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[X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Darwinia+]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/x3f-tv-xbla-in-brief-darwinia-plus/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/x3f-tv-xbla-in-brief-darwinia-plus/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/x3f-tv-xbla-in-brief-darwinia-plus/#commentsFiled under:

This week on Xbox Live Arcade, Darwinia+ finally, finally makes its way onto Microsoft's download service. It's been a very long time coming, but now it's here for everyone to enjoy. There's plenty to enjoy, too, as the game contains both the original Darwinia and the multiplayer version, Multiwinia. See what all the hubbub is about in the latest XBLA in Brief, then decide if you want to plunk down the 1200 ($15) entrance fee.

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Darwinia+ [via Xbox.com]

[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.
[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly.
[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[M4V] Download the M4V directly.

JoystiqX3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Darwinia+ originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DarwiniaDarwinia-PlusIntroversion-SoftwareRTSStrategyXBLAWed, 10 Feb 2010 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[This Wednesday: Darwinia+ invades XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/this-wednesday-darwinia-invades-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/this-wednesday-darwinia-invades-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/this-wednesday-darwinia-invades-xbla/#comments Well, folks, it's been a long wait but it's finally here. After first being rumored nearly four years ago, Darwinia+ is due to hit Xbox Live Arcade in only two more days. We're sure that the game's fans are pleased to hear the news, as is developer Introversion. After all, the company has a lot riding on Darwinia's XBLA outing.

The game features a single-player campaign, online multiplayer for four players and plenty of sweet, retro stylings. Taking cues from real-time strategy, god games and, oh, let's say Tron, Darwinia has players controlling squads of 2D sprite characters called Darwinians as they battle an evil computer virus. The original PC version of the game took home the grand prize at the 2006 Independent Games Festival.

The price of admission is 1200 ($15).

JoystiqThis Wednesday: Darwinia+ invades XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DarwiniaDarwinia-PlusIntroversion-SoftwareMicrosoftRTSStrategyxblaxblawednesdayXbox-360Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darwinia+ colonizes XBLA servers February 10]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/darwinia-colonizes-xbla-servers-february-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/darwinia-colonizes-xbla-servers-february-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/darwinia-colonizes-xbla-servers-february-10/#commentsThough Microsoft's XBLA Shadow Force has the real final say over when games are released on the company's digital distribution service, Introversion recently announced on its forums that its upcoming action RTS, Darwinia+, will be set free on February 10 -- set free for $15 (1200).

Introversion has made a strong plea for your support, citing a "minimum sales figure" that "has to be achieved" in order for the independent studio to carry on. A better reason to buy Darwinia+ -- which features both Darwinia and Multiwinia in all its plusitude -- is simply that it's pretty fantastic.

Still not convinced? Check out the trailer above and those screens below. You're welcome.

Gallery: Darwinia+

JoystiqDarwinia+ colonizes XBLA servers February 10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DarwiniaDarwinia-PlusIntroversion-SoftwareMicrosoftMultiwiniaRelease-dateRTSStrategyXBLAXbox-360Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darwinia dev on PSN/XBLA differences, PSN challenges]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/darwinia-dev-on-psn-xbla-differences-psn-challenges/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/darwinia-dev-on-psn-xbla-differences-psn-challenges/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/darwinia-dev-on-psn-xbla-differences-psn-challenges/#comments Speaking to CVG, Darwinia+ developer Introversion spoke to the differences between Xbox Live Arcade and PSN, as well as the realities of game development. Regarding why Darwinia+ is an XBLA exclusive, Introversion's Mark Morris noted that independent developers "have to go with whatever [they're] offered," though he'd like to see the game on both platforms. According to Morris, XBLA is preferable because Microsoft greenlight's games from the beginning. "As long as you deliver what you said you'd deliver you're going to launch," said Morris, whereas Sony approves a potential PSN project later in the process, meaning a developer's hard work could eventually be rejected.

Concerning Introversion's current status, Morris noted that the company's future is riding entirely on Darwinia+. He said the game has a "minimum sales figure" that "has to be achieved." If not, said Morris, "Then we don't have enough money to continue going - simple as that." That said, he added that Darwinia+ doesn't have to be a "a massive runaway success," elaborating that performance would have to be roughly equivalent to Jeff Minter's Space Giraffe (an achievable goal if we've ever heard one).

Assuming Introversion stays afloat, its next project will be called Subversion, which utilizes automatic city generation. The developer has previously hinted that Subversion may release on both PC and XBLA.

JoystiqDarwinia dev on PSN/XBLA differences, PSN challenges originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessDarwiniaDarwinia-PlusIntroversion-SoftwareMicrosoftPSNRTSStrategyXBLAXbox-360Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Here are your Darwinia+ Achievements]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/30/here-are-your-darwinia-achievements/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/30/here-are-your-darwinia-achievements/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/30/here-are-your-darwinia-achievements/#comments Now that Darwinia+ has passed Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade certification process, you likely have your passport ready for the upcoming trip to Darwinia's action RTS battlefields. According to Xbox 360 Achievements, lending a helping hand to your stick brethren in need won't just net you the warm fuzzies, but will also reward you with some Gamerscore.

There's 200 to be had in total, rewarding players for things like saving Darwinians, crushing invading ant hordes and winning matches on every map in the game. It's a nice, varied list that doesn't look like it encourages too much grinding -- well, except for the Stick Man Slaughter Achievement, which requires you to kill 65,536 enemies.

JoystiqHere are your Darwinia+ Achievements originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsdarwiniagamerscoreIntroversionintroversion-softwareMicrosoftrtsxblaXbox-360xbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 30 Dec 2009 01:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Darwinia+ for XBLA passes Microsoft certification]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/darwinia-for-xbla-passes-microsoft-certification/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/darwinia-for-xbla-passes-microsoft-certification/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/darwinia-for-xbla-passes-microsoft-certification/#comments You may not have to wait too long after Christmas for Darwinia+ on Xbox Live Arcade, because Introversion Software says the game has passed Microsoft's certification process. It's been a long time coming and you can bet we're glad to finally see those little stick men at the end of the tunnel.

If you're wondering what all of the hubbub is about, then we suggest you check out this free demo of the PC version over at Big Download.

JoystiqDarwinia+ for XBLA passes Microsoft certification originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DarwiniaDarwinia-PlusIntroversion-SoftwareMicrosoftRTSStrategyXBLAXbox-360Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Introversion: Darwinia+ on XBLA after Christmas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/introversion-darwinia-on-xbla-after-christmas/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/introversion-darwinia-on-xbla-after-christmas/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/introversion-darwinia-on-xbla-after-christmas/#comments
 Darwinia creator Introversion announced during this week's Eurogamer Expo that its upcoming Darwinia+ should arrive on Xbox Live Arcade by "the next side of Christmas." The game should be submitted to Microsoft certification in the coming weeks, hopefully ensuring a release early next year. Darwinia devotees will remember that the game began its journey to XBLA all the way back in 2006, and, according to Eurogamer, Introversion isn't exactly happy about it.

The company's Chris Delay noted that Microsoft required several changes to the game, most notably the inclusion of multiplayer. Said Delay, "We were trying to satisfy Microsoft. That's the most awful motivation in the world for making a videogame." Here's hoping the developer's devotion to bringing the game to XBLA has paid off.

JoystiqIntroversion: Darwinia+ on XBLA after Christmas originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darwiniaintroversionxblaWed, 28 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Darwinia avatar clothing revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/darwinia-avatar-clothing-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/darwinia-avatar-clothing-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/darwinia-avatar-clothing-revealed/#comments As PC indie-darling Darwinia takes the long way to consoles, it's time for developer Introversion to show off some Darwinia+ Avatar merchandise -- where the real money from the game is made. A couple weeks back the studio showed off two shirts that'll be available to Avatars at some point in the future, probably when the game finally launches.

Although we're not sure if the clothing items will cost anything on the Avatar Marketplace, it'd be pretty hard to resist the purchase of little Darwinians as a prop. They'd be so cute skittering about our virtual representation's feet.

JoystiqDarwinia avatar clothing revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatar-marketplacedarwiniaintroversionintroversion-softwareSun, 16 Aug 2009 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Introversion details Microsoft approval process for Darwinia+]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/introversion-details-microsoft-approval-process-for-darwinia/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/introversion-details-microsoft-approval-process-for-darwinia/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/introversion-details-microsoft-approval-process-for-darwinia/#comments
The XBLA approval process has always been a process shrouded in mystery ... until now. Developer Introversion, the folks behind upcoming XBLA game Darwinia+, are laying all the cards on the table -- design documents, internal emails, weekly reports, code from the game and even the project plan -- thus providing transparency of the XBLA approval process. Available on Introversion's website, the company has made it clear that it'll show "the good, the bad, and the very very very bad" that takes place during game development. "If we can show it to you -- we will."

Teaming up with GamesIndustry.biz, the company will also be regularly updating an ongoing series "critiquing the ongoing development process," and presumably helping those outside of Introversion to understand more intricately what has gone into creating Darwinia+. The game is set to release internally on September 24, so with any luck we'll see it not too long afterward.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

JoystiqIntroversion details Microsoft approval process for Darwinia+ originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darwiniagamesindustry.bizintroversionMicrosoftxblaxbla-approvalXbox-360Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Multiwinia preview shows off pixelated mayhem]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/multiwinia-preview-shows-off-pixelated-mayhem/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/multiwinia-preview-shows-off-pixelated-mayhem/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/multiwinia-preview-shows-off-pixelated-mayhem/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Introversion devotees know exactly what Multiwinia is and why they should be excited, but many others might not remember the multiplayer update to award-winning strategy title Darwinia, due out this September. Both parties should check out Rock Paper Shotgun's extensive preview of Multiwinia, showing off just how hardcore the adorable little flat sprites can be.

Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest will feature the usual smattering of multiplayer modes, built upon the stellar gameplay and gorgeous aesthetic that made Darwinia an instant Joystiq classic. Gameplay modes will include Darwinian twists on deathmatch, king of the hill, capture the flag, territories, and a few more modes unique to the Darwinia universe. We can't wait to wage tiny, tiny war.

JoystiqMultiwinia preview shows off pixelated mayhem originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DarwiniaDarwinia-PlusIntroversion-SoftwareMicrosoftmultiwiniaPCRTSStrategyXBLAXbox-360Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Darwinia+ confirmed for XBLA, lands this Fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/darwinia-confirmed-for-xbla-lands-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/darwinia-confirmed-for-xbla-lands-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/darwinia-confirmed-for-xbla-lands-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: ,


So, should we expect all PC-to-XBLA ports to add a plus sign to their titles and call it a day now? Nominal concerns aside, Introversion Software has acknowledged the ESRB rating of Darwinia for the Xbox 360 and confirmed the existence of the title. The game will be titled Darwinia+ and will include both the original Darwinia and the upcoming multiplayer expansion, Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest. Details are sparse, apart from the fact that Darwinia+ should hit XBLA in Fall 2008

For those who don't have the patience to wait that long, we suggest you snag the demo from Introversion, which is available for Mac, PC, and Linux.

JoystiqDarwinia+ confirmed for XBLA, lands this Fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darwiniaintroversionintroversion-softwarexblaWed, 26 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darwinia 360 finally rated by ESRB]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/darwinia-360-finally-rated-by-esrb/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/darwinia-360-finally-rated-by-esrb/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/darwinia-360-finally-rated-by-esrb/#commentsFiled under:

Well that took a while. After being rumored for Xbox Live Arcade nearly two years ago, Darwinia from Introversion has been rated by the ESRB for Xbox 360. While we don't have any more solid details regarding the 360 version of the game -- believed to be an XBLA title -- the ESRB rating gives us hope that it won't be too long before we start to hear more about the title (or better yet, get a chance to actually play it).

For those that haven't played it, the gameplay is regarded as somewhat hard to classify, so we've embedded a trailer in the hopes that it might clarify things a bit (hint: it doesn't, but the game sure looks fun).

[Via XBLArcade]

JoystiqDarwinia 360 finally rated by ESRB originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darwiniaesrbintroversionxblaMon, 24 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darwinia to evolve on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/darwinia-to-evolve-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/darwinia-to-evolve-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/darwinia-to-evolve-on-xbla/#commentsFiled under: ,


According to the German blog Xbox Archiv, Microsoft and Introversion Software are in negotiations to bring the highly regarded PC title Darwinia to Xbox Live Arcade. Apparently, they got the info directly from MS (Deutsch speakers please provide a respectable translation). It's by no means a done deal, but let's hope it happens. This stylish budget RTS/puzzler was widely praised last August for it's cool art design, addictive gameplay and general retro appeal -- all the stuff that makes a great XBLA game.

[Thanks Papa Moll]

JoystiqDarwinia to evolve on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darwiniaretroxblaWed, 07 Jun 2006 01:00:00 EST