Joystiq

Greenhouse implementing InstantAction streaming tech

JC Fletcher — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:00:00 EST

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

InstantAction, which provides the neat embeddable player for games like The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, has teamed up with Greenhouse, Penny-Arcade's indie digital distribution store.

The good news is that Greenhouse will employ InstantAction's streaming technology on its site, allowing you immediate access to selections from its catalog. "Indie devs think the same way we think about it," Penny-Arcade's Robert Khoo told Big Download, "which is that since they have the option to embed the games into pretty much anywhere, it's a win-win for everyone involved."

The bad news is that you'll have to ... wait for that immediate access. The Greenhouse site is currently down while the new InstantAction stuff is being implemented. Khoo said that it would be back up before PAX, which starts September 3.

Greenhouse implementing InstantAction streaming tech originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop details three-point plan for digital distro future

David Hinkle — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:00:00 EST

GameStop doesn't really have to worry about digital distribution devices like the PSP Go right now -- in the Go's case, it's because there's pretty much nothing on it -- but, in the future, the company may need to consider adapting to a less physical media-dependent market. Though some say that day won't come until 2017 (others say digital distribution will endanger the company), Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian recently attended an analyst-only GameStop meeting at the NYSE (via IndustryGamers) where the company actually detailed its plans to prepare for the rise of ~~the machines~~ digital distribution.

GameStop's three main goals to adapt included increasing in-store sales of point cards for online purchases, expanding its digital distribution of PC and casual titles via its website and making a strategic investment in the space or acquiring an online entity specializing in digital distribution. The first two are pretty cut and dry, but that last item really gives one food for thought.

There are certainly a plethora of online distributors that GameStop could own; Steam, Greenhouse, Impulse, GoG and Direct2Drive are all established and popular digital distribution services, though we think GameStop may have some trouble should it pursue Steam or Direct2Drive -- which are owned by Valve and IGN (News Corp.), respectively. And, hey, if GameStop decides to purchase any one of these and doesn't like it, there's always the option to trade it back in for ... ah, forget it.

GameStop details three-point plan for digital distro future originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Penny Arcade Adventures: Episode 3 still in development

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:15:00 EST

It's been quite a while since we last got to command Penny Arcade's Gabe and Tycho around New Arcadia, pugilizin' giant fruit f###ers and sweepin' the boardwalk clear of barbershop quartets. So long, in fact, that we nearly forgot the series was intended to be episodic (we've been told that means every four to six months in PAA's case), which resulted in a call to series developer Hothead Games.

We were told by a Hothead rep this morning that, while no release date or information has yet been revealed about the game, "It [Episode 3] is still in development." Would it be fair to say we'll hear more about the game in the upcoming weeks leading up to PAX 2009? From the conversation we had this morning, we'd say that sounds mighty likely. With PAX 2009 just six short weeks away, we may not be waiting too much longer before we hear something more official.

PSA: Penny Arcade Adventures: Episode 3 still in development originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Penny Arcade Adventures Ep. 2 coming to PSN Dec. 18

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:15:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, RPGs

The PlayStation Blog gives word that the second episode of Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness will be available today on the PSN.

PAA: OtR-SPoD: Ep. 2 features Trophy support and, unlike the first installment, the option to change difficulty settings. The fruit-fracking mini-RPG will cost $15 and should be available as soon as the PSN update occurs later in the day.

Gallery: Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 2

Penny Arcade Adventures Ep. 2 coming to PSN Dec. 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don't call 'em achievements: Greenhouse adds 'triumphs' and 'standings'

Christopher Grant — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:20:00 EST

Filed under: Mac, PC

this will have triumphs

Greenhouse Interactive - the digital distribution portal operated by the familiar faces at Penny Arcade and Hothead Games - announced the availability of its very own software development kit: the Nitrogen SDK. Here's the idea: the games selected to be a part of the Greenhouse service can use the SDK to enhance their games with "the social networking functionalities of 'triumphs' and 'standings'" - the Greenhouse equivalent to Achievements, Trophies, or ... Achievements. Greenhouse (and Hothead's) Vlad Ceraldi says, "In a crowded gaming world of achievements and trophies, it's inevitable that all of the good words are gone. We've just snatched the last few that make any sense ..." Say, whatever happened to entitlements?

The first game to be enhanced will be, unsurprisingly, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two, launching this Wednesday on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms (plus XBLA!). And from there? Greenhouse (and Penny Arcade's) Robert Khoo says, "In fact, triumphs and standings are only the beginning. There's so much more in the works with Nitrogen that we just haven't found the vocabulary for yet." We've got an idea: Greenhousescore. Think Gamerscore, but without all the trademark liabilities!

Don't call 'em achievements: Greenhouse adds 'triumphs' and 'standings' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Penny Arcade Adventures Ep. 2 coming Oct. 29 to XBLA, PC

Ross Miller — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Mac, PC, Microsoft Xbox 360

The second episode of Penny Arcade Adventure: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, is coming next Wednesday, October 29, for Xbox Live Arcade, Windows, Mac and Linux. According to the press release, the PC versions will be available via Greenhouse. As previously revealed, the episode will cost $15 for all platforms. No word on the PlayStation 3 release. Episode One will finally be hitting the PS Store tomorrow, or six days before everyone else gets the sequel.

Gallery: Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 2

Penny Arcade Adventures Ep. 2 coming Oct. 29 to XBLA, PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Penny Arcade Adventures also coming to PC, Mac, Linux next week [update]

Justin McElroy — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: PC, RPGs

In all of the 360 excitement yesterday, the system's surly, loner uncle the PC was sort of left out in the cold. We wanted to welcome him back in to the warmth of the Joystiq bosom by letting you know that 360 isn't the only system that Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One is coming to next week. Eurogamer reports the game will also land on PCs next Wednesday through PA's Greenhouse service.

What's that you say? You probably could have guessed this yourself without our help? Oh, fine, yeah, you're probably right. But look at the PC with his little mug of broth by the fire. He was freezing out there. Cut him some slack.

[Via Eurogamer]

[Update: Oh, and also, lest we forget, Mac and Linux as well!]

Gallery: Penny Arcade Adventures

Penny Arcade Adventures also coming to PC, Mac, Linux next week [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 May 2008 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Penny Arcade announces 'Greenhouse' online game store

Scott Jon Siegel — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Mac, PC, Business

Penny Arcade and Hothead Games -- the developer behind On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness -- have just announced a joint partnership to launch Greenhouse, a brand new online game store, focused on digital distribution for independent games.

Not to be mistaken for a downloadable client application (like GameTap and Steam), Greenhouse is simply a website for digital distribution, putting it in direct competition with fellow indie game portal Manifesto Games. The site, which is currently in beta, will initially be the exclusive download source for Precipice, offering the PC, Mac, and Linux versions. Later, more Hothead Games will be distributed via the service, along with other indie offerings.

While the digital distribution market is getting a bit saturated as of late, let's hope Greenhouse's platform-agnostic approach to publishing keeps the service on our radar.

Penny Arcade announces 'Greenhouse' online game store originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Game & Watch compilation coming soon?

David Hinkle — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 09:13:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff

Nintendo of Japan recently announced that through its Club Nintendo program, gamers over in Japan would be able to acquire Game & Watch Compilation, which features three classics in Donkey Kong, Oil Panic, and Greenhouse. In purchasing Japanese Nintendo games, there are included inserts that equal a certain amount of points, 500 to be exact, will score the gamer a copy of this compilation. As of now, there is no word on a release for the US, but here's to hoping it's successful over there as I know I'm not the only US gamer who would love to get their mitts on a copy.

[Via Game Brink]

Game & Watch compilation coming soon? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jun 2006 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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