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[EA Indie Bundle challenges your definitions, is live on Steam now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ea-indie-bundle-challenges-your-definitions-is-live-on-steam-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ea-indie-bundle-challenges-your-definitions-is-live-on-steam-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ea-indie-bundle-challenges-your-definitions-is-live-on-steam-no/#comments ImageThe EA Indie Bundle (yes, we assure you, it is barely-100-percent-mostly-ish possible for EA to have an indie bundle) is live on Steam, offering 70 percent off a package of six titles from four indie developers, or half off each individual game.

Included in the sale is Warp, Shank, Shank 2, DeathSpank, DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue and Gatling Gears. The DeathSpank titles are $7.50 individually and are available on PC and Mac through Steamplay, while the rest of EA's indies cost $5 and are PC only.

Indie Game Magazine first spotted the bundle in the super-secret Steam registry files this morning. The sale is now officially on, set to disappear from Steam in one week on May 9.

JoystiqEA Indie Bundle challenges your definitions, is live on Steam now originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundleDeathSpankDeathSpank-Thongs-of-VirtueEAElectronic-ArtsGatling-GearsHothead-GamesIndieindie-bundleklei-entertainmentmacpcsaleshankshank-2STEAMtrapdoor-incVanguard-GameswarpWed, 02 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo's Descendants]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/diablos-descendants/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/diablos-descendants/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/diablos-descendants/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

This is a weekly column focusing on "Western" role-playing games: their stories, their histories, their mechanics, their insanity, and their inanity.
With Diablo 3's release date set, I decided to take a look back as the series' legacy --and play some of the better Western-style action/role-playing games around. Last week I talked about how Fallout, not Diablo, became the model for a generation of blockbuster role-playing games.

But Diablo did wield some influence. The first initial wave of clones didn't make much of a splash, but around the time Diablo II came out in 2000, the action/RPG style began to grab more attention. In 2002, Dungeon Siege and Divine Divinity were both released to some acclaim, but they never really fit the model of a Diablo clone. Dungeon Siege was as much Ultima VII and Baldur's Gate as it was Diablo, while Divine Divinity merged many concepts from Fallout and similar games with a real-time core. Missing from both? The constant clicking that, to me, defined Diablo.

Continue reading Diablo's Descendants

JoystiqDiablo's Descendants originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastiondeathspankdiablodiablo-3divine-divinitypcrowan-kaiserrpgtitan-questTue, 27 Mar 2012 20:12:00 EST<![CDATA[The Baconing review: Hacked and slashed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/the-baconing-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/the-baconing-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/the-baconing-review/#comments "The only constant in this world is change." Wait, no, that doesn't work. "You can't change the past, but you can work to change the future." Nope, that doesn't do the trick either. "War. War never changes." No, wrong game. Hm. Here's the thing: The Baconing has a lot more of the same DeathSpank flavor you're likely used to, but without a lot of the stuff that made DeathSpank good. I guess there's not a cliched "change" quote that quite works there, huh?

Sure, the self-obsessed hero of Hothead's first two DeathSpank games is still there. There's still a whole bunch of quests strewn throughout a whimsical and colorful world. And yeah, the writing is still laden with puns and excretory humor, and is presented by a cast of solid comedic voice actors. The hero to the downtrodden still gets wacky loot like the mafioso-looking Pinstripe Platemail as he hacks and slashes his way through bizarre enemies. All that stuff is still there -- but, sadly, it's hidden under a mound of major problems.

Gallery: The Baconing (8/8/11)

Continue reading The Baconing review: Hacked and slashed

JoystiqThe Baconing review: Hacked and slashed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankdeathspank-the-baconingelectronic-artsHothead-Gamesmicrosoftplaystationps3psnthe-baconingxblaxboxWed, 31 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Baconing begins on Aug. 31 on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/the-baconing-begins-on-aug-31-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/the-baconing-begins-on-aug-31-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/the-baconing-begins-on-aug-31-on-xbla/#comments You and Deathspank need a fresh start. Sure, you've had a lot of fun in his last two games, no one's trying to deny that. But there's ... a certain distance that neither of you can ignore. He's ready to change, though. He's so committed to the new beginning that he's dropped his name from The Baconing. It's not just about him, anymore ... it's about the both of you.

And even though he'll be involved with a big PSN promotion when he launches on Aug. 30, he's not going to make 360 owners wait for him. That's the sort of thing the old Deathspank would have done. The new Deathspank is going to get up the very next day, put on six multicolored thongs and launch on XBLA on Aug. 31.

And if you should notice him swinging his sword just a little harder as you look on, or reaching further than normal for a pun, just know ... that's him trying.

JoystiqThe Baconing begins on Aug. 31 on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankdeathspank-the-baconingHothead-Gamesmicrosoftrelease-datethe-baconingxblaxboxThu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Baconing preview: New blood]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/the-baconing-preview-new-blood-old-thongs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/the-baconing-preview-new-blood-old-thongs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/the-baconing-preview-new-blood-old-thongs/#comments Producer Mike Inglehart and his team at Hothead seem to be serious about making The Baconing the best entry in the Deathspank series yet. Prior to jumping into my demo, director of marketing Oliver Birch showed off a 17-page Word document filled with complaints and ideas for improvement, taken directly from their community. You talked, and Hothead says it listened.

But one of the biggest changes is the addition of producer Inglehart, who recently joined Hothead and has been tasked with overseeing this third entry in the irreverent series. The Next Level Games transplant dove headfirst into refining the The Baconing, creating what he thinks is not only a funny game, but also one that is less monotonous than its predecessors. One thing is certain: it's definitely more challenging, as several deaths during my demo will attest.

Gallery: The Baconing (8/8/11)

Continue reading The Baconing preview: New blood

JoystiqThe Baconing preview: New blood originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankdeathspank-the-baconingHothead-Gamesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3the-baconingxboxMon, 08 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hothead explains lack of 'DeathSpank' in The Baconing's title]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/hothead-explains-lack-of-deathspank-in-the-baconings-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/hothead-explains-lack-of-deathspank-in-the-baconings-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/hothead-explains-lack-of-deathspank-in-the-baconings-title/#comments When Hothead announced the third entry in its dungeon crawl SLASH role-playing series this past week -- titled solely "The Baconing," dropping its usual "DeathSpank" moniker -- we couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the series' main character to get him taken off title duties. Did series creator Ron Gilbert take the rights to the character with him, for instance?

As it turns out, there's a fairly simple reason behind the name change: "We haven't removed the words or name 'DeathSpank' from the title for any legal reason. In fact, the title was changed just by asking our fans," a Hothead rep told Joystiq. Aha! Still, we couldn't help but wonder why Hothead would voluntarily ditch the brand name that it stuck to the last two games, effectively walking away from the brand recognition it built up over the past two entries.

Continue reading Hothead explains lack of 'DeathSpank' in The Baconing's title

JoystiqHothead explains lack of 'DeathSpank' in The Baconing's title originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 May 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankdeathspank-the-baconinghotheadhothead-gamesmacmicrosoftmike-inglehartpcplaystationps3ron-gilbertthe-baconingxboxFri, 27 May 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ron Gilbert reflects on DeathSpank combat, and its under-developed 'intellectual element']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/ron-gilbert-reflects-on-deathspank-combat-and-its-under-develop/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/ron-gilbert-reflects-on-deathspank-combat-and-its-under-develop/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/ron-gilbert-reflects-on-deathspank-combat-and-its-under-develop/#comments Wired recently spoke with Ron Gilbert, creator of the Monkey Island and DeathSpank series, and the conversation turned to the latter's conventional hack-and-slash combat. Though he didn't stick around long enough to guide the final releases of this year's dual-developed DeathSpank games, Gilbert was their lead designer and said, if he could do it over, he'd likely add more depth to the combat. Instead of just "hacking through a bunch of enemies," he suggested "treating combat as if it was a puzzle to be solved [...] might have helped people a little bit with not just having to button-mash their way through battles."

Gilbert cited Dragon Age as an example, "not in its turn-based nature," but "more of the intellectual element" of requiring some strategy to combat. Perhaps that's not the best example. How about Diablo 3? That's shaping up to be a hack-and-slash game that introduces a satisfying level of strategy through its myriad spells and tactics. Now, if you were to marry such fine-tuned gameplay with Unicorn poop, you're talking "Game of the Year." Easy. Next time, Mr. Gilbert?

JoystiqRon Gilbert reflects on DeathSpank combat, and its under-developed 'intellectual element' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combatdeathspankDeathSpank-Thongs-of-Virtuemicrosoftpcplaystationps3psnron-gilbertxblaxboxFri, 03 Dec 2010 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[December XBLA deal: Buy two games, get 400 MS Points free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/december-xbla-deal-buy-two-games-get-400-ms-points-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/december-xbla-deal-buy-two-games-get-400-ms-points-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/december-xbla-deal-buy-two-games-get-400-ms-points-free/#comments In yet another Xbox Live Arcade deal, Microsoft is now offering a free batch of 400 MS Points for purchasing two qualifying XBLA games. Don't run off downloading games just yet though, because you'll need to head over to the Xbox Live Events page and download the Arcade Offer gamer picture to register for the giveaway first (the direct link to the gamer picture is currently broken, but it's the first one listed on the events page).

Once that's done, snag two of the games listed after the break (including favorites like Limbo, Lara Croft, Monday Night Combat, Super Meat Boy and more). Within four weeks, the free points will be added to registered Live accounts automatically or sent as redemption code via email. If you're planning to pick up any of the eligible games, you might as well get some free points too, right? The promotion ends December 20, so get to it.

[Thanks, Grand Kerfuffle]

Continue reading December XBLA deal: Buy two games, get 400 MS Points free

JoystiqDecember XBLA deal: Buy two games, get 400 MS Points free originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-1943blacklight-tango-downcastlevania-harmony-of-despairComic-JumperDeathSpankDeathSpank-Thongs-of-Virtuehydro-thunder-hurricanelara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-lightlimbomarvel-vs-capcom-2microsoftmonday-night-combatplants-vs-zombiesshadow-complexsuper-meat-boytoy-soldierstrials-hdxblaxboxXbox-Live-ArcadeWed, 01 Dec 2010 17:14:00 EST<![CDATA[DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue coming to PC, Mac this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-coming-to-pc-mac-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-coming-to-pc-mac-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-coming-to-pc-mac-this-year/#comments The virtuous thongs of DeathSpank's sequel will arrive on PC and Mac later this year, EA has announced. DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue will launch on PC November 30, with a Mac release following on December 14 (the original DeathSpank will be released for Mac the same day as ToV -- that's a lot of spanking!). Like the console versions, Thongs of Virtue will cost $14.99.

DeathSpank: ToV comes with two pieces of free DLC at launch: "Snowy Mountain Dungeon" and "Sidekick Tankko: Half-man, half-spider, and all awesome." If you absolutely can't wait for next Tuesday, a minigame on the DeathSpank website ("DeathSpank: Spank This!") offers you a chance to win free stuff. One grand prize winner will get "a squawkin' chicken, a signed DeathSpank poster, a free copy of DeathSpank, and an Intel Core i7-870." All prize winners, actually, will get that squawkin' chicken, which leads us to believe there's a very large squawkin' chicken population at Hothead. That must make it hard to concentrate on programming.

Continue reading DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue coming to PC, Mac this year

JoystiqDeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue coming to PC, Mac this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankDeathSpank-Thongs-of-Virtueeaelectronic-artshotheadhothead-gamesmacpcq4-2010release-datesteamWed, 24 Nov 2010 10:16:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Fall Sale kicks off tomorrow; DeathSpank, Peace Walker and more half price]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/psn-fall-sale-kicks-off-tomorrow-deathspank-peace-walker-and-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/psn-fall-sale-kicks-off-tomorrow-deathspank-peace-walker-and-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/psn-fall-sale-kicks-off-tomorrow-deathspank-peace-walker-and-m/#comments If you've still got a few bills or coins tucked betwixt the cushions of your couch that have managed to go unspent in this deal-heavy season, you might want to hold them tight until tomorrow, when Sony kicks off the PSN Fall Sale. The week-long promotion will cut the prices of select downloadable PS3, PSP and Mini titles in half, bringing games like DeathSpank, Joe Danger, Dissidia: Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker into the magical realm of affordability.

Check out the full list of offers, which will go live in conjunction with tomorrow's PlayStation Store update, just past the jump.

Continue reading PSN Fall Sale kicks off tomorrow; DeathSpank, Peace Walker and more half price

JoystiqPSN Fall Sale kicks off tomorrow; DeathSpank, Peace Walker and more half price originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-friday-2010deathspankdissidia-final-fantasyjoe-dangermetal-gear-solid-peace-walkerplaystationps3psnpspsonyMon, 22 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shank and 'Spank now available on PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/shank-and-spank-now-available-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/shank-and-spank-now-available-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/shank-and-spank-now-available-on-pc/#comments Shank and DeathSpank are ready for action now on Steam for $15 apiece. Shank doles out death in what the movie advertisements will refer to as a roaring rampage of revenge, while DeathSpank delivers demise at the end of a punch ... line.

We enjoyed both titles when they were first released over the summer on consoles. We found Shank to be a "cure for murder" (but please consult your physician before taking Shank) and said DeathSpank was "built on a solid foundation of time-tested gameplay and bacon."

JoystiqShank and 'Spank now available on PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankEAElectronic-ArtsHothead-Gamesklei-entertainmentpcshanksteamWed, 27 Oct 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DeathSpank to loot PC Oct. 26, Mac release planned]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/deathspank-to-loot-pc-oct-26-mac-release-planned/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/deathspank-to-loot-pc-oct-26-mac-release-planned/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/deathspank-to-loot-pc-oct-26-mac-release-planned/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For a game rooted so squarely in the loot-driven gameplay of PC stalwarts like Diablo, it was a little odd that DeathSpank was initially available only on PS3 and Xbox 360. EA and Hothead have decided to rectify this blow against tradition, announcing that DeathSpank will be bringing his humorous brand of (capital J) Justice to PC later this month. The game will hit PCs on October 26, and a pre-order on Steam will net an extra 10 percent off the usual $14.99 price.

Additionally, pre-orders of the DeathSpank and Shank bundle will receive a 15 percent discount (Shank will also be released on October 26). A Mac version of DeathSpank is in the works, though the release date is still under wraps. We've contacted Hothead to see if the DeathSpank sequel, Thongs of Virtue, will also make the jump to PC and Mac.

Continue reading DeathSpank to loot PC Oct. 26, Mac release planned

JoystiqDeathSpank to loot PC Oct. 26, Mac release planned originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankeahotheadmacpcsteamWed, 06 Oct 2010 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live subscribers can vote for upcoming Deal of the Week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/xbox-live-subscribers-can-vote-for-upcoming-deal-of-the-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/xbox-live-subscribers-can-vote-for-upcoming-deal-of-the-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/xbox-live-subscribers-can-vote-for-upcoming-deal-of-the-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft has put an interesting turn on its weekly rotation of discounted items on Xbox Live -- the Spotlight tab on the console's dashboard currently includes a poll which will let users choose which of a handful of items they'd like to have marked down for an undisclosed week in October. These discounts include 33 percent off DeathSpank, half off Perfect Dark, or similar markdowns on DLC for Dragon Age: Origins, Trials HD and Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

It would be unethical for us to use our considerable internet power to get you to pick the thing that we'd like to pick up at a discounted price, so we'll refrain from doing so. Instead, we'll just have to rely on the same remote mind-control tactics we've been using to puppeteer your every action for the past four years now. That's right, Brandon, we're inside your mind.

JoystiqXbox Live subscribers can vote for upcoming Deal of the Week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-bad-company-2deal-of-the-weekdeathspankmicrosoftperfect-darkpolltrials-hdxboxxbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceTue, 21 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue offers free DLC during launch week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-offers-free-dlc-during-launch-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-offers-free-dlc-during-launch-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-offers-free-dlc-during-launch-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Even if it seems oddly soon for a sequel to DeathSpank, it might be worth your while to grab Thongs of Virtue soon rather than letting a more appropriate interim pass. EA announced that those who purchase the followup during the week of launch (September 20-27 on PSN, September 22-28 on XBLA) will get two free items of DLC.

After that period, the "Snowy Mountain Dungeon" and playable co-op character "Sidekick Tankko" will be sold for $2.99/240 Microsoft Points and $0.99/80 Microsoft Points, respectively. That's not much, but it's certainly more than the nothing the DLC costs now. As a side note, now we understand why Thongs of Virtue is a "sequel" and not an "episode." Buying DLC for one part of an episodic game seems weird, but DLC for a separate downloadable game is par for the course.

JoystiqDeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue offers free DLC during launch week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankDeathSpank-Thongs-of-Virtuedlcea-partnerselectronic-artshothead-gamesmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxTue, 21 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue gameplay leaves little to the imagination]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-gameplay-leaves-little-to-the-imagi/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-gameplay-leaves-little-to-the-imagi/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-gameplay-leaves-little-to-the-imagi/#comments We're still not 100 percent positive what the subtitle in DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue means. Perhaps our titular hero enjoys the snugness only a certain type of undergarment can provide? Regardless, we've got the next best thing for you today: gameplay footage.

Over at GameVideos, they've managed to procure four different gameplay sections showcasing several distinct areas of the game. We went on a quest to retrieve said videos, which show DeathSpank doing what he does best: making other people look like chumps. Feel free to swoon at our level 10 copy/paste ability past the break.

Gallery: DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue

Continue reading DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue gameplay leaves little to the imagination

JoystiqDeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue gameplay leaves little to the imagination originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankDeathSpank-Thongs-of-VirtueHothead-Gamesmicrosoftplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeTue, 31 Aug 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue sequel coming to XBLA, PSN in September]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-sequel-coming-to-xbla-psn-in-sept/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-sequel-coming-to-xbla-psn-in-sept/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/deathspank-thongs-of-virtue-sequel-coming-to-xbla-psn-in-sept/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With justice not entirely dispensed, evil still to be vanquished and plenty of downtrodden to be, uh, heroed, the titular DeathSpank returns in DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue. Hothead Games today announced a full-on sequel to this summer's Diablo homage (parody?) on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network -- and it's almost complete! Thongs of Virtue will launch on PSN and XBLA on September 21 and 22, respectively, for $15 (or 1200 Microsoft Points).

The quick turnaround is the result of Hothead beginning development on Thongs of Virtue well before the release of the first game, and despite creator Ron Gilbert's departure from the studio in April. (You might recall that DeathSpank was originally proposed as an episodic endeavor, but that plan was supposedly abandoned during development of the first game.) Thongs of Virtue still reflects Gilbert's influence and looks to expand on the foundational elements of the original game; even if it doesn't address all of the post-release fan feedback.

"DeathSpank 1 was an introduction to the universe for people and it was very much a fantasy action RPG," producer Hamish Millar tells GameSpot. "For the second game -- and this is a reason it was a separate product, too- -- we just wanted to redefine what that could be. We just wanted to blow people's expectations out of the water as far as what kind of weapons DeathSpank can have, what worlds he can travel to, and what sort of creatures and characters and enemies he can face."

JoystiqDeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue sequel coming to XBLA, PSN in September originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathSpankDeathSpank-Thongs-of-VirtueHothead-Gamesmicrosoftplaystationps3PSNrelease-dateXBLAxboxMon, 23 Aug 2010 12:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Ron Gilbert digs iPhone, hopes DeathSpank inspires other devs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/ron-gilbert-iphone-games-are-very-interesting-to-me-right-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/ron-gilbert-iphone-games-are-very-interesting-to-me-right-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/ron-gilbert-iphone-games-are-very-interesting-to-me-right-now/#commentsFiled under: , ,

GamerBytes has a nice long interview with DeathSpank creator Ron Gilbert, and while he waxes philosophical on all sorts of stuff found in the excellent XBLA/PSN hack-'n-slash title, he says he's not sure what he plans to do next. But iPhone gaming has grabbed his attention for the moment: "iPhone games are very interesting to me right now. I play a lot of them, and they're neat because then you can do two- or three-people teams to make those things," he says.

Making DeathSpank was tougher than expected, according to Gilbert -- he started out wanting to make Monkey Island meets Diablo, but the Diablo half of the game was more difficult to balance than he'd thought it would be. Not only did he have to balance weapons and combat, but he had to deal with DeathSpank's own character attributes. A class system was originally planned, but Gilbert wanted to play his character (which originally came from a Flash cartoon series), not yours, so the team eventually went with the "Hero Cards" system.

Gilbert also says he hopes that DeathSpank influences the downloadable market -- rather than simply house reissues of older games or big budget titles, he hopes that downloadable game platforms can be a place for originality, and that "we can get some really good, interesting games in the download space." We'll hack and slash to that!

JoystiqRon Gilbert digs iPhone, hopes DeathSpank inspires other devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>death-spankdeathspankdownloadableeahothead-gamesiphonemicrosoftmobileplaystationps3ron-gilbertxblaxboxThu, 29 Jul 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joyswag: Win a trip for two to PAX, courtesy of HotHead Games and DeathSpank]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/joyswag-win-a-trip-for-two-to-pax-courtesy-of-hothead-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/joyswag-win-a-trip-for-two-to-pax-courtesy-of-hothead-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/joyswag-win-a-trip-for-two-to-pax-courtesy-of-hothead-games/#comments Update: Congratulations to grand prize winner Stefan, and to the eight first prize winners!


He is DeathSpank: Defender of Justice. Vanquisher of Evil. Hero to the Downtrodden. Guy who's footing the bill for you and a friend, loved one, or really lucky stranger to attend PAX Prime!

But who is this "you" we speak of? Well, it could be you, provided you're the winner of this epic giveaway brought to you by DeathSpank's gracious overlords at Hothead Games and your pals here at Joystiq. Otherwise it will be someone else, who may or may not laugh at your misfortune -- that jerk! Don't be the one who that jerk potentially laughs at -- heed the rules, cross your fingers and enter for your chance to score free airfare, lodging, attendance to PAX, and the possibility of being referred to as "Sir" or "Miss" for a change. That, and the ultimate honor: being able to say, "I'm with DeathSpank!"

To enter this giveaway:

1. Visit DeathSpank.com and search for "the Artifact" image (pictured below) that's been hidden on one of the pages there. The Artifact will be clearly visible and looks like this:

2. Locate and copy your own unique "Joystiq Code" that appears beneath the Artifact image.

3. Return to this giveaway post and paste your code in a comment to enter for your chance to win.

Head past the break for complete rules and details.

Continue reading Joyswag: Win a trip for two to PAX, courtesy of HotHead Games and DeathSpank

JoystiqJoyswag: Win a trip for two to PAX, courtesy of HotHead Games and DeathSpank originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathSpankHothead-GamesJoyswagmicrosoftPAX-2010PAX-Prime-2010playstationps3xboxMon, 19 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: DeathSpank]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/review-deathspank/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/review-deathspank/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/review-deathspank/#comments "DeathSpank? What a ridiculous name!" I can hear you saying it now. Yes, it is a ridiculous name, for a ridiculous game which revels in the fact that it's ridiculous. Well, that and damned funny. Oh, and a super-fun, retail-caliber yet downloadable action-RPG.

If you haven't been following all things 'Spank, know that it's the creation of Ron Gilbert (one of the mad geniuses who brought the world the Monkey Island series) and Hothead Games (makers of the delightful, and also downloadable, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain Slick-Precipice of Darkness). Also know that it stars a hero, DeathSpank, who possesses enough machismo to fill a football stadium. His grasp on reality, on the other hand, would barely fill a football.

Gallery: DeathSpank

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Continue reading Review: DeathSpank

JoystiqReview: DeathSpank originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-RPGDeathSpankEA-PartnersElectronicHothead-Gamesmacmicrosoftpcplaystationps3PSNRon-GilbertXBLAxboxFri, 16 Jul 2010 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA in Brief: Deadliest Warrior, DeathSpank]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/xbla-in-brief-deadliest-warrior-deathspank/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/xbla-in-brief-deadliest-warrior-deathspank/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/xbla-in-brief-deadliest-warrior-deathspank/#comments XBLA is all about death this week. First up we have gruesome, deadly martial arts with Deadliest Warrior: The Game and then we have just, heroic, loot-driven murder with DeathSpank. Honestly, both causes of death have their appeal. Watch the latest XBLA in Brief and see just how fun death can be.

[iTunes] Subscribe to XBLA in Brief directly in iTunes.
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[M4V] Download the M4V directly.

There are new Xbox Live Arcade games released every week. We realize that our readers are busy, attractive people, and may not have time to download and examine each and every new XBLA game. You've got busy, attractive person stuff to do, after all. Not to worry though, because we've done the work for you, downloading every single trial game and giving you a taste of what to expect. Watch XBLA in Brief every week to see which games deserve a closer look. When you have the time, of course.

Continue reading XBLA in Brief: Deadliest Warrior, DeathSpank

JoystiqXBLA in Brief: Deadliest Warrior, DeathSpank originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Deadliest-WarriorDeadliest-Warrior-The-GamedeathspankHothead-Gamesmicrosoftpipeworks-softwareSpike-Gamesx3f-tvxblaxblawednesdayxboxWed, 14 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Tuesday: Landit Bandit, DeathSpank]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/psn-tuesday-landit-bandit-deathspank/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/psn-tuesday-landit-bandit-deathspank/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/psn-tuesday-landit-bandit-deathspank/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Some slim pickings this week. DeathSpank is the unquestionably the biggest part of this update -- lest you count the unsavory amount of add-ons EA Sports has managed to conjure up for NCAA Football 11.

Check out the full update after the break.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading PSN Tuesday: Landit Bandit, DeathSpank

JoystiqPSN Tuesday: Landit Bandit, DeathSpank originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspanklandit-banditplaystationps3psn-tuesdaypsn-weeklypspTue, 13 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DeathSpank trailer previews some unorthodox armaments]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/deathspank-trailer-previews-some-unorthodox-armaments/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/deathspank-trailer-previews-some-unorthodox-armaments/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/deathspank-trailer-previews-some-unorthodox-armaments/#comments We've discussed some of the unique weapons you'll be wielding in Ron Gilbert's upcoming XBLA and PSN title, DeathSpank, but you really can't get a good feel for them until you see them in action. It's like, you can read about the Demon Poop Hammer all day, but you've really got to see it swing.

Continue reading DeathSpank trailer previews some unorthodox armaments

JoystiqDeathSpank trailer previews some unorthodox armaments originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankhothead-gamesmicrosoftplaystationps3ron-gilbertxboxSat, 10 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DeathSpank dispensing co-op justice on PSN July 13, XBLA July 14]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/deathspank-dispensing-co-op-justice-on-psn-july-13-xbla-july-14/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/deathspank-dispensing-co-op-justice-on-psn-july-13-xbla-july-14/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/deathspank-dispensing-co-op-justice-on-psn-july-13-xbla-july-14/#commentsFiled under: , ,

DeathSpank, Monkey Island co-creator Ron Gilbert's homage to Diablo, has been fully loaded with laughs and is ready to make its debut on PSN July 13, arriving on Xbox Live Arcade the next day, July 14 (barring any temporal anomalies). We played the game a couple months back and were smitten with its charm, humor, loot and bacon.

What we didn't see back then was DeathSpank's cooperative mode. Since there can only be one DeathSpank (we don't think the world could handle two of him) player two will control his spell-casting sidekick, Sparkles the Wizard. We're sure Sparkles is just fine with his silly name, so long as he gets to tag along with the Hero to the Downtrodden.

DeathSpank will loot your wallet for $14.99 on PSN and 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) via the Xbox Live Marketplace.

Gallery: DeathSpank (co-op)

JoystiqDeathSpank dispensing co-op justice on PSN July 13, XBLA July 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankEAEA-PartnersElectronic-ArtsHothead-Gamesmicrosoftplaystationps3PSNRon-GilbertXBLAxboxTue, 22 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DeathSpank trailer dispenses justice, toll-free hotline number]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/24/deathspank-trailer-dispenses-justice-toll-free-hotline-number/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/24/deathspank-trailer-dispenses-justice-toll-free-hotline-number/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/24/deathspank-trailer-dispenses-justice-toll-free-hotline-number/#comments We get to see a little bit more of DeathSpank, the Diablo-like adventure from The Secret of Monkey Island co-creator Ron Gilbert, in the above video just dispatched by publisher EA. We've already spent some hands-on time with the game, which is due to land on PSN and XBLA this summer, and it places petty high on our list of games we want to spend a lot more time with, and soon. Not just because it's fun, but also stupendously funny (not to mention filled with forbidden bacon).

You can get an interactive taste of the game's humor right now by calling the DeathSpank Hotline at 1-866-631-1574 (toll-free from the US). It's reassuring to know there's a hero out there ready to dispense justice, vanquish evil and be a hero to the downtrodden in so many different languages!

JoystiqDeathSpank trailer dispenses justice, toll-free hotline number originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 May 2010 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathSpankeaea-partnersElectronic-ArtsHothead-GamesMicrosoftPSNRon-GilbertvideoXBLAXbox-360Mon, 24 May 2010 15:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on: DeathSpank (XBLA/PSN)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/deathspank-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/deathspank-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/deathspank-preview/#comments When a game is described as "Diablo meets Monkey Island," two reactions come naturally: "Neat!," followed by, "Wait a second ... how can that even be possible?"

Well, it is. I found this out for myself earlier this week when the 'Stiq had its first hands-on (we'd seen it at PAX 2009) with DeathSpank, the latest game from Ron Gilbert, designer of The Secret of Monkey Island (but not Diablo). His new downloadable game is a fast-paced, button-mashy loot-'em-up, as well as an adventure filled with interesting characters and diabolically funny dialog. Also, it's about bacon and a hero who's favorite number is ... plaid.

Gallery: DeathSpank (04/30/10)

Continue reading Hands-on: DeathSpank (XBLA/PSN)

JoystiqHands-on: DeathSpank (XBLA/PSN) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathSpankeaea-partnersElectronic-ArtsHothead-GamesMicrosoftpsnron-gilbertxblaXbox-360Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DeathSpank creator Ron Gilbert has 'left Hothead' Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/06/deathspank-creator-ron-gilbert-has-left-hothead-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/06/deathspank-creator-ron-gilbert-has-left-hothead-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/06/deathspank-creator-ron-gilbert-has-left-hothead-games/#comments Just over a month after announcing a high-profile publishing arrangement with EA Partners for the XBLA and PSN release of DeathSpank, the game's creator (and locker room pinup at Joystiq HQ) Ron Gilbert announced on his personal blog that he has "left Hothead," the development team behind the game. Gilbert takes his leave as "the creative and production phases" on DeathSpank are ending and the "long and winding road of certification and testing" for the console (and "REDACTED" ... maybe PC?) versions are beginning; however, he isn't leaving the game behind. "I will be working closely with EA and Hothead on the PR for DeathSpank as the release date of [REDACTED] draws closer," he writes, cheekily poking fun at, well, posts just like this one we imagine.

Last month, Penny Arcade's Jerry Holkins told Joystiq that development on Penny Arcade Adventures was ending prematurely in large part so Hothead could focus on Deathspank. "Hothead has DeathSpank and they have a chance to do something really cool with it," Holkins said. "And they need to have an opportunity to make it incredible."

With a perceived surfeit of free time, Gilbert promises to "blog more" and remember his Twitter password ... which it appears he hasn't done yet. We've asked Hothead Games to comment on Gilbert's posting. We'll let you know what we hear back.

[Update: Hothead's Joel DeYoung sent us the following comment: "Ron has indeed moved on from Hothead. We've really enjoyed collaborating with him on DeathSpank -- a game we believe will be the best game yet on XBLA and PSN. We are really excited to share the result with Hothead and Ron Gilbert fans everywhere." So there you have it!]

[Thanks, fco]

JoystiqDeathSpank creator Ron Gilbert has 'left Hothead' Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathspankEAEA-PartnersElectronic-ArtsHothead-GamesMicrosoftPSNRon-GilbertXBLAXbox-360Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA publishing 'DeathSpank' and 'Shank' on PSN, XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/ea-publishing-deathspank-and-shank-on-psn-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/ea-publishing-deathspank-and-shank-on-psn-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/ea-publishing-deathspank-and-shank-on-psn-xbla/#comments
EA Partners, a division of Electronics Arts, has announced an exclusive publishing agreement with two upcoming indie games -- Hothead's DeathSpank and Klei Entertainment's Shank -- which will allow a much wider (and ostensibly easier) path to distribution for both games. EA claims Shank will be available on Xbox Live, PlayStation Network and PC this summer, while DeathSpank will be available on Xbox Live and PSN with no date yet announced.

"Our mission at EA Partners is to work with the best talent across the game industry, and we are thrilled to extend our expertise to the leading creative developers in downloadable indie games," said EA Partners' outreach director Jamil Moledina. "DeathSpank is engrossingly fun and hysterically funny ... and Shank is an amazing experience."

The EA Partners program has had some heavy hitters onboard, like Rock Band, Left 4 Dead 2, and Brütal Legend, but this marks the first time that smaller, downloadable indie games have been brought into the fold. We've toured through DeathSpank before (with Ron Gilbert himself!), and Shank was just named a finalist at the Independent Games Festival, taking place during GDC next week in San Francisco.

It's interesting to see EA move into the indie arena, much like 2K Games has done with 2K Play (think: The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom and Axel and Pixel), but we'll have to see how it plays out. Hopefully they'll offer both in a Spank 'n Shank special bundle. We spoke with EA's Moledina and both developers, so stay tuned for more info shortly.

JoystiqEA publishing 'DeathSpank' and 'Shank' on PSN, XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathspankEAEA-PartnersElectronic-Artshothead-gamesindieklei-entertainmentMicrosoftPSNrelease-dateShankxblaXbox-360Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2009: Ron Gilbert gives us a tour of DeathSpank]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/pax-2009-ron-gilbert-gives-us-a-tour-of-deathspank/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/pax-2009-ron-gilbert-gives-us-a-tour-of-deathspank/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/pax-2009-ron-gilbert-gives-us-a-tour-of-deathspank/#comments Just a few scant hours after delivering the keynote address to a very pax'd audience at PAX 2009 (more on that later), legendary game designer Ron Gilbert gave me a tour of his latest creation, DeathSpank, best described as equal parts comic adventure game and Diablo-esque RPG. Yeah, it sounded crazy to me too.

I met Gilbert in a small meeting room in the PAX expo hall - inconveniently located adjacent to the cacophonous Rock Band stage - and he explained the pairing this way: "I really wanted to marry those things because obviously I like adventure games a lot - I really like the way adventure games tell stories; I like the way they tell it through dialog, through puzzles - but also I'm a big fan of Diablo and having this kind of action RPG stuff in there, I just wanted to meld those two things together. And DeathSpank is the result of that."

Initially billed as an episodic series in the vein of the Hothead-developed Penny Arcade Adventures, DeathSpank has outgrown that distribution model. "With DeathSpank, he's such an epic, over-the-top character that as we were working all the stories together for him - it sounds silly - but it was hard to contain him," Gilbert said. "And then once we stopped making it episodic, it was really interesting how the design blossomed at that point."

Gallery: DeathSpank

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Continue reading PAX 2009: Ron Gilbert gives us a tour of DeathSpank

JoystiqPAX 2009: Ron Gilbert gives us a tour of DeathSpank originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathSpankHothead-GamesMicrosoftPAXPAX-2009Ron-GilbertXbox-360Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DeathSpank gameplay footage debuts at PAX '09]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/deathspank-gameplay-footage-debuts-at-pax-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/deathspank-gameplay-footage-debuts-at-pax-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/deathspank-gameplay-footage-debuts-at-pax-09/#comments PAX 2009 has yielded the first gameplay footage of Ron Gilbert and Hothead's forthcoming adventure slash RPG, DeathSpank. Billed as a potent mixture of Diablo's pointing and Monkey Island's clicking (or ... is it the other way around?), DeathSpank pokes fun at video gaming's huge array of heroic buffoons, though not without sending its own protagonist down a familiarly violent path. Mind you pay attention to the game's eye-catching art style beneath all that cartoon blood!

JoystiqDeathSpank gameplay footage debuts at PAX '09 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuredeathspankhotheadhothead-gamespaxpax-2009ron-gilbertrpgFri, 04 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ron Gilbert's DeathSpank reappears with new details, screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/ron-gilberts-deathspank-reappears-with-new-details-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/ron-gilberts-deathspank-reappears-with-new-details-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/ron-gilberts-deathspank-reappears-with-new-details-screens/#comments Believe it or not, it's been three days short of a year since new DeathSpank info made its way onto Joystiq. Ron Gilbert's previously episodic project has now been detailed on 1UP, with the actual game part revealed as a delectable hybrid of Diablo-style role-playing and point-and-click adventure ... ing. We think we speak for all sane people when we say, "Please let us have this immediately."

Oh, but who pays attention to the internet's minority group?

JoystiqRon Gilbert's DeathSpank reappears with new details, screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuredeathspankhothead-gamesron-gilbertrpgTue, 01 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Thank the Canadian government for these great games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/thank-the-canadian-government-for-these-great-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/thank-the-canadian-government-for-these-great-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/thank-the-canadian-government-for-these-great-games/#comments
Ever heard of Fez? How about N+? DeathSpank, maybe? If any of these games are near and dear to you like they are to us (we're looking at you, N+), then you have the Canadian government to thank. Government funding towards game development in Canada helped make each of the aforementioned games come to fruition, according to Gamasutra.

Similar initiatives are being proposed or practiced in many US cities, however, the Canadian government has a long history of promoting game development in the country. It even gave DeathSpank developer Hothead Games over a half million dollars -- to develop a game named DeathSpank! Though it'd be nice to say that such quality stuff was being developed in our backyards, we'll take what we can get. Good games are good games, no?

JoystiqThank the Canadian government for these great games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadadeathspankfezgamasutragame-developmentgovernment-fundinghotheadhothead-gamesn Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bloody new DeathSpank trailers, details from PAX 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/bloody-new-deathspank-trailers-details-from-pax-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/bloody-new-deathspank-trailers-details-from-pax-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/bloody-new-deathspank-trailers-details-from-pax-2008/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While Hothead is busy pimping its upcoming Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode 2, let's not forget about its other, simpler-titled project DeathSpank. The company has released three new teaser trailers for the snarky title ("Fight" is shown above), built from the ground up with Joystiq's own Ludwig Kietzmann in mind as the target demographic.

During last weekend's Penny Arcade Expo, Hothead COO Joel DeYoung said he considered the game a "more Diablo-esque" episodic action RPG with ample amounts of creator Ron Gilbert's humor, "lampooning video game space and the idea of the video game hero that takes himself too seriously." The game is not using PAA's Torque engine. More information about DeathSpank should be coming "soon," he said. After the break, check out the "Item" and "Armor" trailer. (Spoiler: Two of these three videos use the phrase "Thong of Justice.")

Continue reading Bloody new DeathSpank trailers, details from PAX 2008

JoystiqBloody new DeathSpank trailers, details from PAX 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathspankhotheadhothead-gamesron-gilbertThu, 04 Sep 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interviews DeathSpank's Ron Gilbert]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/joystiq-interviews-deathspanks-ron-gilbert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/joystiq-interviews-deathspanks-ron-gilbert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/joystiq-interviews-deathspanks-ron-gilbert/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Described as "the perfect melding of a Monkey Island style adventure game with the wicked RPG gameplay of Diablo," Ron Gilbert's episodic endeavor also formed part of our recent GDC interview with Hothead Games. Though the Orphans of Justice still have quite a bit of growing up to do, we quickly quizzed designer Ron about Deathspank's upcoming lampooning of adventure game heroes, as well as the series' inevitable downward spiral in quality after the, uh, 600,000th episode.

Continue reading Joystiq interviews DeathSpank's Ron Gilbert

JoystiqJoystiq interviews DeathSpank's Ron Gilbert originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathspankDiabloEpisodicGDCGDC08HotheadHothead-GamesJoel-DeYoungMonkey-IslandOrphans-of-JusticeRon-GilbertThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandMon, 03 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interview: Penny Arcade Adventures]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/joystiq-interview-penny-arcade-adventures/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/joystiq-interview-penny-arcade-adventures/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/joystiq-interview-penny-arcade-adventures/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


It's fair to say that quite a lot is expected from Vancouver-based developer, Hothead Games. The group not only has to deliver a series of downloadable and episodic adventure RPGs in regular intervals, but also appease a fanbase so large and rabid that it can click your website to death -- accidentally, if you're lucky. On top of all that, the poor developers are occasionally dragged into a tiny room for the sole purpose of being poked by a plethora of questions regarding their upcoming games.

Penny Arcade Adventures producer, Joel DeYoung, and Hothead creative director, Ron Gilbert, had to endure just such a prodding during GDC, the results of which can be viewed after the break. Appropriately enough, our interview's almost as long as the title of the series: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness.

Gallery: Penny Arcade Adventures

Continue reading Joystiq interview: Penny Arcade Adventures

JoystiqJoystiq interview: Penny Arcade Adventures originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathspankEpisodicGDCGDC08HotheadHothead-GamesJoel-DeYoungPCPenny-ArcadePenny-Arcade-AdventuresPennyArcadeAdventuresRon-GilbertXBLAXbox-360Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC Quest Quiz I: Ron Gilbert]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/gdc-quest-quiz-i-ron-gilbert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/gdc-quest-quiz-i-ron-gilbert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/gdc-quest-quiz-i-ron-gilbert/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We did a terrible thing at last week's Game Developer's Conference. Aside from our usual barrage of photographs and "reporting," a select group of attendees had to endure a particularly inane and utterly pointless line of questioning -- just for laughs. This is what happens when you hunt down several adventure game connoisseurs and challenge them to solve a typically obnoxious adventure game puzzle.

The Player
Ron Gilbert, designer of The Secret of Monkey Island (amongst other LucasArts adventures), consultant on Penny Arcade Adventures and designer of Hothead's upcoming episodic series, Deathspank.

The Puzzle
You're standing in front of a cave. The goal is to get inside the cave, taking care to foil the ferocious robot bear guarding the entrance first.

The Inventory
  • (1) perforated parasol
  • (1) rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle
  • (1) sealed manila envelope
  • (1) miniature macaroni Tim Schafer statue
Find Ron Gilbert's surprisingly direct solution after the break.

Continue reading GDC Quest Quiz I: Ron Gilbert

JoystiqGDC Quest Quiz I: Ron Gilbert originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathspankGDCGDC-Quest-QuizGDC08HotheadMonkey-IslandPenny-Arcade-AdventuresRon-GilbertThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandMon, 25 Feb 2008 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Hothead Games to publish Ron Gilbert's 'DeathSpank']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/hothead-games-to-publish-ron-gilberts-deathspank/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/hothead-games-to-publish-ron-gilberts-deathspank/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/hothead-games-to-publish-ron-gilberts-deathspank/#commentsFiled under: ,


Described as -- and you'll want to sit down for this -- "the perfect melding of a Monkey Island style adventure game with the wicked RPG game play of Diablo," Ron Gilbert's latest creation has been revealed to be an episodic title dubbed "DeathSpank: Episode 1: Orphans of Justice." The adventure legend has joined Vancouver-based Hothead Games as Creative Director, noting that he's spent over four years searching for "the right publisher for this strange little game." He went on to quip, "Now that I've done it, you just know that somewhere four horsemen are saddling up."

Followers of Gilbert's grumpy ramblings may remember DeathSpank as a satirical game character mentioned in a series of Flash comics, created with the aid of Clayton Kauzlaric and offered on Gilbert's personal blog. They'll also recall that Gilbert is currently providing his expertise and surly demeanor to Penny Arcade's episodic endeavor, On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. Expect to hear more on both titles... soonish.

JoystiqHothead Games to publish Ron Gilbert's 'DeathSpank' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BreakingNewsDeathSpankHotheadHothead-GamesOrphans-of-JusticePenny-ArcadePenny-Arcade-AdventuresPennyArcadeAdventuresRon-GilbertRonGilbertWed, 09 Jan 2008 13:33:00 EST