepcMon, 29 Apr 2013 17:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Rex Rocket Kickstarter looks pretty mega, man]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/rex-rocket-kickstarter-looks-pretty-mega-man/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/rex-rocket-kickstarter-looks-pretty-mega-man/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/rex-rocket-kickstarter-looks-pretty-mega-man/#comments
What's that, another pixel-art game inspired by the likes of Mega Man and Metroid on Kickstarter? And why not! Rex Rocket tells the story of ... Rex Rocket, a war hero aboard the "epic star cruiser" SS Montana. His days of combat over, he's now saddled with the mundane job of ferrying a bunch of scientists and "Terra-Oozlings" to the Washington solar system. Naturally, things don't go according to plan. Long story short, Rex soon finds himself battling escaped Oozlings, haywire robots and the SS Montana's damaged computer.

The game features plenty of weapons, exploration, puzzles, platforming, a sweet chiptune soundtrack and lots of enemies. Developers Rob Maher and Tyler Bud are seeking $6,000 to fund the project, with a planned release in January 2014. Rex Rocket is guaranteed on PC, though the duo hopes to port it to pretty much everything, including Mac, Wii U, 3DS, Vita, Xbox Live Indie Games, iOS and Ouya.

JoystiqRex Rocket Kickstarter looks pretty mega, man originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidiosipadiphonekickstartermacmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitarex-rocketvitawii-uxboxMon, 29 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Chasm demo released as Kickstarter crosses $100k]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/new-chasm-demo-released-as-kickstarter-crosses-100k/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/new-chasm-demo-released-as-kickstarter-crosses-100k/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/new-chasm-demo-released-as-kickstarter-crosses-100k/#comments
Discord Games has released a new demo version of its side-scrolling action-RPG Chasm as the game's Kickstarter project enters its third week with over $100,000 in pledges.

Playing like a mashup of Symphony of the Night and Wanderers from Ys, Chasm challenges players to plumb a procedurally generated mineshaft for stat-boosting equipment and other valuable artifacts. The demo version includes the game's first village and a handful of dungeon floors, and gives a good idea of the kind of hack-and-slash action that will be featured in the final release. Watch out for those bats, by the way - they're total jerks.

Discord Games seeks $150,000 to fully fund the project, and notes that Chasm currently ranks at #17 in the Steam Greenlight charts.

JoystiqNew Chasm demo released as Kickstarter crosses $100k originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chasmdemokickstarterpcFri, 26 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lessons from Metroid: Spending some time with A.N.N.E.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/anne-kickstarter-moise-breton-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/anne-kickstarter-moise-breton-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/anne-kickstarter-moise-breton-interview/#comments Lessons from Metroid Spending some time with ANNEAt the opening of Super Metroid, a gunship rockets through space, eventually descending to the surface of the planet Zebes. A hatch opens, and bounty hunter Samus Aran slowly rises from the ship amidst the rain and lightning of an alien world. It's one of the most memorable moments of the 16-bit era, but it left Moise Breton with a question: Why doesn't she ever get back in the ship?

Last September, after Moise (Mo for short) left Activision's Quebec Spider-Man studio, Beenox, he decided to find the answer. The result is A.N.N.E., a game that cobbles together and improves upon some of Mo's favorite video game ideas. A 2D, open-world adventure, ANNE pulls inspirations from a broad spectrum of games, including Metroid, Mega Man, Contra, Gradius and Cave Story - though the latter is mostly coincidence, he says. Much like Samus, our robotic hero, Number 25, uses his abilities to take down enemies, finding numerous upgrades and uncovering new areas along the way. Unlike Samus, his ship is a constant companion, transporting him from place to place, blasting monsters from the sky and forging new paths.

After launching a Kickstarter and posting an impressive reveal trailer, things have "exploded all at once," Mo tells me, and he's very excited. Based on the short demo I played, you should be too.

Gallery: ANNE

Continue reading Lessons from Metroid: Spending some time with A.N.N.E.

JoystiqLessons from Metroid: Spending some time with A.N.N.E. originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annegamesbymokickstartermacmoise-bretonnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitawii-uFri, 26 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Defense Grid 2 development under way, coming first half of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/defense-grid-2-development-under-way-coming-first-half-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/defense-grid-2-development-under-way-coming-first-half-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/defense-grid-2-development-under-way-coming-first-half-of-2014/#comments
Hidden Path Entertainment has announced development of Defense Grid 2 is currently underway, with a targeted launch on Steam for PC, Mac and Linux in the first half of 2014.

When the Defense Grid 2 Kickstarter campaign launched, the team at Hidden Path Entertainment didn't know exactly if they'd be able to produce a sequel. The campaign had a goal of $250,000, which was met, but the team was really looking for $1 million to fund a full sequel. Hidden Path fell short of that goal but thanks to an angel investor, the sequel is now under way.

The $250,000 goal of the Defense Grid 2 Kickstarter campaign was to fund Defense Grid: Containment, an expansion pack to the original Defense Grid: The Awakening. Hidden Path shipped the expansion earlier this year, which caught the eye of the unknown investor who secured funding for Defense Grid 2.

"You guys supported us, an investor saw your support, saw us make promises to you, saw us keep those promises to you and, after Containment shipped, they decided to partner with us and invest in Defense Grid 2 so that we have enough money to make the game," CEO Jeff Pobst says. COO Jim Garbarini added that Defense Grid 2 is "fully funded and moving forward." Kickstarter backers will receive a free copy of Defense Grid 2 when it ships, the duo confirmed.

Defense Grid: The Awakening is a tower-defense game that made its debut in 2008 on the PC and was ported to the Xbox 360 the following year. In the game, players must defend military bases from waves of encroaching alien enemies through strategic placement of defense towers.

JoystiqDefense Grid 2 development under way, coming first half of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defense-grid-2hidden-pathhidden-path-entertainmentkickstarterlinuxmacpcThu, 25 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ambient Studios shutters, Death Inc. refunds issued]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/ambient-studios-shutters-death-inc-refunds-issued/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/ambient-studios-shutters-death-inc-refunds-issued/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/ambient-studios-shutters-death-inc-refunds-issued/#comments Ambient Studios shutters, Death Inc refunds issuedIndependent developer Ambient Studios announced today that it is shutting down, and is ceasing development of its plague simulation title Death Inc.

Announcement of the closure arrives after Death Inc.'s recent success at Steam Greenlight. Ambient Studios soldiered on with Death Inc.'s development even after its initial Kickstarter project failed, and a paid alpha version was issued via Ambient's website.

"We're super proud of what we achieved, but ultimately we didn't manage to make enough money to keep the wolves from the door," the Ambient team notes in its final update. "And so we had to make the difficult decision that it is no longer feasible for Ambient to continue operating."

Ambient will issue refunds to alpha backers soon.

JoystiqAmbient Studios shutters, Death Inc. refunds issued originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambient-studiosdeath-inckickstartermacThu, 25 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Boston Festival of Indie Games offers PC game bundle as Kickstarter incentive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/boston-festival-of-indie-games-offers-pc-game-bundle-as-kickstar/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/boston-festival-of-indie-games-offers-pc-game-bundle-as-kickstar/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/boston-festival-of-indie-games-offers-pc-game-bundle-as-kickstar/#comments Boston Festival of Indie Games offers PC game bundle as Kickstarter incentiveThe Boston Festival of Indie Games will return to MIT's campus in September, and organizers hope to make this year's show bigger, better, and less sweltering than last year's event with help from Kickstarter backers.

Showcasing tabletop games, interactive art, and video games developed by local studios like Owlchemy Labs (Snuggle Truck) and Wadjet Eye Games (Resonance), the inaugural Boston Festival of Indie Games was a bigger success than its creators anticipated, attracting an estimated 2,000 attendees.

"[Last year's] festival was a lot of fun, but it was cramped and hot," the Kickstarter pitch notes. "MIT's Stratton Student Center and Johnson Athletic Center will better accommodate the crowds, exhibitors and game developers at Boston Festival of Indie Games. Our goal is to have plenty of room for all the great features that come with the festival, like the game developer showcase, tabletop game play, art gallery, game jam, keynote speakers, films and much more."

Backers who pledge $25 or more will receive an advance pass to 2013's event, along with the "Figgie Bundle," a downloadable PC game compilation that includes Subatomic Studios' Fieldrunners, Fire Hose Games' Go Home Dinosaurs, Popcannibal's Fish Listening to the Radio, and Binary Takeover's Lost Marbles. More titles will be added to the bundle as money continues to roll in.

JoystiqBoston Festival of Indie Games offers PC game bundle as Kickstarter incentive originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bostonboston-festival-of-indie-gamesindiekickstarterpcThu, 25 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nyu Media funds Japanese indie shooters via Kickstarter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/nyu-media-funds-japanese-indie-shooters-via-kickstarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/nyu-media-funds-japanese-indie-shooters-via-kickstarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/nyu-media-funds-japanese-indie-shooters-via-kickstarter/#comments
Indie-friendly localization studio and publishing partner Nyu Media has launched a Kickstarter project to fund the English-language release of a trio of titles from Japanese shoot-'em-up developer SITER SKAIN.

The Tale of ALLTYNEX includes the Windows shooters ALLTYNEX Second, RefleX, and KAMUI. Each chapter in the series offers unique gameplay mechanics, in addition to a central lock-on gimmick inspired by Taito's RayStorm series.

Previously, Nyu Media tackled Steam releases for games like Cherry Tree High Comedy Club and The eXceed Collection. The Tale of ALLTYNEX will follow suit if it drums up support through Steam Greenlight.

Nyu Media seeks $4,999 to cover the cost of a digital release, and a boxed physical edition will be produced if the group can collect more than $28,000. Backer rewards include downloadable copies of all featured games, t-shirts, and ... yes, body pillows.

JoystiqNyu Media funds Japanese indie shooters via Kickstarter originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kickstarternyu-mediapcshmupthe-tale-of-alltynexTue, 23 Apr 2013 21:00:00 EST