Joystiq

Runner2 out tomorrow on Wii U and Steam, Wednesday on Xbox Live

Mike Schramm — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:00:00 EST

Gaijin Games' Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien sequel was submitted to its various platforms earlier this month, but we now have official dates and prices for the title, courtesy of Gaijin's co-founder Alex Neuse himself. CommanderVideo will start his run on the Wii U and Steam (for PC, Mac, and Linux) tomorrow, February 26, and then be available on Xbox Live on Wednesday of this week, February 27.

The PSN, iOS, and Vita releases are coming later: Neuse says "hopefully March 5" for the PSN release, "but Early March for sure!" iOS and Vita versions are due out sometime this summer. The game will be $14.99 no matter what platform you buy it on, and Neuse notes that there's still a few hours for a Steam preorder if you want the various bonuses and discounts. If you've been waiting a long time to hear the voice of Charles Martinet narrate the long-awaited BIT.TRIP sequel, your wait is almost over.

Update: March 5 on PSN is confirmed, according to Gaijin's other co-founder, Mike Roush.

Runner2 out tomorrow on Wii U and Steam, Wednesday on Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Charles Martinet narrating Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien

David Hinkle — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:15:00 EST

I met with Alex Neuse and Mike Roush last week to demo Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, the sequel to WiiWare free-runner, Bit.Trip Runner. Upon booting up the game, I noticed a familiar-sounding voice was behind the narration work, none other than the voice of Mario himself, Charles Martinet.

I also noticed he introduces himself before the title screen so that also kind of gave it away.

"For the first time, we're allowing the press to talk about his involvement in the game - if you want to," Gaijin Games' Alex Neuse said at the outset of our time together at a demo event last week. "He does all the narration for all of the cutscenes and the advertisement in the beginning."

The advertisement in question was a fake, jaunty little number for tooth barnacle cleaner that was reminiscent of the fake ads found in You Don't Know Jack. In total, there are about 10 different advertisements players will see, all voiced by Martinet.

Charles Martinet narrating Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go see Hecker, Neuse and Blow speak at UC Santa Cruz next week

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:30:00 EST

Between Jonathan Blow, Chris Hecker and Alex Neuse, the University of California Santa Cruz panel being held next week should be chock full of interesting, honest discussion from the trio of all-star indie developers. The group is being gathered to speak for UCSC's "Foundations of Interactive Game Design" class on May 26, though the panel is open to the public. The discussion is being moderated by associate professor Noah Wardrip-Fruin.

As for what's being discussed, your guess is as good as ours. Hecker describes it as "an open panel discussion" and notes that his game SpyParty unfortunately won't be on-hand for attendees. Blow separately confirmed to us that he doesn't plan on having his studio's next game, The Witness, at the event either. Bit.Trip series co-developer Alex Neuse didn't get back to us before this post was run, but it stands to reason that his next game, Laserlife, won't make an appearance either.

That isn't to say you should miss the talk, which will assuredly be thought provoking. And hey, if you're that worried about getting a chance to play SpyParty, why not sign up for the beta? That worked out pretty well with you and Minecraft, right?

Continue reading Go see Hecker, Neuse and Blow speak at UC Santa Cruz next week

Go see Hecker, Neuse and Blow speak at UC Santa Cruz next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The indie origins of the Portal 2 'Potato Sack' ARG

JC Fletcher — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST

For fans, the recent Portal 2 ARG began with the discovery of unexpected, hidden messages within the "Potato Sack" bundle of indie games. As it happens, the project's development also started with a mysterious missive -- to the developers of those games.

"Dude, it was so rad," Alex Neuse, CEO of Bit.Trip Beat developer Gaijin Games told Joystiq. "[Valve] contacted a bunch of independent developers -- like a whole bunch. They contacted a bunch of us and said, 'Hey, we're thinking of doing something wacky up here at Valve, and we were wondering if you'd be interested in coming up here and talking to us about it.' And that was about it."

Gallery: Bit.Trip Beat (Portal cameo)

Continue reading The indie origins of the Portal 2 'Potato Sack' ARG

The indie origins of the Portal 2 'Potato Sack' ARG originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gaijin Games' 'laserlife' on hold, will 'probably' go to Move/Kinect

Justin McElroy — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:15:00 EST

We were really intrigued by the concept video for Gaijin Games' laserlife (see it for yourself just after the break), a game that allows you to relive a deceased astronaut's memories. In an interview with PCTuner.net user Floppy, studio boss Alex Neuse dropped the equally intriguing tidbit that, if completed, the game would likely be designed with Kinect or Move in mind. He added, "we've even toyed with bringing it to iPad."

Sadly, the project's on hold at the moment, but Neuse doesn't rule out returning to it later. We're keeping our fingers crossed, if only so we can see the part where the astronaut tries to get the Jupitarians out of their space dresses.

[Thanks, il giuda!]

Continue reading Gaijin Games' 'laserlife' on hold, will 'probably' go to Move/Kinect

Gaijin Games' 'laserlife' on hold, will 'probably' go to Move/Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gaijin not done with Bit.Trip games yet, working on title for 3DS launch

Mike Schramm — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:20:00 EST

Sad that Bit.Trip Flux is presumably the last game in the Bit.Trip series? Dry those eyes, pixel lover, because Gaijin Games seems to have something else up its sleeve. CEO Alex Neuse has confirmed that the series isn't quite over, though the developer is "not ready to make any specific announcements yet."

Neuse also told EGMi that the company is working on a title that "will be out within the launch window" of the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo told Joystiq that it "can't wait" to bring Bit.Trip Runner to the new handheld, but Neuse also said that whatever Gaijin does after Flux will be "something totally different" from the standard music/retro games we've seen from the it so far.

Gaijin's CEO does admit that he's making games for himself, and suggests that the next game or series the company puts out might put a twist on "a hugely popular game now," much like Bit.Trip Beat originally twisted the premise of Pong. So you heard it here first: the next game will be Red Dead Redemption, done Gaijin Games-style. We're looking forward to it!

Gaijin not done with Bit.Trip games yet, working on title for 3DS launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gaijin Games planning something 'totally different' after Bit.Trip

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:00:00 EST

Bit.Trip Fate just hit WiiWare and developer Gaijin Games still has another, unannounced Bit.Trip title to complete -- but that doesn't mean company CEO Alex Neuse isn't already looking even further into the future. In an interview with Extra Guy, Neuse teased, "After the Bit.Trip series is complete, you're going to see something totally different from us."

Rather than detail the studio's 3DS ambitions, Neuse chose to give an idea of what type of games Gaijin could work on next. "We definitely aren't a retro studio -- we don't only make retro games; we don't only make rhythm/music games. It just so happens that's the first thing we did."

Other than that, though, Neuse kept coy, only offering, "We're going to try to branch out a little bit and flex our creative and business muscle a little bit, and do something a little bit more ambitious than the stuff we've done so far." So, we're going to see Commander Video enter a fully-realized 3D urban sandbox crime drama, you know, with hookers? Is that what he's saying?

Gaijin Games planning something 'totally different' after Bit.Trip originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gaijin Games expects Bit. Trip Fate to be out on Oct. 18

JC Fletcher — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST

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

When asked by Nintendo Life to comment about the early release of Bit.Trip Fate's soundtrack (CDBaby, $6), Gaijin Games' Alex Neuse also offered a probable release date for the WiiWare game itself. "We don't have the final release date for Bit. Trip Fate just yet," Neuse said, "but if I were a betting man, I'd put my potato chips on Oct. 18 for a North American release. Or thereabouts."

As for that early soundtrack release: it was intentional, done partially "because we'd never done it that way before!" and because it was designed to help players "[build] a relationship with the more somber, darker theme."

Gallery: Bit. Trip Fate

Gaijin Games expects Bit. Trip Fate to be out on Oct. 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bit.Trip Beat hits iPhone, iPad on Sept. 30

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST

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

The long anticipated release of Gaijin Games' Bit.Trip Beat on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch is this Thursday, September 30. The glowing-finger-enabled dev Alex Neuse (seen above) announced as much with a toothy grin via the Gaijin blog this afternoon -- he later told us via email that the game will run $4.99 on iPhone/iPod Touch and $6.99 on iPad. Additionally, DLC will be available on day one, as will Game Center support.

Aside from new levels and an HD up-res of the graphics, the game will also be getting multiplayer support on iPhone/iPad. Take a peek at the gallery below and join us in rapt anticipation for Thursday morning, won't you?

Gallery: Bit.Trip Beat (iPhone/iPad)

Bit.Trip Beat hits iPhone, iPad on Sept. 30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gaijin Games: Bit.Trip Beat demo helped get sales 'on par with projections'

David Hinkle — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:20:00 EST

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

Try before you buy. It's a simple concept, and it's been a key element in marketing games this console generation -- at least on platforms that aren't WiiWare. But Nintendo did give demos a chance once upon a time ago and Gaijin Games' Bit.Trip Beat was one of five titles consumers could try free of cost. According to Gaijin Games, it helped.

Alex Neuse, CEO of Gaijin Games, told Joystiq that when the "demo was active," his company "started to see sales more on par with our projections." We've heard the same WiiWare story over and over again from developers and publishers: Nintendo doesn't promote; many Wii consoles aren't hooked up to the internet; nobody is buying these games. It's interesting that something as small as a playable demo could affect sales in such a positive manner.

"I think this is because Bit.Trip Beat is the type of game that people really have to play to understand," Neuse said in regards to the success of his demo. He went on to say that "a screenshot just doesn't do it justice" and that he's "sad to see that the demo program has ended."

We are, too -- WiiWare developers work very hard to create games and support the platform. It's gotta be frustrating when there's no reciprocation.

Gaijin Games: Bit.Trip Beat demo helped get sales 'on par with projections' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bit.Trip Beat DLC on iPhone/iPad will be Bit.Trip Void tracks

David Hinkle — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST

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

You know how we told you about DLC for the iPhone and iPad versions of Bit.Trip Beat a few days back? During an appointment with developer Gaijin Games here at PAX, CEO and designer Alex Neuse confirmed the exact nature of the DLC tracks: they're Bit.Trip Void songs!

He informed Joystiq that the tracks weren't actually being developed by Gaijin Games, but were instead being crafted by the iPhone/iPad version's publisher, Namco-Bandai. Neuse is looking forward to trying the new tracks, as you'd imagine -- it's not every day you have an opportunity to be stumped by your own game, you know?

Gallery: Bit.Trip Beat (iPhone/iPad)

Bit.Trip Beat DLC on iPhone/iPad will be Bit.Trip Void tracks originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gaijin Games 'can't wait' to work on Bit.Trip.Runner for 3DS

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:15:00 EST

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

Did you know that quite a few developers are working on games for the Nintendo 3DS? It's true! Here's this enormous list of games if you don't believe us. Not on that list, however, is Bit.Trip series developer Gaijin Games. That said, in a recent interview with Gamasutra, Nintendo executive VP of sales and marketing Cammie Dunaway said that the studio "can't wait" to start working on bringing Bit.Trip.Runner to the 3DS.

Just think about it: colors, explosions and music all working in tandem -- but in three dimensions! All kidding aside, the idea of Bit.Trip.Runner on the 3DS sounds like pure insanity. Pure, wonderful insanity.

Gaijin Games 'can't wait' to work on Bit.Trip.Runner for 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interview: Alex Neuse of Gaijin Games

JC Fletcher — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 07:30:00 EST

A Bit.Trip-themed party at LA's GR2 gallery/store served as an E3 kickoff of sorts for us, as we prepared to be dazzled by new games with a night of dazzling Bit.Trip games projected on the walls outside the store.

Gaijin Games CEO Alex Neuse took a break from watching attendees' minds be blown by the magnificence of gigantic Bit.Trip Runner to speak to Joystiq about the future of the Bit.Trip series, the successs of Runner, and being in awe of Tetsuya Mizuguchi. A note: the wink at the end will make more sense after you read that Gaijin announced an iPhone version of Bit.Trip Beat two days after we conducted this interview.

Joystiq: How's the party going?

Alex Neuse, Gaijin Games: The party's pretty fun! It kinda started off slow, and I thought maybe no one's going to come, but now it's filled out and I couldn't be happier. I really like playing the games all big on the buildings, but the most fun for me is talking to fans of the series and to see how much they really care for it. I'd say it's going really well tonight.

Are the games any easier on the big screen?

Man, I wonder. You know, they might be. They just might be. But they're harder with a crowd of people pressuring you to beat the boss of level 1 in Runner.

Continue reading Interview: Alex Neuse of Gaijin Games

Interview: Alex Neuse of Gaijin Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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