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[Andy Schatz lets slip scrapped competitive modes for Monaco]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/andy-schatz-lets-slip-scrapped-competitive-modes-for-monaco/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/andy-schatz-lets-slip-scrapped-competitive-modes-for-monaco/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/andy-schatz-lets-slip-scrapped-competitive-modes-for-monaco/#commentsAndy Schatz and Austin Wintory AMA Andy Schatz took some time off from thievery in his recent release, Monaco, and sat down with the fine people of Reddit to answer all of the questions they threw at him, such as, "Which features didn't make it into the game?"

"Cops and Robbers, and Thief vs Thief," Schatz replied. "We wanted to add two additional competitive game modes to the game. We got them to playable, but we discovered that for both modes the balance didn't really work within the existing levels."

Thief vs Thief had players compete in a single stage, to see who could collect the most coins, grab the trophy and get out first - but the player who left the gate first had a huge advantage, sucking up all of the coins, and the mode didn't turn out to be as fun as Schatz had hoped, he said. Cops and Robbers added a police officer to every level, but the early stages were too easy and the later stages too difficult.

With some tweaks, Schatz said he hoped to bring Cops and Robbers to Monaco "at some point," possibly as DLC.

Monaco's characters evolved along with the gameplay, and Schatz described how each of them spawned, early in development: "The Gentleman used to be a hypnotist, The Lookout used to be the Prowler (parkour expert), The Mole used to be The Muscle, The Pickpocket used to be The Rat (could rat out teammates to save himself). The Redhead had a taser or a pistol at one point. The Pickpocket started out as dwarf twins instead of a man with a monkey." Stranger things.

Once Monaco's final touches were all settled, Schatz said he had an idea to develop a "good console RTS (or at least simple-controls RTS) that is as strategically as deep as the competitive RTSes." First, he has to work on the Monaco level editor, expansions and maybe more ports - he singled out Vita and PS4, while Mac and Linux ports are already on the books.

JoystiqAndy Schatz lets slip scrapped competitive modes for Monaco originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzIndiemicrosoftmonacopcPocketwatch-Gamesredditreddit-amaxboxTue, 14 May 2013 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Monaco unlocks XBLA, out now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/psa-monaco-unlocks-xbla-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/psa-monaco-unlocks-xbla-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/psa-monaco-unlocks-xbla-out-now/#comments Monaco: What's Yours is Mine has finally scarpered onto the Xbox Live Marketplace. After failing to launch last month thanks to a bug that caused disconnects during online play, the top-down indie sneaker is nab-able right now at a cool 1200 MSP.

Going by our review, at that price it's a steal (HA). Jess, a self-confessed crappy crook, gave Monaco four and a half stars, deeming it a "classic heist game for a modern audience."

JoystiqPSA: Monaco unlocks XBLA, out now originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmonacopocketwatch-gamesXBLAXBLMxboxFri, 10 May 2013 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco for XBLA goes full monte this Friday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/monaco-xbla-may-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/monaco-xbla-may-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/monaco-xbla-may-10/#commentsImage Monaco will break out of its Xbox Live Arcade certification holding cell this Friday, May 10. The game, which was supposed to sneak onto XBLA April 24, was delayed due to a bug, which would cause disconnects during online play. The PC version launched as expected.

Our review of the game a couple weeks ago said Monaco "runs deeper than its heist theme, presenting a challenge for hardcore fans of strategy and clever design."

Gallery: Monaco

JoystiqMonaco for XBLA goes full monte this Friday originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzmicrosoftmonacoPocketwatch-GamesxboxMon, 06 May 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco made good on Indie Fund $100K before launch, what it means]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/monaco-made-good-on-indie-fund-100k-before-launch-what-it-mean/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/monaco-made-good-on-indie-fund-100k-before-launch-what-it-mean/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/monaco-made-good-on-indie-fund-100k-before-launch-what-it-mean/#comments Monaco dev on not stealing from Indie Fund, myriad forms of fundingSince 2010, Indie Fund has helped launch high-profile games such as Dear Esther, QUBE and Antichamber, each one recouping investment within days or even hours. The first game in which Indie Fund ever put its faith (and money), Monaco, launched last week and made back its $100,000 investment in negative time, before the game went live on April 24.

Developer Andy Schatz opened Monaco pre-orders via the Humble Store in December, and Steam pre-orders went live on April 17. By April 20, Monaco had grossed $120,000, Schatz said, exceeding its Indie Fund investment a full four days before the game launched.

"For me the most significant thing about the early success with regards to Indie Fund is that it shows that there are many ways of approaching funding, from crowdfunding to investment models like Indie Fund, to personal loans - I know a number of devs that have taken loans from other devs - to the traditional publisher model," Schatz told Joystiq. "More options means the studios can customize their relationships to fit their personalities and their projects."

Schatz used the Indie Fund investment partially to pay contractors and then to sustain himself and company expenses, including trips to PAX. Regardless of the cold, hard numbers, we thought Indie Fund's investment paid off particularly well with Monaco.

JoystiqMonaco made good on Indie Fund $100K before launch, what it means originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzfundingIndie-fundInvestmentmonacopcPocketwatch-GamesMon, 29 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco XBLA delay: Half of bug fixed, another patch to MS this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/monaco-xbla-delay-half-of-bug-fixed-another-patch-to-ms-this-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/monaco-xbla-delay-half-of-bug-fixed-another-patch-to-ms-this-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/28/monaco-xbla-delay-half-of-bug-fixed-another-patch-to-ms-this-w/#comments Monaco XBLA delay Half of bug fixed, another patch to MS this weekMonaco was supposed to hit XBLA on April 24 alongside its PC version, but one day before launch, an issue forced developer Andy Schatz and Pocketwatch Games to delay the XBLA release. Today, Schatz explains that he submitted one fix for the bug, but it needs more work before it can officially launch on XBLA.

"It was a minor but important bug that was causing disconnects in online play," Schatz writes on Facebook. "I submitted an update to attempt to fix the bug early in the week, but unfortunately it only half fixed the problem. I'm working on another fix now that I'm hoping to submit this week. Once it's confirmed fixed it shouldn't take long to push it through and get the game out."

Schatz can't set a release date now since that decision is up to Microsoft, but he promises to share more information as soon as he steals has it.

"I do know that fans are starting to get a little impatient with the lack of information," he says. "I wish I could give you more specific information, but until I have a confirmed fix, I won't be able to give a date. Hoping to have a little more information for you and fill you in on more of the details as soon as I have it!"

For what it's worth (we know you don't get out of bed for less than six figures) we found the PC version of Monaco to be a complex and gorgeous strategy game in the vein of Ocean's 11, but with more pixels.

JoystiqMonaco XBLA delay: Half of bug fixed, another patch to MS this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzDelaymicrosoftmonacoPocketwatch-GamesXBLAxboxSun, 28 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco review: A good day to spy hard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/monaco-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/monaco-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/monaco-review/#comments I'm a terrible thief.

If ever there were an investigation into a string of high-profile burglaries in my neighborhood, all I'd have to do to clear my name is invite some police officers to sit down, get comfortable, and watch me play Monaco for five minutes. The officers would see my glowing, pixelated character get caught on the walls around doorways while running away from hordes of angry guards with guns; they would laugh as I rushed into rooms full of alarms and set off every single one; and they would leave soon after I forgot, again, that my character could dig through walls, hack locked doors or easily knock out unsuspecting enemies, and I'd be a free woman.

Just like I'd planned all along.

Gallery: Monaco

Continue reading Monaco review: A good day to spy hard

JoystiqMonaco review: A good day to spy hard originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmonacopcPocketwatch-GamesxboxFri, 26 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco delayed on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/monaco-delayed-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/monaco-delayed-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/monaco-delayed-on-xbla/#comments Monaco, the award-winning indie heist game from Andy Schatz will miss its launch date tomorrow on XBLA.

"We just discovered that there is an issue which requires that we push back our Xbox Live Arcade game release date a little," reads a missive posted on Facebook. "We've already submitted an update to Microsoft to fix the problem, and as soon as we know that the issue is fixed we'll have a new release date. I know our fans have been waiting a long time for the game, and hopefully they'll have the patience to wait just a little while longer. What's mine will be yours very, very soon!"

Monaco will still launch on PC via Steam tomorrow, April 24, as scheduled. Monaco won the IGF Seumas McNally Grand Prize in 2010, and we've been playing it in various stages of development in the years since.

Majesco is in charge of publishing the XBLA version, while Schatz and Pocketwatch Games are self-publishing the PC version (eventually to be joined by Mac). This is the final day to pre-order Monaco on Steam and grab that 10 percent-off price.

JoystiqMonaco delayed on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DelaydelayedmicrosoftmonacoPocketwatch-GamesXBLAxboxTue, 23 Apr 2013 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco steals our attention with official launch trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/monaco-steals-our-attention-with-official-launch-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/monaco-steals-our-attention-with-official-launch-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/monaco-steals-our-attention-with-official-launch-trailer/#comments

After years of sneaking around the corridors of game conventions and indie festivals, Monaco is finally ready to take a couple bucks out of your wallet (with your permission, of course) on April 24 next week. Here's the game's launch trailer for those who haven't heard of this co-op heist game.

JoystiqMonaco steals our attention with official launch trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmonacopcxboxThu, 18 Apr 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pre-purchase Monaco on Steam for 10% off]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/pre-purchase-monaco-on-steam-for-10-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/pre-purchase-monaco-on-steam-for-10-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/pre-purchase-monaco-on-steam-for-10-off/#comments Prepurchase the hell out of Monaco on SteamMonaco, the game of coordinated heists, is now available for pre-order from Steam. We don't suggest actually trying to steal the game, or anything else - save those proclivities for the daring break-ins you'll enact during the game - but pre-ordering will allow you to at least get away with a 10% discount on either a single copy or a four-pack.

Just pretend you lifted $1.50 out of Andy Schatz's pocket after you bought the game, if that helps. Also, we don't want to be the ones to tell you this, but you've got extremely mild kleptomania.

JoystiqPre-purchase Monaco on Steam for 10% off originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>monacopcpre-ordersteamWed, 17 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco takes what's yours on April 24]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/monaco-takes-whats-yours-on-april-24/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/monaco-takes-whats-yours-on-april-24/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/monaco-takes-whats-yours-on-april-24/#comments Monaco takes what's yours on April 24Monaco is coming to Steam and XBLA on April 24. From Pocketwatch Games, Monaco is a top-down heist game that's been crawling the indie convention circuit and awards shows for years, and it's finally pretty enough to sneak out of development.

Monaco is $15 on PC, with pre-orders available through the Pocketwatch website right now. Take what's yours - and everything that isn't, as the tagline goes.

JoystiqMonaco takes what's yours on April 24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmonacopcPocketwatch-Gamesrelease-datexboxWed, 03 Apr 2013 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Rewards introduces monthly Play to Earn incentives]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/xbox-live-rewards-introduces-monthly-play-to-earn-incentives/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/xbox-live-rewards-introduces-monthly-play-to-earn-incentives/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/xbox-live-rewards-introduces-monthly-play-to-earn-incentives/#comments
Starting this month, the Xbox Live Rewards program is getting a little more active with Play to Earn incentives. As the name implies, Play to Earn allows Xbox Live Rewards members to earn extra rewards by purchasing and playing games. The month of April is dedicated to Xbox Live Arcade, and several rewards are up for grabs. As you might expect, the best ones require you to pony up a little dough.

Playing 20 hours of XBLA games this month will net Rewards members a free Avatar item, while purchasing four XBLA games costing at least 400 MS Points each will earn a free month of Xbox Live Gold. Finally, members who spend 3200 MS Points on XBLA games will receive 800 MS Points back.

That applies to any XBLA games, though Major Nelson conveniently notes that there are quite a few games coming out this month, including Battleblock Theater, Terraria, Monaco, Double Dragon 2, God Mode, Sacred Citadel and Motocross Madness.

JoystiqXbox Live Rewards introduces monthly Play to Earn incentives originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmonacoplay-to-earnxboxxbox-livexbox-live-rewardsMon, 01 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Austin Wintory's journey to the 2013 Grammys]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/27/austin-wintorys-journey-to-the-2013-grammys/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/27/austin-wintorys-journey-to-the-2013-grammys/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/27/austin-wintorys-journey-to-the-2013-grammys/#comments Austin WintoryOn the day Grammy nominations were scheduled to be announced, Austin Wintory didn't get much work done. As the composer for Journey, Wintory had an inkling that he might be nominated in Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, and he was distracted all day, constantly refreshing the Grammy page, scanning for his name. By evening the list still wasn't posted and he gave up on trying to focus. He got in his car, determined to go home, make dinner and then check the page again.

"The instant I got in my car, my email started blinking. Of all people, it was from my friend Christopher Tin, emailing me to say 'CONGRATULATIONS' - in all caps."

Tin won the first Grammy for a piece of video game music, Civilization 4's "Baba Yetu," in 2011. He and Wintory had been friends for years. When Wintory saw that email, he quickly called Tin and the subsequent conversation went something like this:

"What are you - are you on the website?" Wintory asked Tin. "What's going on?"

"Yeah, I'm looking right at it! There you are!" Tin replied. And then, after a second, the situation dawned on him. "Wait a minute - you didn't know this already?"

"No! I'm in my car right now."

"Oh, this is perfect."

Just then Wintory's phone began buzzing, beeping and possibly sobbing under the barrage of emails, texts and calls from friends and well-wishers. Two weeks later, Wintory agrees with Tin's assessment of events.

"As fate had it, I heard from Chris himself," he says. "I had no foresight, I had absolutely no plan, and yet in hindsight, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Continue reading Austin Wintory's journey to the 2013 Grammys

JoystiqAustin Wintory's journey to the 2013 Grammys originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013-grammysAustin-Wintorycomposergrammy-awardsgrammysjourneyleisure-suit-larryleisure-suit-larry-in-the-land-of-the-lounge-lizardsmicrosoftmonacomusicpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 27 Dec 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pre-order Monaco now, get access to prototype version]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/pre-order-monaco-now-get-access-to-prototype-version/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/pre-order-monaco-now-get-access-to-prototype-version/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/pre-order-monaco-now-get-access-to-prototype-version/#comments Preorder Monaco now, get access to prototype versionPre-orders are now open for the PC release of Monaco, the stylish top-down heist action game. Right now, pre-orders cost $13.50, $1.50 off the normal price. It's a steal! You know, like ... like the thing the game is about. If you know you're going to be playing with a crew, you can buy a four-pack for $45.

When you pre-order, you'll get two tracks from Austin Wintory's soundrack, plus sheet music, and coolest of all, a copy of the 2010 IGF prototype, which has since been renamed Monte Carlo. So you can kind of be playing Monaco even before Monaco's still-unknown release date. And for even more instant gratification, watch creator Andy Schatz streaming the game here.

JoystiqPre-order Monaco now, get access to prototype version originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betamicrosoftmonacopcpre-orderxboxWed, 12 Dec 2012 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco pre-orders start this week, 'Wednesday is the plan']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/monaco-pre-orders-start-this-week-wednesday-is-the-plan/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/monaco-pre-orders-start-this-week-wednesday-is-the-plan/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/monaco-pre-orders-start-this-week-wednesday-is-the-plan/#comments Monaco preorders start this week, 'Wednesday is the plan'Monaco: What's Yours is Mine, the stylized, indie, heist game from Andy Schatz and Pocketwatch Games, will be available for pre-order this week - "Wednesday is the plan" - according to the official Monaco Twitter.

Monaco pre-orders will go through the Humble Store and will come with a Steam key, and Schatz will have four-packs available. "Also there will be some MAJOR preorder bonus goodies," the Monaco Twitter promises.

Schatz previously slated Monaco for a simultaneous launch on PC and XBLA, with Mac to follow.

JoystiqMonaco pre-orders start this week, 'Wednesday is the plan' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzIndiemacmicrosoftmonacopcPocketwatch-Gamesrelease-datexboxMon, 10 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco coming to XBLA and PC simultaneously]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/16/monaco-coming-to-xbla-and-pc-simultaneously/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/16/monaco-coming-to-xbla-and-pc-simultaneously/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/16/monaco-coming-to-xbla-and-pc-simultaneously/#comments
For years, Pocketwatch Games' multiplayer heist-action game Monaco has been a hit at trade shows, award ceremonies and Joystiq parties. Now, Joystiq can exclusively reveal that it's going to be playable in your very own home on XBLA and Steam (for both Mac and PC).

There's no release date, but the self-published PC version will be released simultaneously with the Majesco-published XBLA release - Pocketwatch isn't sure if the Mac version will be day-and-date, but "we're doing our best."

"Monaco was originally designed to be played with four friends on the couch, all planning and executing a heist together," designer Andy Schatz said. Pocketwatch has added four-player online co-op to all the versions, in addition to the couch-based co-op and the single player ("the stealthiest version," Schatz calls it.) The XBLA release facilitates the authentic couch multiplayer by putting the game on a couch-friendly console. Schatz said that he met with Majesco at PAX East and "the stars aligned."

Gallery: Monaco

Continue reading Monaco coming to XBLA and PC simultaneously

JoystiqMonaco coming to XBLA and PC simultaneously originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmajescomicrosoftmonacopcpocketwatch-gamessteamxblaxboxTue, 16 Oct 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie Megabooth devs let anyone ask them anything]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/indie-megabooth-devs-let-anyone-ask-them-anything/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/indie-megabooth-devs-let-anyone-ask-them-anything/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/indie-megabooth-devs-let-anyone-ask-them-anything/#comments
Image

At PAX East this weekend, 16 popular indie developers (plus one "bonus" developer) will congregate into a super-giant indie creature in the first-ever Indie Megabooth. Developers include Ska Studios, Strange Loop Games, Retro Affect, Dejobaan Games, Fire Hose Games, DrinkBox Studios, Pocketwatch Games, Carbon Games and the rest -- to get the indie love flowing, the previously mentioned developers are running an "Ask Me Anything" thread on Reddit, right now.

So far, we've learned that each developer gets 99 bitches a day and that most of them cried while playing Journey. Andy Schatz of Pocketwatch Games, Eitan Glinert of Fire Hose and Retro Affect's David Carrigg have also offered differing perspectives on the possibility of indie development for the Wii U, or any Nintendo system in general.

Said Glinert: "We're not. I don't know any small third party companies that make any serious money there. Nintendo sadly isn't serious about supporting non-Nintendo companies, and so it's not worthwhile for us to spend the time and effort bringing our games to their platform. Sad face."

Schatz disagreed with the doomsday sentiment: "Speak for yourself Eitan! I haven't announced platforms for Monaco yet, but WiiU is still a possibility! Nintendo is slow to change (which is weird given the crazy innovation on their software side), but the boulder is finally starting to move wrt their digital sales storefront."

Carrigg said Nintendo's eShop is "far behind" the XBLA and PSN competition, but Retro Affect has been talking to Nintendo and would "really like to work with them. I would not be surprised to see a Retro Affect game on a Nintendo platform sometime in the future."

James Silva of Ska Studios addressed the lack of deadly dishwasher games on PC, saying he wants to make PC titles, but for now that would be a problematic process. The AMA is ongoing (as of this posting) so head on over and uncover some you-specific bits of information from this mega-group of indies.

JoystiqIndie Megabooth devs let anyone ask them anything originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AMAask-me-anythingCarbon-Gamesdejobaandrinkbox-studiosfire-hose-gamesIndieindie-megaboothmacmicrosoftmobilemonaconintendopcplaystationPocketwatch-Gamesps3redditretro-affectska-studiosstrange-loop-gameswiiwii-uxboxTue, 03 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First full-level playthrough of Monaco is intense, even for a casino heist]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/first-full-level-playthrough-of-monaco-is-intense-even-for-a-ca/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/first-full-level-playthrough-of-monaco-is-intense-even-for-a-ca/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/first-full-level-playthrough-of-monaco-is-intense-even-for-a-ca/#comments

Last year Monaco won the Seumas McNally Grand Prize and the Excellence in Design awards at the IGF, and this year developer Andy Schatz is hosting the entire show -- and Monaco isn't even out yet. It does, however, look like it can live up to its seemingly preemptive praise in the above video, which offers the game's first full-level run-through. (We've got a preview for you as well!)

The video shows Schatz playing a co-op level, Monte Carlo Casino Heist, with the Hacker and the Pickpocket characters. The gameplay seems frantic, perhaps because this is a later level and Schatz knows what he's doing fairly well, or maybe because robbing a casino is a chaotic task in general.

Monaco will launch on PC/Mac and at least one console when it's finally completed.

JoystiqFirst full-level playthrough of Monaco is intense, even for a casino heist originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzmicrosoftmonacoMonte-Carlo-Casino-HeistpcxboxThu, 19 Jan 2012 20:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Cliff Bleszinski to host GDC Awards, Schatz returns for IGF Awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/cliff-bleszinski-to-host-gdc-awards-schatz-returns-for-igf-awar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/cliff-bleszinski-to-host-gdc-awards-schatz-returns-for-igf-awar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/cliff-bleszinski-to-host-gdc-awards-schatz-returns-for-igf-awar/#comments Planning to attend GDC? If you are, you'll get to see everyone's favorite design director of Epic Games, Cliff Bleszinski, host the 12th annual Game Developers Choice Awards, replacing Double Fine's Tim Schafer as host. The Independent Games Festival Awards is kicking it old-school with 2007-2009's host, Andy Schatz of Monaco, winner of the Seumas McNally Grand Prize and Excellence in Design awards in 2010's IGF.

Peruse the list of finalists for both award shows right here, and look for winners to be announced March 7 from GDC.

JoystiqCliff Bleszinski to host GDC Awards, Schatz returns for IGF Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzawardscliff-bleszinskiCliffyBgame-developers-choice-awardsGDCgdc-2012igfmacmicrosoftmobilemonacopcplaystationPocketwatch-Gamesps3xboxTue, 17 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco preview: Get in, get out, get paid]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/monaco-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/monaco-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/monaco-preview/#comments You know what? My friends and I are better thieves than George Clooney. Well, we are if Monaco is any indication.

Sure, George may have all the charm and handsomeness, but if there's any one trait I look for in my friends, it's the appreciation of a good heist. And Monaco is all about stealing some stuff.

The premise of Monaco is simple: Take your team into a heavily guarded building to steal a trophy, and get out without getting caught or killed. A retro feel, a top-down camera angle, and a simplified control scheme comprise its approach to getting some co-op good times going.

Rather than implement an overly complex control scheme that requires a specific set of controls for each class, Monaco designer Andy Schatz has culled the controls down to a two-button system. Every action, like hacking a computer, breaking into a safe or unlocking the door to the escape car is done by running into the object for a couple of seconds.

Gallery: Monaco

Continue reading Monaco preview: Get in, get out, get paid

JoystiqMonaco preview: Get in, get out, get paid originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzmacmicrosoftmonacopax-2011pax-prime-2011pcplaystationpocketwatch-gamesps3PSNXBLAxboxTue, 06 Sep 2011 09:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Pay what you want for a Monaco shirt]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/pay-what-you-want-for-a-monaco-shirt/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/pay-what-you-want-for-a-monaco-shirt/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/pay-what-you-want-for-a-monaco-shirt/#comments Get a jump on Monaco fandom by buying merch in advance of the game's release -- even in advance of any announcement of a release! Pocketwatch Games is taking orders on Monaco t-shirts, in order to help support the ongoing development of the heist game. It's a gesture of courtesy, considering the team has all the inspiration it needs for moneymaking initiatives right in the game.

Pocketwatch is selling the t-shirts under a "pay what you want" model, sort of like the Humble Indie Bundle, but for a more tangible, wearable bundle. You have to pay at least $8 for the shirt and $6 shipping to cover costs, but you're free to throw in as much extra as you like. If you pay $19 or more, you'll get a button; $94 or more gets you a set of four. And the developers get to continue eating food while making Monaco.

JoystiqPay what you want for a Monaco shirt originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>monacopay-what-you-wantpcpocketwatch-gamest-shirtThu, 28 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Empty Clip Studios porting Monaco into multiplatform engine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/empty-clip-studios-porting-monaco-into-multiplatform-engine/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/empty-clip-studios-porting-monaco-into-multiplatform-engine/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/25/empty-clip-studios-porting-monaco-into-multiplatform-engine/#comments Andy Schatz's four-player rob-em-up Monaco is currently built in Microsoft's XNA framework, a format that is fine for PC and Xbox Live Indie Games, but precludes a release on any other platform. Schatz is solving that problem with the help of Empty Clip Studios, who is using its RapidFire Engine to make a more multiplatform-friendly Monaco.

Schatz announced this porting process on Twitter, but didn't specify any platforms but one -- in a followup tweet, he revealed that " at the very least it means that Monaco will be on Mac... still haven't announced other platforms."

JoystiqEmpty Clip Studios porting Monaco into multiplatform engine originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>empty-clip-studiosmacmonacopcpocketwatch-gamesrapidfire-engineMon, 25 Jul 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Relive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/relive-the-joystiq-e3-2011-meetup-through-this-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/relive-the-joystiq-e3-2011-meetup-through-this-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/relive-the-joystiq-e3-2011-meetup-through-this-video/#comments Max Paolucci (thankfully) took some video of the Joystiq E3 meetup, both as evidence it actually happened (that whole week was a blur) and as a kindness to those unable to physically attend. It suffices to say that we love Max dearly.

Continue reading Relive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video

JoystiqRelive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-central-2dse3e3-2011macmicrosoftmobilemonaconintendopcplaystationps3pspreader-meetupretro-city-rampageretrogradesonyspypartywiixboxzombiesMon, 13 Jun 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 reader meetup: Monaco]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/e3-reader-meetup-monaco/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/e3-reader-meetup-monaco/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/e3-reader-meetup-monaco/#comments Monaco is basically the game version of the film Heat ... basically. Four co-op players control one class each, working together towards pulling off a successful heist. As you can see in the gameplay demo after the break, Monaco employs an interpretation of a top-down view for gameplay, with pixelated characters navigating perils toward the eventual thievery.

If the unique premise doesn't do it for you, the gorgeous graphical style should. Remember Loaded (and Re-Loaded) for PlayStation 1? That's okay, most people don't, but that's the nearest it gets in terms of graphical similarity -- and that was 16 years ago. It's worth noting that Monaco isn't anywhere near as brutally violent/gory as Loaded, they just both feature a beautiful top-down art style.

Anyway, developer Pocketwatch Games is bringing Monaco to our E3 2011 Reader Meetup Extravaganza this coming Friday evening for attendees to play, and we think you'd be a fool to miss it. In preparation for the event, Pocketwatch Games kindly sent over new images, which we've dropped into the gallery below. Pocketwatch dev Andy Schatz notes that since maps are "generated dynamically from the level data," folks will be able to create levels with the same complexity as the devs themselves, "or whatever they want." However, we get the feeling that our levels won't look quite as good as Pocketwatch's.

Gallery: Monaco (E3 2011 meetup)

Continue reading E3 reader meetup: Monaco

JoystiqE3 reader meetup: Monaco originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzco-ope3-2011monacopcpocketwatch-gamesreader-meetupSun, 05 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Come hang out with Joystiq (and play a bunch of great games!) at our E3 2011 reader meetup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/come-hang-out-with-joystiq-and-play-a-bunch-of-great-games-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/come-hang-out-with-joystiq-and-play-a-bunch-of-great-games-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/come-hang-out-with-joystiq-and-play-a-bunch-of-great-games-at/#comments We love you, Los Angeles, you know that. Sure, it's been awhile since we last hung out, but we wanna make that up to you. And not just any boring old dinner-and-a-movie kinda thing either, a full blown party! Next Friday, June 10, Joystiq will take over the La Cita bar in downtown LA between 5:30 and 9:00PM PST for a game-filled, giveaway-packed reader meetup.

As our staff will be all up in your city for the duration of next week, we took the liberty of renting out a bar for a few hours so you -- our best friends -- could hang out, talk about the week's big news, play a bunch of great games, and take all the game swag that's been piling up in our domiciles. Chris Hecker will be swinging through with SpyParty, as will Andy Schatz with Monaco, to name just a few of the games/game devs at the event. And how about a chance to play Harmonix' next project before anyone else? 'Cause that'll totally be there too.

Unfortunately, for our friends under 21, the event space is restricted to those of us with legal access to alcohol. We're really sorry and we still love you! It was, as they say, out of our hands. An extra big thank you to all of our participants!

SpyParty, Chris Hecker (@SpyParty)
Nidhogg, Mark Essen (@Messhof)
Unannounced Project, Ska Studios (@SkaStudios)
Monaco, Pocketwatch Games (@MonacoIsMine)
Retro City Rampage, Brian Provinciano (@RetroCR)
Q.U.B.E., Toxic Games (@qubegame)
Unannounced Project, Harmonix (@Harmonix)

Still with us? Head past the break for details, and make sure to RSVP on our Facebook event page so we know how many of you to expect!

Continue reading Come hang out with Joystiq (and play a bunch of great games!) at our E3 2011 reader meetup

JoystiqCome hang out with Joystiq (and play a bunch of great games!) at our E3 2011 reader meetup originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzbrian-provincianoe3-2011harmonixharmonix-music-systemsmacmark-essenmicrosoftmobilemonaconidhoggpcplaystationpocketwatch-gamesps3q.u.b.e.reader-meetupretro-city-rampageska-studiosspypartytoxic-gamesxboxThu, 02 Jun 2011 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq live at the IGF/GDC Awards 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/joystiq-live-at-the-igf-gdc-awards-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/joystiq-live-at-the-igf-gdc-awards-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/joystiq-live-at-the-igf-gdc-awards-2010/#comments

Update: Uncharted 2 wins big (again) at the Game Developers Choice Awards, and Pocketwatch Games' Monaco takes home the IGF Awards' Seumas McNally Prize. A complete list of winners is posted after the break, followed by our liveblog coverage.

Continue reading Joystiq live at the IGF/GDC Awards 2010

JoystiqJoystiq live at the IGF/GDC Awards 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardsgame-developers-choice-awardsgdcgdc-2010igfigf-2010monacouncharted-2Uncharted-2-Among-ThievesThu, 11 Mar 2010 21:34:00 EST