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PSN Thursday: Try Trine, Get Gex

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 5th 2009 at 7:20PM }

PS3 owners don't have much to download, with Numblast (pictured above) and Military Madness the sole new games on PSN this week. For your retro thrills, Gex crawls out of the Not-Very-Popular-PS1-Mascots Archive. Make sure you get the free LBP birthday costume, and don't miss out on the Trine demo (especially if you're on the fence!). PSP owners have a lot more to choose from with the addition of Numblast, Dissidia, Ghostbusters and a free MotorStorm: Arctic Edge demo.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

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PSN Thursday: The time for Trine

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 22nd 2009 at 8:15PM }

After a "last-minute bug" delayed its PSN release back in July, with a hold-up in quality assurance in September, it appears that it's finally time for tryin' Trine. Then again, with the way Critter Crunch (demo out now) sold, it appears folks are into their big holiday retail titles at the moment. Admit it, you're playing Uncharted 2 for the third time right now. Check out the full PSN update after the break.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

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Trine coming to US PSN today; Frozenbyte answers the obvious question

by JC Fletcher { Oct 22nd 2009 at 6:00PM }

What happened? Frozenbyte has reiterated that Trine will really, for reals be available on PSN today. The PSN puzzle-platformer was supposed to be out in July, before the PC version, but it failed to meet either of those deadlines. So why is it three months late?

Essentially, as Frozenbyte has said, the delay can be attributed to stringent testing for a console release, combined with a long wait for approval of every test -- with just a dash of Sony marketing strategy. Frozenbyte's Joel Kinnunen has described the issue in a lengthy forum post.

"The reason why the US version is so late is a bit of a similar situation as the overall delay," Kinnunen wrote. "We had the US version done around the same time as the European version and I think the publisher submitted it swiftly after hearing the European version was 'ok.'" After that delay, Kinnunen believes, it was Sony's desire to "give the game a good window with regards to other PSN titles/content" that kept it off the US PlayStation Store until today.

Trine (finally) gets US PSN release date: October 22

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 2nd 2009 at 1:31PM }

All the tryin' is over -- Trine is coming to America. But is it too late? The PSN title looks to finally overcome major delays, only to find itself releasing amidst Uncharted 2, Borderlands and Ratchet & Clank. Good luck, ye brave platformer.

Trine will try and find its way to the North American PlayStation Store on Thursday, October 22. No word on price yet, but the European version launched at €19.99 (about $29); and the currently available PC version is listed for $20.

Trine's Platinum Trophy is all heart and soul

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 17th 2009 at 3:00PM }

Though Trine's lengthy delay has become the butt of many a tactless joke, European PlayStation 3 owners can finally access Frozenbyte's physics-based platformer today -- the pleasant result of a wizard, a warrior and a thief walking into a cross-media bar. As consolation, the trio have brought along a Platinum Trophy, a rarity among downloadable PlayStation Network games.

"Trine has a Platinum Trophy because it's a fairly large game for a downloadable title (and dare I say great quality)," Frozenbyte PR manager Joel Kinnunen told Joystiq. "I think all the heart and soul we poured into the game fused into a platinum core, so maybe that's another reason." The virtual reward, obtained by earning all lower-tier Trophies, is generally reserved for the PS3's retail releases.

You may suspect Trine to become one of them -- the PC version made it to retail in North America, after all -- but Kinnunen ruled out any immediate plans for a Blu-ray release.

Gallery: Trine

European PSN releases for September 17

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 17th 2009 at 11:25AM }

We've been Trine really hard to come up with a clever statement for this week's European PSN releases, but we've come up short. Our usual Command of the English language has failed us -- a fact which will keep us up all through the Insane Night.

... Also, Bomberman Ultra is out.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

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Trine PS3 due this week in Europe [update]

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 15th 2009 at 5:16PM }

Eurogamer reports -- and Sony Europe has confirmed with Joystiq as well -- that the long-awaited puzzle platformer, Trine, is set to arrive on the European PlayStation Store this week. It appears developer Frozenbyte may have finally worked out its quality assurance testing issues with Sony.

We've contacted Sony America and are still awaiting an official response about the PS3 version's release in North America. Keep an eye on this week's PSN Thursday updates for the final word.

Update: Sony America hasn't made an official statement; however, a member of developer Frozenbyte has stated on the company forum, "All I know is that US release is not tomorrow."

[Thanks, B. Wright]

Gallery: Trine

Trine 'stuck' in Quality Assurance testing, dev unsure of release date

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 1st 2009 at 9:00PM }

Remember that game Trine? The summer is quickly coming to a close, and we've yet to see the innovative multiplayer platformer hit the PlayStation Network. What happened to the game, and why isn't it out yet?

Develpoer Frozenbyte's CEO Lauri Hyvärinen spoke with GameSetWatch and said the game has been stalled due to Sony's rigorous QA testing. "On consoles it takes weeks, even months if the game gets stuck in the technical quality testing stuff. It's not anybody's fault really, and it guarantees a better end product, but the time it takes can be frustrating."

Frustration? We certainly didn't notice that in our comments section! Unfortunately, Hyvärinen doesn't have much to console us. According to Frozenbyte, they're as in the dark about the release as we are: "I think we are waiting for the PSN release just as much as gamers out there." Hopefully, Trine will see release soon -- before the holiday's big guns start hogging all our attention.

Gallery: Trine

PC Trine to retail Sept. 8, PSN cries single tear

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 26th 2009 at 8:00PM }

While PS3 users are still waiting for the PSN release of thiefy-wizardy-knighty-platformer Trine, SouthPeak has announced that the PC version of the game will soon be headed to retail. The retail version of the game will land on shelves September 8 -- peep its box art above.

So, if you've been waiting for a chance to own a copy of Trine that actually comes with a box, you're wait is almost over. If, on the other hand, you've been waiting to download the game on a certain, special console, you'll have to continue settling for nothing but deep sighs and long, wistful looks out the window.

Trine hammers 25% off Steam price until Aug. 19

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 14th 2009 at 2:00AM }

Multiplayer puzzle-platformer Trine is enjoying a 25-percent discount on Steam for a limited time. Lasting until August 19, the deal will lift $22.50 from your wallet.

This brings the PC version a little more in line with the expected price of the PS3 version, which, last we heard, was getting itself out of "a big mess."

Gallery: Trine

Trine delayed, trying to release on PSN soon

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 29th 2009 at 5:00PM }

Trine will not make it onto the PlayStation Network this week, due to the discovery of a "last-minute bug." G4tv reports that Frozenbyte confirmed the delay and noted that it can't verify a release for next week either. The best answer the company could give is that the game will arrive soon.

Fret not, for if you have a PC, the game is already available. Also, we're still not sure if "last-minute bug" is a euphemism for "Fat Princess was going to devour all our sales."

[Via 1UP]

New Trine trailer focuses on physics-based co-op gameplay

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 9th 2009 at 2:15PM }

No, Trine isn't available on PSN ... yet! However, a brand new trailer on the PlayStation.blog makes us wish we could play it on our PS3s right now. (Note: You can buy it on Steam ... but it'll cost you some more.) This new footage focuses on the co-op gameplay and how multiple players can take advantage of the physics system to help each other traverse the game's 16 levels. Unfortunately, there's no release date revealed on the blog, other than a simple "coming soon." Boo. Soon doesn't mean today, does it?

See the trailer after the break.

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Trine dev: Project is 'a big mess'

by Justin McElroy { Jul 3rd 2009 at 11:00AM }

To be clear, Frozenbyte spokesman Joel Kinnunen wasn't saying that the company's fantasy action platformer itself is a mess, but everything surrounding it -- like price point disparity between regions and territories -- has become quite the kerfuffle.

The problem, apparently, is that Trine started life as PC game before migrating to PSN and (maybe) XBLA. While that may be good for getting the game to as many people as possible, it's not ideal for a game launch.

"Trine as a project is a big mess," Kinnunen said, "as opposed to Trine as a game, which is pretty sweet. Ultimately it's the game part that really matters and helps us sleep at night, though."

Trine casts a spell on Steam today

by David Hinkle { Jul 2nd 2009 at 2:00PM }

Trine is a game with a lot of buzz surrounding it, and for good reason. It's an ambitious title, to say the least, and we're glad to report that the game will be available on Steam today for your downloading pleasure. The game's a bit on the pricier side ($29.99), but provides plenty of bang for those bucks, including three different playable characters, 15 different levels, and co-op for up to three players. Oh, and if you pre-ordered, don't forget about your free copy of Shadowgrounds.

Just do us one favor before you download: Make sure you put on your robe and wizard hat. Thanks.

Frozenbyte responds: 'XBLA version of Trine is a possibility'

by Christopher Grant { Jul 1st 2009 at 1:55PM }

While we were ready to believe that online co-op in the Xbox Live Arcade release of Trine was "speculation," we'll admit, we were pretty taken aback to hear the developer refer to the XBLA release itself as "speculation" as well. While Trine's would-be XBLA publisher at Atlus issued a terse "no comment," we got a hold of the developers at Frozenbyte, whose Lauri Hyvärinen had this to say:

An XBLA version of Trine is a possibility but nothing more at present time. We would love to have Trine on XBLA and we've partnered with Atlus to make it happen, but it needs Microsoft's approval and there are other factors as well. So it may happen or it may not, that's really the current situation. Everything else ranging from release date to features is just speculation and isn't based on any facts.

As soon as we know more we will also inform everyone else :)

So, there you have it. Microsoft needs to approve the game and Frozenbyte has to address "other factors" (we don't think online co-op is required – Bionic Commando Rearmed lacks online support for its co-op mode). But don't keep your feelings bottled up inside (you can get sick that way, y'know?). Share them with us in our handy poll, which is awaiting your input just after the break.

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