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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Orson Scott Card games from Undertow devs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/orson-scott-card-games-from-undertow-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/orson-scott-card-games-from-undertow-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/orson-scott-card-games-from-undertow-devs/#commentsFiled under:

In a move that came out of the blue, but somehow feels right, Epic games (of Unreal and Gears fame) has acquired Chair Entertainment, the developers of Undertow for XBLA. Undertow was one of the earlier games to experiment with using Unreal Engine 3 on the Live Arcade and the fact that they are now owned by the makers of said engine seems to sit right. Chair Entertainment will still be known as such, and they are currently at work on two new projects, both of which have no announced platform (though XBLA is likeliest). The two games' titles are Empire: Alpha Complex and Ender's Game: Battle Room, both of which are based on properties of the novelist Orson Scott Card. Nothing else is known, but given the titles and properties that they correspond to, color us intrigued.

JoystiqOrson Scott Card games from Undertow devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 May 2008 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chair-entertainmentepicundertowxblaWed, 21 May 2008 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic Games takes seat, acquires Chair Entertainment Group]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/epic-games-takes-seat-acquires-chair-entertainment/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/epic-games-takes-seat-acquires-chair-entertainment/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/epic-games-takes-seat-acquires-chair-entertainment/#commentsFiled under:

Epic Games today announced its acquisition of Utah-based Undertow developer, Chair Entertainment Group. Under directors Donald and Geremy Mustard, and CEO Ryan Holmes, Chair Entertainment becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Epic, keeping both its name and "its focus on creating new original game properties which utilize Epic's Unreal Engine technology."

We've placed the full press release, which contains the usual "We're thrilled to buy this awesome company!" and "We're so glad this amazing company bought us!" quotes, after the break. Not specifically mentioned is how the acquisition will affect Chair's Ender's Game projects, if at all. After requesting comment, we were promised an update "as soon as one is available." Funny, we were just about to tell you readers the same thing.

Continue reading Epic Games takes seat, acquires Chair Entertainment Group

JoystiqEpic Games takes seat, acquires Chair Entertainment Group originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 May 2008 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AcquisitionBreakingNewsChairChair-EntertainmentEnders-GameEpicEpic-GamesUndertowUnrealTue, 20 May 2008 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Shhh, half-price Undertow expansion available now for 200 MS points [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/shhh-half-price-undertow-expansion-available-now-for-200-ms-points/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/shhh-half-price-undertow-expansion-available-now-for-200-ms-points/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/shhh-half-price-undertow-expansion-available-now-for-200-ms-points/#commentsFiled under: ,

There's an expansion available now for XBLA game Undertow, but this time around the content is going to cost you. The special part is continuing the aquatic action won't cost 400 MS points as originally expected because it's currently available for 200 MS points ($2.50 in surface currency). If this is an accident and you're a fan of Undertow, now's the time to purchase it!

If the half-price sale hasn't sold you, here are some details on the Path of the Elect expansion. It includes five campaign levels, a new alien race called the "Elect" and four multiplayer maps. Now, go grab this deal in case it doesn't last.

Update: The expansion price has been changed to 400 points.

JoystiqShhh, half-price Undertow expansion available now for 200 MS points [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chair-EntertainmentshooterundertowxblaXbox-360Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Undertow expansion on LIVE at 400 MS points [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/undertow-expansion-on-live-at-200ms-points/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/undertow-expansion-on-live-at-200ms-points/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/undertow-expansion-on-live-at-200ms-points/#commentsFiled under: ,


Update: It looks like the original price-point of 200 MS points this morning was in fact an error as the price of the Undertow expansion has been raised to 400 MS points.

Earlier in the week we reported that the expansion to Undertow, Microsoft's apology gift to gamers for the LIVE service downtime, would be hitting the Marketplace at 400 MS space bucks today.

Well, one for two ain't bad. The Undertow expansion, Path of the Elect, has hit the Xbox Live Marketplace but at the low price of 200 MS points (aka $2.50). According to the listing on Xbox.com the expansion pack price was slated at 400 MS points, so it is unclear if the content was priced down prior to release or if the Xbox Live Marketplace listing is an error.

Regardless, 200 MS points for the expansion is a steal and fans of Undertow should take notice immediately -- especially if this was a mistake!

JoystiqUndertow expansion on LIVE at 400 MS points [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chair-entertainmentundertowxblaWed, 05 Mar 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Undertow Path of the Elect expansion this Wed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/04/undertow-path-of-the-elect-expansion-this-wed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/04/undertow-path-of-the-elect-expansion-this-wed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/04/undertow-path-of-the-elect-expansion-this-wed/#commentsFiled under: ,

Microsoft's Xbox Live outage apology gift, Undertow will be sprouting a new set of expansion fins tomorrow with the release of a new Path of the Elect expansion pack.

Undertow's Path of the Elect expansion will give XBLA gamers an additional five campaign single / co-op levels, a new playable alien race called the "Elect" and four extra multiplayer maps. But this is not charity DLC as Chair Entertainment will be charging 400 Microsoft points for their Path of the Elect content. Then again, it isn't like the majority of Undertow owners didn't get the game for free, so we'll probably be tiny bit more open minded with our purchasing decision. Path of the Elect. DLC. Tomorrow. Buy.

JoystiqUndertow Path of the Elect expansion this Wed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chairchair-entertainmentpath-of-the-electundertowxblaTue, 04 Mar 2008 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Ender's Game might end up on the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/enders-game-might-end-up-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/enders-game-might-end-up-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/enders-game-might-end-up-on-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:

Any sci-fi geek worth his or her salt will have heard of Orson Scott Card's magnificent Ender's Game series. (The original happens to be one of this blogger's favorite books.)

For those of you unfamiliar with the story, let's catch up. Ender's Game tells the tale of the young prodigy, Ender Wiggin, who must prepare to save the word by training at Battle School. Ender's training consists of (what else?) playing games -- intense, simulated battles that involve a lot of strategy and tactics.

It was only a matter of time before a game about a book about playing games was made, and we couldn't think of a better way to do it than with Orson Scott Card's novel. Chair Entertainment (developer of XBLA 's Undertow) recently signed the rights to the series, and plan to (eventually) make the title for all consoles and handhelds.

While games based on licenses have a tendency to fall short of our expectations, we're somewhat comforted to know that Orson Scott Card is "working with [Chair Entertainment] to ensure the game is as authentically Enderish as possible," as he puts it.

We only hope that this title actually appears on our favorite handheld, and doesn't turn into DS vaporware like some others that we know. If it does come out on the DS, though, it probably won't be until after the game releases onto downloadable platforms first (which we assume will include Wii Ware, too).

[Via Games Industry]

JoystiqEnder's Game might end up on the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chair-entertainmentenders-gameorson-scott-cardundertowTue, 29 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Undertow team creating Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game's game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/undertow-team-creating-orson-scott-cards-enders-games-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/undertow-team-creating-orson-scott-cards-enders-games-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/undertow-team-creating-orson-scott-cards-enders-games-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A new collaboration between renowned author Orson Scott Card and Undertow developer, Chair Entertainment, will see the popular sci-fi novel Ender's Game adapted into a series of video games "across all next-generation consoles, handheld platforms, and PC." The first offering is expected to begin development later this year and will be released in downloadable format.

As the story of Ender's Game revolves around the protagonist's experiences within the "Battle Room" -- home to a simulation of futuristic combat -- it should come as no surprise to learn that Chair Entertainment's goal is to place players into the very same virtual environment. Turning Ender's fictional game into a "real" one certainly makes sly sense within the context of the book, though we would be slightly concerned if the people on our Xbox Live friends should start turning up dead.

In a recently published interview, N'Gai Croal managed to catch-up with the Mustard brothers, Donald and Geremy, founders of Chair Entertainment. They described the Unreal-engine game with great relish, noting that the "the unique characteristics of the Battle Room will make a very compelling, competitive game play experience." Let's hope it can make up for the bad taste left in our mouths by one of their previous Card collaborations, Advent Rising.

[Image: "Ender's Game(s)" by Penny Arcade]

JoystiqUndertow team creating Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game's game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdaptationAdventRisingBattle-RoomBreakingNewsChair-EntertainmentEnders-GameOrson-Scott-CardPCPS3PSNUndertowUnreal3XBLAXbox-360Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Last chance to download Undertow for free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/reminder-last-chance-to-download-undertow-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/reminder-last-chance-to-download-undertow-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/reminder-last-chance-to-download-undertow-for-free/#commentsFiled under: ,


Yeah, we know. The whole "deep sea diver combat" genre peaked with Sega's largely unknown arcade masterpiece The Ocean Hunter, but still, it's rude to look a gift horse in the mouth -- or, rather, to look a free game in the drearily repetitive gameplay. If you haven't done it yet, today is your last chance to download Undertow on the XBLA marketplace for the cost of zilch. Who knows, you may dig it -- and if all it costs is a moment of your time to pick up, isn't it worth checking out? Let us know if free was the right price for the game -- and if it served as an appropriate apology for the recent hiccups in the Xbox Live service.

JoystiqReminder: Last chance to download Undertow for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeChair-EntertainmentchairentertainmentoceanhuntershooterundertowxblaXbox-360xboxliveSun, 27 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Last chance to download free Undertow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/last-chance-to-download-free-undertow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/last-chance-to-download-free-undertow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/last-chance-to-download-free-undertow/#commentsFiled under: ,

For the fanboys of the world who tend to procrastinate and drag their downloading feet, they should know that their chance to download a free copy of XBLA game Undertow is about to expire.

Microsoft's apology download Undertow has been a free game download since Wednesday, January 23rd and will continue to be free until this evening. Then, tonight at 11:59PM pacific, Microsoft will be flipping the switch and revert Undertow back to its 800 Microsoft point price tag. So, if you have yet to get your download on, we advise getting your bum on the couch and scheduling two minutes out of your Sunday to head to the XBLM and download Undertow. Now, if you miss out, you have nobody else to blame but yourself and possibly your parents for handing down lazy genetics.

JoystiqLast chance to download free Undertow originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>undertowxblaSun, 27 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Undertow a free download until Sunday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/reminder-undertow-a-free-download-until-sunday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/reminder-undertow-a-free-download-until-sunday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/reminder-undertow-a-free-download-until-sunday/#commentsFiled under: ,

Just a reminder that Microsoft's apology gift for Live being "fickle" this holiday has just arrived. Their gift, the full version of Xbox Live Arcade game Undertow, is now a free download off the Marketplace. Undertow will remain free for only a limited time though, so we advise commencing the download process as soon as possible so you don't forget. Because when the clock strikes midnight pacific on Sunday, January 27th, the free Undertow offer will disappear into the deep, dark bowels of the Atlantic ocean, never to be seen again. And for those fanboys who already own Undertow, remember to give MS support a ring today, tell them your story and you'll be rewarded with 800 MS points instead. Free goodies for all!

JoystiqReminder: Undertow a free download until Sunday originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>undertowxblaWed, 23 Jan 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Own Undertow? Call MS to get another free goodie]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/own-undertow-call-ms-to-get-another-free-goodie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/own-undertow-call-ms-to-get-another-free-goodie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/own-undertow-call-ms-to-get-another-free-goodie/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So, Undertow will be a free download to both gold and silver Xbox Live subscribers tomorrow, but what about those who already the game? Are they not worthy of another apology download option? Shouldn't they get another form of compensation since they've already plopped 800 MS points down on Undertow ? Well, the answer is ... yes.

Major Nelson posted a comment telling those who already own Undertow to "contact [Xbox] support" and that "they will take care of you." By taking care of us we don't expect free pizza for a year or a massage, but we do expect either free MS points or another XBLA download. Bottom line, if you've previously purchased Undertow and want another form of compensation for the Xbox Live downtime, get on the tele and make a call to Xbox customer support. State your case and ask (politely) for other compensation. Like Major said, they'll take care of you.

[Thanks, LHarmon]

JoystiqOwn Undertow? Call MS to get another free goodie originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>undertowxblaxbox-liveTue, 22 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[This Wednesday: Just Undertow (but this time it's free)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/this-wednesday-just-undertow-but-this-time-its-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/this-wednesday-just-undertow-but-this-time-its-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/this-wednesday-just-undertow-but-this-time-its-free/#commentsFiled under:

While we're always pleased to get our scarred, scabbed hands on free stuff we hate to give up one of our precious Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays to do it. Major Nelson confirmed with our pals at X3F that this Wednesday's featured game would in fact be Undertow (again), but of course they're giving it away for free to say "sowwy" for all those ugly Xbox Live problems. So, no Rez HD or whatnot for you this week ...

For those of you who've already purchased Undertow, we also wanted to direct your attention to this comment by Xbox Live's Major Nelson: "If you have already purchased the game, you can contact support and they will take care of you." We imagine by "take care of you" he means "provide you with a code for a similarly priced game" and not "outfit you with a pair of cement shoes and send you into the drink." But hey, be careful when you call up, okay?

Gallery: Undertow (XBLA)

JoystiqThis Wednesday: Just Undertow (but this time it's free) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chair-EntertainmentshooterUndertowXBLAXBLAWednesdayXbox-360Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Undertow is this week's XBLA release, bummer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/free-undertow-is-this-weeks-xbla-release-bummer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/free-undertow-is-this-weeks-xbla-release-bummer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/free-undertow-is-this-weeks-xbla-release-bummer/#commentsFiled under: ,

Today's press release about the XBLA Awards also mentioned that this week Undertow would be a free download starting Wednesday, which wasn't any new news to us. But uncharacteristically missing from the XBLA press release was any information about a new Arcade game releasing for the week. So, we sent out a query to the powers that be to see if we would be getting new XBLA love on Wednesday. Coming to our rescue was the always timely Major Nelson who gave us the bad news confirming that there will be no new XBLA release this week, just some free Undertow. That means there will be no rumored Rez HD or Chessmaster Live gaming for you. Oh well, there's always next Wednesday ... sigh.

JoystiqFree Undertow is this week's XBLA release, bummer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>undertowxblaxbox-liveMon, 21 Jan 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft apologizes for Xbox Live issues with free Undertow download]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/microsoft-apologizes-for-xbox-live-issues-with-free-undertow-dow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/microsoft-apologizes-for-xbox-live-issues-with-free-undertow-dow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/microsoft-apologizes-for-xbox-live-issues-with-free-undertow-dow/#commentsFiled under:

undertow
Nothing says "sorry" like a free game, and so, due to previous - and reportedly ongoing - Xbox Live service issues, Microsoft is going to offer Undertow free for download beginning next Wednesday, at 2 am PST, through Sunday. Two weeks ago, Xbox Live GM Marc Whitten posted a letter to Live subscribers apologizing for poor performance during the holidays and promising a freebie was on the way. There are currently no plans to offer a substitute game for those who already own Undertow.

Gallery: Undertow (XBLA)

JoystiqMicrosoft apologizes for Xbox Live issues with free Undertow download originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewschairChair-EntertainmentshooterundertowxblaXbox-360xbox-liveFri, 18 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Undertow to make up for Live problems next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/free-undertow-to-make-up-for-live-problems-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/free-undertow-to-make-up-for-live-problems-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/free-undertow-to-make-up-for-live-problems-next-week/#commentsFiled under:


Major Nelson just pinged us to let us know that Undertow has been pegged as the game that will be offered for free as an apology for the recent troubles on Xbox Live. If your unfamiliar with the game, it's essentially a 2D version of Battlefield ... only underwater. Players engage in class-based shooter action in order to capture control points and drain their opponents' resources. It's also one of the best looking games on Xbox Live Arcade and supports 16 players online. To put it simply: it was a good choice by Microsoft. The game will be free for download starting next Wednesday, January 23 at 2:00 am Pacific and will remain free through Sunday, January 27 at 11:59 am Pacific.

The big question is whether or not this $10 game will serve to quiet the angry throngs of gamers that have been denied their Xbox Live. Come to think of it, the bigger question may be whether or not those who download Undertow will actually be able to play it online next week. Let's hope so.

JoystiqFree Undertow to make up for Live problems next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chairchair-entertainment-groupundertowxblaxbox-liveFri, 18 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Last chance: win Undertow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/last-chance-win-undertow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/last-chance-win-undertow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/last-chance-win-undertow/#commentsFiled under:


This is it, your very, very last chance to win a copy of the XBLA underwater adventure Undertow. Hopefully, you remembered to enter once a day and maximize your chances of winning. Of course, if you didn't, there's nothing you can do about it now. In fact, it's really kind of cruel for us to even mention it .... Anyway, head on over to the official giveaway post and submit your entry.

Oh, and sorry about the who "maximize your chances of winning" thing. That was mean.

JoystiqLast chance: win Undertow originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fanswagundertowxblaFri, 21 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: win Undertow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/reminder-win-undertow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/reminder-win-undertow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/reminder-win-undertow/#commentsFiled under:


Hey kids! Just a quick reminder that you still have a chance to win a super-neato and keen copy of Undertow for that new-fangled Xbox Live Arcade everyone is raving about. The poop on the street is that this game is hip with all of today's youngsters. If you'd like to be the first one on your block to nab a copy, just head on over to the official giveaway post and submit your entry. And remember, drink your Ovaltine you can submit one entry per day, so get to it. Should you win, remember to be careful. We wouldn't want you to shoot your eye out with a harpoon gun after all.

[Original image: foundphotoslj]

JoystiqReminder: win Undertow originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fanswagfanswag-weeklyundertowxblaThu, 20 Dec 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fanswag Weekly: Undertow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/fanswag-weekly-undertow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/fanswag-weekly-undertow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/fanswag-weekly-undertow/#commentsFiled under:


Hey kids, Fanswag Weekly is back this week with a copy of Undertow for Xbox Live Arcade. Something like a mix between Geometry Wars and Battlefield, Undertow tasks your underwater faction with taking control of certain territories. It's a lot of fun and easily one of the most graphically impressive games available for XBLA (this sucker uses the Unreal 2 engine, after all). If you'd like to get your hands on a free download code for Undertow, all you have to do is follow the instructions below.
  • Undertow takes place under the sea. Leave a comment on this post telling us what your favorite sea creature is and why. You can leave one comment per calendar day (Eastern Time).
  • Be sure you only leave one comment per day. Posters of multiple comments during the same day will be disqualified. We'll accept entries until Friday, December 21, 12:00pm Noon, Eastern Time. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only
  • On Friday, we'll pick one winner via a random drawing
  • One winner will each receive a download code for Undertow, worth $10
Delve into the icy depths of the official rules by clicking here.

JoystiqFanswag Weekly: Undertow originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fanswagfanswag-weeklyundertowxblaWed, 19 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Undertow now available on the XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/undertow-now-available-on-the-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/undertow-now-available-on-the-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/undertow-now-available-on-the-xbla/#commentsFiled under: ,

Available for download off of the Xbox Live Arcade is Chair Entertainment Group's brand new and freshly baked XBLA game Undertow. This arcade underwater shooting adventure will set you back 800 Microsoft points and includes all kinds of goods including sixteen player Xbox Live battles, co-op campaign and explosive graphics. Undertow. It's kind of like Atlantis meets World War II ... but not really at all.

JoystiqUndertow now available on the XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>undertowxblaWed, 21 Nov 2007 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Undertow finds its way to the XBLA this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/undertow-finds-its-way-to-the-xbla-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/undertow-finds-its-way-to-the-xbla-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/undertow-finds-its-way-to-the-xbla-this-week/#commentsFiled under: ,

We kind of knew this last month, but not it's official and now we can chalk one up for developers not being wrong about an XBLA game's release date. W00t for them!

The underwater adventure game of wetness Undertow is this week's XBLA release and for 800 Microsoft points it promises "non-stop conquest-style battles" that "push the envelope of onscreen effects and combat action". Intense stuff, we know. Undertow has already received some, so we'll see if the game's multiplayer and overall underwater feel deem it worthy enough of our 800 points and official X3F stamp of approval. But we aren't giving out awards or committing to a purchase until Wednesday. Sit tight, Undertow is near.

JoystiqUndertow finds its way to the XBLA this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>undertowxblaTue, 20 Nov 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[This Wednesday: Undertow washes ashore on XBLA island]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/this-wednesday-undertow-washes-ashore-on-xbla-island/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/this-wednesday-undertow-washes-ashore-on-xbla-island/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/this-wednesday-undertow-washes-ashore-on-xbla-island/#commentsFiled under: ,

Although the hubbub may be about the new, downloadable Halo 3 maps socking it to you next month, Microsoft also used today's announcement to remind us that we'll finally be seeing Undertow on the Xbox Live Arcade this week. As you can see from the above trailer, it's basically BioShock meets Aquaman meets shooting things. ... Or something.

But this XBLA release got our old friend Stephen Totilo wondering: How do publishers make the most of their 50 XBLA megabytes? He got the answer to his question recently, via a pie chart from developer Chair Entertainment. If you're part of the tiny subset of the human race curious about this sort of thing (yes, that includes us), you can check out the breakdown right here.

JoystiqThis Wednesday: Undertow washes ashore on XBLA island originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chairChair-EntertainmentshooterundertowxblaXBLAWednesdayXbox-360Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Undertow dives into XBLA Nov. 21]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/undertow-dives-into-xbla-nov-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/undertow-dives-into-xbla-nov-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/undertow-dives-into-xbla-nov-21/#commentsFiled under: ,

Aquatic shooter Undertow goes 20,000 leagues under the sea beginning Nov. 21 on Xbox Live arcade. The fifteen-level campaign with co-op will also have multiplayer modes supporting up to sixteen people. A basic gameplay trailer can be found above and a more elaborate trailer can be found after the break. We already feel bad for some of the smaller games coming out during this jam packed holiday season, but we feel even worse for the XBLA titles screaming for attention in all the fracas.

Continue reading Undertow dives into XBLA Nov. 21

JoystiqUndertow dives into XBLA Nov. 21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chair-EntertainmentshooterundertowxblaXbox-360xboxlivearcadeFri, 02 Nov 2007 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Undertow will swim to the XBLA Nov 21st]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/undertow-will-swim-to-the-xbla-nov-21st/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/undertow-will-swim-to-the-xbla-nov-21st/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/undertow-will-swim-to-the-xbla-nov-21st/#commentsFiled under: ,


Undertow, the 3D sidescrolling, XBLA swimming adventure of Atlantis saving fun now has an official release date, so get out your waterproof writing instrument and mark your calendar. Developer Chair Entertainment promises a November 21st Undertow release which they announced with the help of a new game trailer (embedded above). Note the spiffy cutscenes, the underwater havoc, splitscreen gameplay and the chick who proclaims "Atlantis must not fall!" This could be a keeper fanboys and lucky for us, we only have to wait a few more weeks to see.

JoystiqUndertow will swim to the XBLA Nov 21st originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chairundertowxblaFri, 02 Nov 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Undertow, Puzzle Fighter rated by ESRB]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/undertow-puzzle-fighter-rated-by-esrb/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/undertow-puzzle-fighter-rated-by-esrb/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/undertow-puzzle-fighter-rated-by-esrb/#commentsFiled under:


The ESRB database has been updated with several new Xbox 360 titles. Most notable among these are the Xbox Live Arcade releases, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (E) and Undertow (E10+ oh noes!). Also rated was Dynasty Warriors: Gundam, a title with which we are completely unfamiliar. A quick look around the internet reveals that it's exactly what it sounds like: Dynasty Warriors with giant mechs instead of human warriors. Also rated was Hour of Victory, which recently had a (terrible) demo released on Xbox Live Marketplace. We already knew Puzzle Fighter was planned as a July release, but this may mean that Undertow will be coming sooner than we thought. Let's hope so; we can't wait to try out underwater Battlefield.

[Via GameStooge]

JoystiqUndertow, Puzzle Fighter rated by ESRB originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeesrblive arcadeLiveArcadepuzzle fighterPuzzleFightersuper puzzle fighter ii turbo hd remixSuperPuzzleFighterIiTurboHdRemixundertowxblaxbox live arcadeXboxLiveArcadeFri, 22 Jun 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie dev Chair signs exclusive deal with Epic, new Undertow images]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/indie-dev-chair-signs-exclusive-deal-with-epic-new-undertow-ima/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/indie-dev-chair-signs-exclusive-deal-with-epic-new-undertow-ima/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/indie-dev-chair-signs-exclusive-deal-with-epic-new-undertow-ima/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

undertow
Despite 2005's disastrous Advent Rising, which was built on Unreal Engine 2.0, Chair Entertainment will continue to use Epic's tech ... for-ev-AR. The indie developer has signed an exclusive deal with Epic to license Unreal Engine for all current and future projects. While the deal extends across the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 platforms (no Unreal for Wii, remember?), Undertow, Xbox Live Arcade's submerged shooter, is the studio's only project known to be in development (not that we've been holding our breath for the rest of the canned Advent trilogy).

As previously disclosed, Undertow will feature both a 15-level campaign (with co-op support) and a pair of 16-player multiplayer modes, packed tight like shredded tuna into the old 50MB XBLA standard. Undertow is tentatively scheduled for release this summer.

[Via press release]

Gallery: Undertow (XBLA)

JoystiqIndie dev Chair signs exclusive deal with Epic, new Undertow images originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chairChair-EntertainmentepicEpic-GamesmulitplayerPCps3shooterundertowunrealunreal-engineunreal-engine-3xblaXbox-360Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Unreal Engine 3-based Undertow coming to XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/24/unreal-engine-3-based-undertow-coming-to-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/24/unreal-engine-3-based-undertow-coming-to-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/24/unreal-engine-3-based-undertow-coming-to-xbla/#commentsFiled under: ,

After the big budget (and disappointing sales) of Advent Rising, Chair Entertainment has set its sights on the much more manageable Xbox Live Arcade platform with their latest project, Undertow. Like RoboBlitz (oh, and Gears of War), Undertow uses Unreal Engine 3 to bring the pretty. The game will feature a 15-level single player and co-op campaign and two multiplayer modes for up to 16 players, but how does it play? IGN does their best Hollywood pitch, describing it as "Geometry Wars meets Battlefield," 3D graphics with 2D gameplay. Undertow is scheduled to be released on Xbox Live this summer ... if the certification gremlins don't get in the way.

JoystiqUnreal Engine 3-based Undertow coming to XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChairChair-EntertainmentshooterUndertowunreal-engine-3XBLAXbox-360Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Undertow: underwater Battlefield in 2D]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/undertow-underwater-battlefield-in-2d/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/undertow-underwater-battlefield-in-2d/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/undertow-underwater-battlefield-in-2d/#commentsFiled under: ,


When thinking up Xbox Live Arcade games, an underwater, two-dimensional game of Battlefield isn't on the top of the list. No, mostly we think of retro titles and simple action affairs. However, if Chair Entertainment has anything to say about it, Undertow could change that. IGN got a chance to preview the game and came away impressed. Set in a future where the earth is entirely underwater, Undertow plays much like Geometry Wars. The left stick controls movement and the right stick fires and aims weapons. Undertow is more than an arcade style shooter, though. It adds a team-based dynamic into the mix, requiring teams to capture bases. Bases are captured much as they are in Battlefield. Players must hover near them for a certain amount of time. The first team to capture all bases (or force the opposing team to drain their reserves) wins. The game has three factions from which to choose: the Atlantians (merpeople), Nemodians (think 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) and the Iron Marines (the normal human faction). There are several classes, ranging from light and nimble to slow and powerful. Coupled with nice graphics, interesting map design, a single-player campaign, and 16-player online multiplayer, Undertow could be making quite a splash when it releases (sorry, we couldn't resist).

JoystiqUndertow: underwater Battlefield in 2D originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadechair entertainmentChairEntertainmentlive arcadeLiveArcadeundertowxblaxbox live arcadeXboxLiveArcadeMon, 23 Apr 2007 16:15:00 EST