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N+ dev announces 'Office Yeti,' Robotology 'nowhere near complete'

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 12th 2009 at 6:00PM }

We're pretty big fans of indie developer Metanet Software's first offering, N+. That may explain why we were so excited for the announcement of a second currently-in-development title on the company's blog -- Office Yeti. Another explanation could be that the game is about a freakin' yeti in an office. The game is still early in development and was only being worked on "part-time" until recently. Metanet teases Rampage and Skool Daze-inspired gameplay, calling it: "A single-player action/puzzle/simulation game in which players assume control of a yeti who works in an office." Magical!

Unfortunately, it appears that we won't be seeing anything new on Robotology in the near future, as the developer is still working hard on having a playable entry for the IGF deadline this November. "Despite months and months of work, it's still nowhere near complete, but at the same time we've managed to get most of the vital parts figured out," Metanet says. Aside from the teasing of possible screenshots coming soon, it looks like we're not going to get anything new this year to play. Sometimes a taste of honey is worse than none at all.

Source 1 - Metanet
Source 2 - Metanet

[Via Offworld]

Thank the Canadian government for these great games

by Ben Gilbert { Aug 9th 2009 at 7:30PM }

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?

Jump for joy: N+ is XBLM Deal of the Week

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 6th 2009 at 10:15AM }

This week's Xbox Live "Deal of the Week" is Metanet's N+ for 560

($7). This confirms Friday's post by Metanet that the game ....

wait a second.

Metanet stated that the game would be "50% off," which means that the game, regularly priced at 800

($10), should be 400

($5)! Back up our mathematicals here, people. Did someone change the rules of percentages over the weekend and not send out a memo?

Update: OK, now it's 400

($5).

Add N+ to your Xbox 360 download queue

The first video of N+ dev's 'Robotology'

by Ben Gilbert { Jul 5th 2009 at 11:30AM }

In fairness, Metanet Software's first video for Robotology (found after the break) is more physics demo than it is gameplay demo -- or even proof of concept, for that matter. Though considering the pedigree behind the game (Metanet made N+, this week's Xbox Live deal!), we're willing to overlook the less than thrilling minute-plus video in celebration of the sheer tenacity with which Metanet attacks its game development.

In fact, according to the Metanet website, the action in the video represents, "almost 800 lines of code, painstakingly hand-transcribed from graph paper and Flash mockups" -- oh my! Here's hoping it all pays off when the game ships ... eventually. And now, friends, we play the waiting game.

[Via Eurogamer]

Continued →

Metanet: N+ next week's Xbox Live deal

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 3rd 2009 at 11:15AM }

Developer Metanet has revealed that its excellent platformer, N+, will be XBLA's Deal of the Week for July 6-12. The developer states that the title will be sold at 50 percent off, making it 400

($5) and a must buy.

Of course, as we've learned countless times, nothing is official until Microsoft says so on Monday. Check back next week for final confirmation -- and loads of sad emoticons if the company decides otherwise.

ESRB rates Ghostbusters, two other Atari DS titles for DSi

by JC Fletcher { Apr 16th 2009 at 5:10PM }

The DSi category of the ESRB's database is currently pretty small, containing only eight games, including some of the current first-party DSiWare (not all of the existing games are visible yet), a few Gameloft games (Brain Challenge, Real Soccer 2009, American Popstar Road to Celebrity), and ... three Atari games. Specifically, Ghostbusters, N+, and The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity, all of which are now listed as both DS and DSi games.

These are the only games in the whole database to have such a distinction -- and the only DSi-listed games that aren't downloads. Unless they are!

We don't want to be rumormongers, and we don't want to jump to conclusions, so we'll lay out the possibilities that have occurred to us, from most exciting to least exciting:

Atari is planning to digitally distribute DS games via DSiWare, starting with Ghostbusters and extending into its back catalog.
The publisher will release special DSi-enhanced cartridge versions of the games.
The updated listings are a mistake.

Atari PR had the following to say in response: "Unfortunately, no official word from Atari. We'll let this stay a rumor for now ;)"

Gallery: Ghostbusters

N+ coming to Europe this Spring

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 9th 2009 at 10:30AM }

Atari's insanely difficult ninja-themed platformer, N+, will finally see release in Europe. Although available in the US since August, the PSP and DS versions of the game will be available this Spring. The PSP version will arrive in March, while the DS version will arrive in April.

Both versions of the game were highly regarded by PSP and DS Fanboy. Regardless of platform, European gamers should be thrilled at this new opportunity to throw their systems in frustration.

[Image Source]

Gallery: N+

DS Daily: Most recommended?

by Alisha Karabinus { Dec 19th 2008 at 9:00AM }

Today, over on Wii Fanboy, we thought we'd discuss the worst games of the year. Here? We want to hear about some of the best, but with a twist: we want to know what games you recommended most often. Did you tell all your friends that the paddle controller made Space Invaders Extreme the business? Did you sing the praises of N+, despite its free counterparts? What did you recommend?

This blogger's most recommended, of course, was the extremely excellent Professor Layton. If I passed you on the street, I might have told you to play it.

Harrison: Atari to focus on downloadable PSP titles

by Majed Athab { Dec 8th 2008 at 10:30AM }

Monsieur Phil Harrison, AKA directeur général délégué des Infogrames, had some words of praise for the PSP at Atari's global showcase last week in London as he called it a "vibrant platform." However, the praise falls short of software support as Phil said the company currently wasn't going to make any new game announcements for the system.

Harrison noted, while not having anything specific to speak of, that Atari does have interest in going the route of e-distribution titles. Said Harrison: "There is no doubt that PSP is a very vibrant platform from a hardware perspective and I think Sony has recently made some good moves into opening up online distribution for software on PSP, so I'm looking to explore that." A downloadable version of N+ would be a great start, Phil!

And our latest contest winner is ...

by Joystiq Staff { Dec 4th 2008 at 10:35PM }

Well, our latest giveaway has come to a close and it's about time we chose the winner. The winner of our prize pack is none other than:

Adam, who will likely share the gift with his cheesecake

Congrats to our winners and better luck next time to all of you. Keep your eyes on DS Fanboy. We'll be starting up another giveaway soon.

Reminder: NSMB DS Lite and 3 games up for grabs

by Joystiq Staff { Nov 27th 2008 at 5:30PM }

Hey folks, you like free stuff, right? Of course you do! So have you checked out our latest giveaway yet? Well, if you haven't, you should, as we've got plenty of goodies up for grabs. Head right on over to the giveaway post here and see how to enter. Best of luck to you all and thanks for reading!

Thankswagging: Holiday prize pack up for grabs

by David Hinkle { Nov 26th 2008 at 10:47AM }

We've got a special giveaway lined up for you this week. We're calling it Thankswagging, bundling together a bunch of items for one lucky reader as a thanks for, well ... just being you! We appreciate you guys (and gals!) stopping by every day to read us and make our cold, dark corner of the internet a little brighter. So, we're running this giveaway starting today and ending Sunday, November 30th at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected the following day via random drawing. To enter, simply tell us what you're thankful for this year. It can be gaming related or not. Just tell us what you're thankful for!

One lucky reader will walk away with a New Super Mario Bros. DS Lite bundle ($150), along with a copy of Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian ($20), N+ ($20), and The Sims 2: Apartment Pets ($20). Of course, we've got a couple of rules. For one, you have to be at least 18 years of age and a current and legal resident of the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec) and you may enter once per day. Also, before entering, read the official rules right here.

Best of luck to you all and thanks for reading!

Gaming to Go: N+

by Matthew Madeiro { Oct 27th 2008 at 6:30PM }

Perhaps you've heard of N+. It's been covered only a teeny bit here on DS Fanboy, so it's pretty unforgivable if this is your first encounter with the masochistic Ninja platformer. Masochistic may not even be a strong enough word, honestly. N+ has built up a reputation all across the vast internet as being ridiculously difficult, much like its web-based predecessor. Whether N+ is a solid recreation of the original N's gameplay is a somewhat controversial subject, but anyone who's given it a whirl can probably agree on one point: it is awesome for gaming on the go.

Your miniature ninja is blessed with amazing speed and skill, though it comes at a heavy price: a lifespan of precisely 1.5 minutes. As you might imagine, this makes N+ perfect for quick bursts of play, as you'll never spend more than a few minutes trying to clear a set of levels. Sound interesting? Stab that big button down there and come see why N+ is a beautiful thing indeed if you're looking for some quick ninja-flavored challenge in your daily commute.

Gallery: N+

NEXT >>

Free N+ level pack leaps onto XBLM

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 15th 2008 at 4:00PM }

Tiny ninja fans rejoice! A new level pack for the high jumpin', wall slidin' platformer N+ is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Oh, but that's not all. It's also 100% completely, totally free! So, that's pretty cool right? The folks at Metanet have also annoucned a new "contesque" in which you could win a copy of N+ on your platform of choice. All you have to do is send a picture of an N+ related costume or craft, or a piece of digital art. Head over to Metanet for full details, and go get that level pack!

[Thanks, Brian. Via Joystiq]

Free N+ level pack now available on XBLM

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Oct 15th 2008 at 1:30PM }

It's a testament to the excellent platforming of N+ that we haven't gotten sick of playing it yet. And by that, we mean we haven't grown tired of plummeting to our dooms and watching our lithe ninja bodies succumb to gravity in the worst of bone-crunching, limb-mangling ways.

Though developer Metanet suggests it has "tried to tone down the difficulty" in the free level pack hitting Xbox Live Arcade today, we're certain millions of gruesome fates await us in the 150 new single-player levels, 50 new race levels and 50 new co-op levels. That's a lot of new for nothing, no?