Joystiq

Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD coming Q2, see Munch's new model

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

Just Add Water, the developer responsible for bringing Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath back to life in high definition, will be releasing its HD remake of Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee by the end of Q2, according to the dev's Twitter account.

As our more crotchety readers will surely remember, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee was a launch title for the original Xbox, as well as the second chapter in the tragically unfinished Oddworld pentalogy. At the moment, all we have is the announcement, a logo and a small image of Munch's updated character model (which you can see after the break), but rest assured that we'll be on this like Sligs on a Mudokon.

Continue reading Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD coming Q2, see Munch's new model

Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD coming Q2, see Munch's new model originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD reaches PSN by year's end

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST

If you weren't overwhelmed by the glut of new games in 2011, there were plenty of polished oldies to keep you occupied -- and we'll have to make room for one more of those before 2012 sets up shop. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD is coming to the European PSN on December 21, and to the US store on December 27.

Headed by Gravity Crash developer Just Add Water, the Stranger's Wrath overhaul contains -- among other things -- upgraded character models, enriched environments, bug fixes, difficulty modifiers and even minor corrections to visual continuity. (Example: "Sekto's Office has been changed to more closely resemble that seen in the FMV.") You'll get all that for $14.99 (or £9.99), alongside the stuff we loved back in 2005: unusual weaponry, off-beat characters and, err, not-so-subtle commentary on the ecological devastation wrought by rampant consumerism and corporate expansion. It's Oddworld.

Just Add Water also announced via Twitter that the HD updates would come to the PC version of Stranger's Wrath within two to three months. The PlayStation 3 game will also get an update within a "couple months," adding the Move and 3D support that was planned but not implemented in time.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD reaches PSN by year's end originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD Trophies rounded up

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:16:00 EST

While playing Oddworld's weirdo western is reward enough, Stranger's Wrath HD wouldn't be considered a complete update without in-game gongs. Developer Just Add Water has posted a list of the game's Trophies and, as a pleasant bonus, a reminder that you get to foil the schemes of one "Fatty McBoomBoom."

According to an Oddworld representative posting in the comments, these Trophies should also become available on the Steam version of Stranger's Wrath, and any subsequent platform that supports achievements.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD is complete, according to the developers, and now awaits a final release date on PS3 and Vita. Talks with Microsoft regarding an Xbox 360 version are still ongoing.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD Trophies rounded up originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD complete, release date coming soon

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:45:00 EST

Developer Just Add Water has finished work on the PS3 HD update of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath ... now it just needs to figure out a release date. The company says a release date should be announced "soon," and passed along a list of updates it made from the original 2005 Xbox title.

The list is pretty extensive, but some highlights include: updates to all 84 character models (including the live ammo), general environmental upgrades like reflective water, enhanced audio, and everything runs at 720P at 60FPS in widescreen.

For those willing to wait for a portable version of the update, Just Add Water announced in June that Stranger's Wrath and Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee would mosey on over to the PlayStation Vita, complete with cross-platform cloud save functionality.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD complete, release date coming soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just Add Water working on four Oddworld games for this year

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST

After news surfaced last summer that Gravity Crash developer Just Add Water is working on multiple Oddworld projects, we wondered just what the UK-based dev had up its sleeves. And while we already heard about remakes of Stranger's Wrath headed for PlayStation 3 and Abe's Oddyseey for unknown platforms, a post on the company's official site meant to solicit new talent also revealed that said talent "would be working on various Oddworld Inhabitants-based projects, with four to be released THIS year [their emphasis]."

Given that we know of two other Oddworld titles getting remakes -- notably the first and the last of the series -- it stands to reason that Abe's Exoddus and Munch's Oddysee are also getting the HD treatment. Just Add Water is staying mum for now, though, instead choosing to tantalize us with vague blog posts. That said, don't go getting your hopes up for that long awaited new entry in the Oddworld series -- last we heard, it was "on hold."

And hey, if you're a programmer or artist in the UK with a penchant for working with strange creatures, Just Add Water's hiring!

Just Add Water working on four Oddworld games for this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddboxx coming to more online stores

Justin McElroy — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:07:00 EST

Series fans were thrilled by last year's Steam release of The Oddboxx, a four-game Oddworld collection, but many were left in the cold. "I don't live anywhere near a Steam store, how am I supposed to get a copy?" has been the common refrain. But worry no more, because as of March 7 the game will be available at D2D, Stardock, Amazon, GamersGate locations across the globe. Surely, you'll have at least one of those nearby?

As a bonus, those who venture to one of those stores will find Oddboxxes littered with 50%-off stickers; the game will be half-off its $25 asking price between March 7-14.

Oddboxx coming to more online stores originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Abe's Exoddus completed without benefit of sight

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:15:00 EST

We've seen incredible feats with feet, but a blind man completing Abe's Exoddus just by sound is pretty inspirational. Terry Garrett, a 23-year-old mechanical engineering student from Colorado Springs, can play the game based only on what he hears -- so, on that note, the sound design team should also take a bow.

Oddworld.com has a detailed interview with Garrett, who explains how playing Abe's Exoddus by sound is even possible, describing the set number of footsteps Abe has on screen, the trial and error process of finding game elements that don't have audio cues and all the sound design decisions that assist his gameplay. Check out the video after the break where Garrett explains what he sees while playing through his mind's eye.

Continue reading Abe's Exoddus completed without benefit of sight

Abe's Exoddus completed without benefit of sight originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Oddboxx to launch in the '2010 Holiday Season' on Steam

David Hinkle — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:50:00 EST

As promised, Oddworld Inhabitants reports it will successfully launch The Oddboxx before the end of 2010. A collection of the studio's previous Oddworld games, The Oddboxx includes Abe's Oddysee and Abe's Exoddus, as well as Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath -- the latter two games' first appearance on the PC platform.

Launching on Steam during "the 2010 Holiday Season," gamers will be able to download each title individually or in a complete bundle. Expect "a few new additions and enhancements" to the games, which Oddworld Inhabitants says will be announced "in the run-up to its release date."

The Oddboxx to launch in the '2010 Holiday Season' on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lorne Lanning laments 'The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot' that never was

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST

Game Informer has posted its recent print interview with Oddworld Inhabitants founder Lorne Lanning, a (five-years-later) followup to the magazine's April 2005 announcement of The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot, OWI's would-be effort to delve further into the "more hardcore" elements of the Oddworld ... world.

After finding the situation with EA (which published OWI's Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath on Xbox in 2005) "unworkable," Lanning recounted, OWI turned to Majesco to fund and publish the Fangus project, another Xbox game built on Stranger's core framework. But only a month after the game's announcement, "the shenanigans started" and OWI shut down its development studio. "Sometimes developers get fired by publishers and sometimes developers fire publishers," Lanning said coyly, "and that's probably all I should say about it."

Publisher "incompetence" aside, Fangus did sound like an odd pitch: A "close to the Earth" dog-man herdsman turned "pit fighting" slave -- to the Russian-like cat mafia -- who escapes his years-long imprisonment a hardened killer dead set on vengeance and the liberation of his people ("the timeless mythical battle between cats and dogs," in other words). Also, Fangus has terminal rabies and "would control a flock of ravenous sheep-like creatures to take down enemies and solve puzzles," according to GI's description. "We wanted it to be really hardcore," Lanning concluded.

Continue reading Lorne Lanning laments 'The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot' that never was

Lorne Lanning laments 'The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot' that never was originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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File size restriction currently keeping Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath from XBLA

JC Fletcher — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST

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

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath was an Xbox exclusive. Why, then, is the remake exclusive to PlayStation 3? Developer Just Add Water says that it isn't -- theoretically. "Whilst I can't go into complete detail on this," a news post on the company's website states, "I can tell you that we are NOT PS3 Exclusive. As far as we are concerned we are a multi-platform company, supporting the big 3, PC/PS3 & 360."

The specific reason why Stranger's Wrath isn't on 360 yet is a surprising one, one we haven't heard for a while: XBLA size restrictions. "On XBLA there is a 2 GigaByte size limit we have to adhere to," the developer said. "Currently the title weighs in at 2.1GB and that is without any updates, so either we have to pull a miracle out of the bag with some type of amazing compression system, or ask Microsoft to increase their 2GB limit, however this limit is apparently hardware led, so please let us try and make a miracle happen." Don't worry, Oddworld fans. Microsoft increasing the XBLA size limit is less a "miracle" and more "inevitable."

File size restriction currently keeping Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath from XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stranger's Wrath HD the first of six Oddworld projects from Just Add Water

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:22:00 EST

The Oddworld franchise is making a comeback, starting with a remastered version of Stranger's Wrath created by a small team at Just Add Water. The developer's ambition encompasses six Oddworld projects in total -- that's an Oddworld Quintology plus one.

"Well for one I'm a HUGE fan, and always have been, all the way back to 1997," said Stewart Gilray, managing director of Just Add Water. "Other members of the team are also fans, and as a company we all care deeply about the project, and will only sign off on it ourselves, when we are happy with it in every aspect."

Talking to Joystiq via email, Gilray explained that his company's collaboration with Oddworld Inhabitants started when he was introduced to series creator Lorne Lanning, during the 2009 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. Hello. Follow me. Isn't that how all these deals happen?

Continue reading Stranger's Wrath HD the first of six Oddworld projects from Just Add Water

Stranger's Wrath HD the first of six Oddworld projects from Just Add Water originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath remake coming to PS3 in 2011

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:17:00 EST

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

Are you ready, Steef? Just Add Water is working on a high-definition remake of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. The Gravity Crash developer announced the project earlier today, highlighting it as the first in a "long and fruitful relationship" with the original game's developer, Oddworld Inhabitants. "Having a chance to update the great title and release it on PS3 is just a brilliant opportunity, not least for us, but for the fans too," added Just Add Water MD Stewart Gilray.

Set for release on PlayStation Network during Easter next year, the PS3 remake of Stranger's Wrath will offer enhanced 720p visuals, more detailed character models, remastered dialogue, PlayStation Move support and "additional bonus material."

When it launched on Xbox in January 2005, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath was notable for being, well, a really bizarre first-person shooter. It placed the franchise's environmental missive inside a wild and weird Western aesthetic, and replaced ammunition with ravenous fuzzballs. An EA-developed port for PlayStation 2 never made it to stores.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath remake coming to PS3 in 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld games permanently marked down to $5.99 on GoG

David Hinkle — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:31:00 EST

In the market for some classic puzzle-platformer action? Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee and Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus have both been permanently marked down to $5.99 on the DRM-free digital distribution service, GoG.com. Frankly, we can't think of a better way to wind down the summer than by saving a bunch of Mudokons (and saving some cash). Follow us!

Oddworld games permanently marked down to $5.99 on GoG originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Oddworld games in the works at Just Add Water

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:20:00 EST

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

The long-dormant Oddworld franchise is ready to make its return. Just Add Water, developer of Gravity Crash, has been working with Oddworld Inhabitants on "multiple projects, across multiple platforms ... starring all of your favorite Oddworld characters." Just Add Water Managing Director Stewart Gilray has also revealed that franchise creator Lorne Lanning is involved in the new projects.

While further details aren't yet available, a few more teases will be revealed on the PS Nation podcast tonight. To keep abreast of any breaking revelations, you can also follow AbeMudokon on Twitter.

New Oddworld games in the works at Just Add Water originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Oddworld on hold, old Oddworlds coming to Steam this year

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST

A couple of years ago, Maxis co-founder Jeff Braun decided it was a good time to start teasing us with the prospect of a new installment in the Oddworld franchise. We've been desperately nurturing that little glimmer of hope since his announcement -- but we might have to extinguish our excitement for the time being. The series' creator, Lorne Lanning, recently told G4TV that the next Oddworld game has been put "on the shelf."

"There's a lot of shakeup going on [in the gaming industry]," Lanning explained, "and in that turmoil, we didn't really want to put the Oddworld brand out there in the middle of it." Looks like our Oddworld desires will have to be sated by the Oddbox collection, which will bring the series' four console outings to Steam later this year -- or by purchasing the first two games on Steam together, right now, for $9.99.

New Oddworld on hold, old Oddworlds coming to Steam this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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European PSN releases for April 15

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST

This week's European PSN update caters to a wide variety of interests. Fan of humorous adventure games? Check out the first episode of Sam & Max - The Devil's Playhouse. Looking to revisit an timeless classic? You should pick up Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. Wanna know what this Kick-Ass business is all about? You can grab the entire comic series on the PSP's Digital Comics Reader. Can't get enough of Britney Spear's impossibly catchy "Toxic?" Guess what -- it's on Karaoke Revolution now. You're welcome!

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading European PSN releases for April 15

European PSN releases for April 15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee and Exoddus hopping to PSN this Thursday

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST

It's been a while since we were legitimately excited by an addition to the PSOne Classics storefront -- however, now we're waiting on bated breath for the PSN re-release of two timeless titles: Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee and Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus. The pair of PlayStation platformers will say "hey-lo" to the PlayStation Store this Thursday, where they'll be sold for $9.99 a piece.

We know we should be counting our blessings, but we're hoping the addition of these impossibly Odd titles is just a precursor to more PS1 platformers getting ported to the PSN. In simpler, less alliterative terms, we're gonna need someone to bring Heart of Darkness into the family of PSOne Classics. We're gonna need someone to do that immediately.

Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee and Exoddus hopping to PSN this Thursday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld games coming to PSN, former console-exclusive entries coming to PC

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:10:00 EST

It's been a full four years since we last controlled any of Oddworld's strange inhabitants, with the most recent entry in the series dropping on Xbox. We'll get another chance soon, however, as an interview with Bitmob earlier this week with series creator Lorne Lanning announced the inking of a deal with Sony to release "the original Abe games" on PSN "very soon" -- something an ESRB rating at least partially hinted at early last month.

Furthermore, the entire series is getting packaged for digital re-release as The Oddbox (including Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath, previously console-exclusive games), available digitally "sometime this Winter." When pressed on a new game in the series though, Lanning kept mum, saying "We hope to have an announcement soon, but I've been saying that for a while now so I'll just shut up and hope for the best." Looks like we'll be mirroring Lanning's actions for now, unfortunately.

[Via Big Download]

Oddworld games coming to PSN, former console-exclusive entries coming to PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steam discounts Oddworld, GoG puts Interplay action titles on sale

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:40:00 EST

Steam will be powering some weekend sales to Oddword this weekend, while GoG drops the price on some classic Interplay action titles. Steam has Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus and Oddworld: Abe's Oddyssee for $2.50 apiece, or buy both for $3.75 -- that's less than a gallon of milk (unless it's from Costco, but don't get s-m-r-t).

Over at GoG.com, Interplay's action titles like Earthworm Jim (1,2,3D), both MDKs, Shattered Steel and Messiah are on sale for 25 percent off. Considering all those titles are only $6, that makes each of them $4.50. Just make sure to put in the code "ACTION" at checkout to receive the discount. Happy classic gaming!

[Via Big Download]

Source -- Steam weekend deal
Source -- GoG weekend sale

Steam discounts Oddworld, GoG puts Interplay action titles on sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Born for Wii: Stranger's Wrath

Wesley Fenlon — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: Born for Wii

After the dreary all-night study benders, frantic cramming, and endless writing that coalesce to produce the torturous period that is college finals, gamers around the country find time to kick back, relax, and play through the dreaded backlog that resulted from the flood of titles released during the holiday season. After playing through the wonderful Mirror's Edge, I set my sights on an older title I'd had sitting around for several months (thanks to the Xbox 360's spotty backwards compatibility). That game was Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath.

Released towards the end of the Xbox's life cycle in 2005, Stranger's Wrath was also the last game created by Oddworld Inhabitants before the studio shifted focus to creating cinematic movies. And it's a shame, because Stranger's Wrath succeeds at everything it attempts. It's fun, inventive, and as full of life as every other Oddworld creation. Follow along with Stranger (in both first and third person!) as he tracks down bounties in the Odd version of the Old West in this week's Born for Wii.

NEXT >>

Gallery: Born for Wii: Stranger's Wrrath

Every week, Born for Wii digs into gaming's sordid past to unearth a new treasure fit for revival on the Nintendo Wii. Be sure to check out last week's entry in the series, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and for more great titles that deserve your attention, take a look at Virtually Overlooked.

Born for Wii: Stranger's Wrath originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld elects ex-Brash CCO as new prez

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Business

Far from the dangers of Brash Entertainment, the battered publisher's former chief creative officer, Larry Shapiro, has found work serving Oddworld Inhabitants. As the studio's new president -- Sherry McKenna will remain CEO -- Shapiro has tasked himself with pushing Oddworld into "new frontiers," reports Variety. "We intend to break the model of where games are today in a unique and entertaining way," he told the site. What we think he means: Oddworld will be getting into episodic gaming a few "years" from now.

~~At the very least, the Citizen Siege project has finally be cleared from the queue ... and shoveled into a shallow grave.~~ [Update: Actually, Citizen Siege is "still in development," McKenna tells GamesIndustry.biz; just not with Vanguard.] We'd just as soon settle for the old Oddworld games with a lil' spit-shine applied, thank you very much. As for his former post at Brash, Shapiro had this to say: "I wanted to make Brash the Miramax or HBO of video games, but sales marketing and finance wanted it to be Majesco." Oh, BURN!

Oddworld elects ex-Brash CCO as new prez originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lorne Lanning confirms he's on the new Oddworld

Terrence Stasse — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:59:00 EST

Filed under: News

Recently confirmed by the head of Maxis and now effectively double-confirmed, the new Oddworld game will have involvement from the series' original creator. Previously thought to have left the World of Odd for aspirations in CG movie making, Lanning and his studio, Oddworld Inhabitants, are returning to the universe of their namesake with the next-gen Oddworld. While that game will still be under wraps for some time, it's good to know that the original creators are involved, even if they do have their hands full.

Lorne Lanning confirms he's on the new Oddworld originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 May 2008 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another Oddworld title confirmed by creator

Nick Doerr — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Co-founder of Inhabitants and one of the creators of the Oddworld universe, Lorne Lanning, has confirmed a new Oddworld title to be in development, but remains tight-lipped on any sort of details. the boss of Maxis, Jeff Braun, let this news slip last week in a speech, so it's nice to get a solid confirmation at last. There's not much else to say, really. There's a new game in development with graphics apparently comparable to an animated movie, the two guys are working together on it, but anything else is a complete mystery. We'll keep looking for more info, but until then, discuss what sort of collaboration could result from these two. Sim-Oddworld, perhaps?

Another Oddworld title confirmed by creator originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 May 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Oddworld game in the works

Terrence Stasse — Fri, 23 May 2008 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

Given that Munch's Odyssey was a launch title for the 360, and Stranger's Wrath was quite good, it's been surprising that the franchise has not yet seen a another entry. Until now that is, because a new Oddworld is on the way. Maxis co-founder Jeff Braun is involved with the game, and comments that the team is very talented and that he has faith in their ability to create great content. If the new one took insipration from Stranger and added more quirky humor and fun, we'll be all over this. Too bad Braun confirmed that it's still years away ....

New Oddworld game in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 May 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Oddworld game in the works, may be 'years' off

Jason Dobson — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Adventure, Business

It's been more than three years since we last frolicked about in Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, but according to Maxis co-founder Jeff Braun a new game set in Lorne Lanning's Oddworld universe is currently in the works. According to Wilfrid Laurier University student newspaper The Cord Weekly, Braun confirmed his involvement with developers Oddworld Inhabitants on the project during a presentation at the school earlier this week.

Few details were revealed about the upcoming game, though Braun noted that the title will feature a "revolutionary new 3-D animation system" and "cinematic quality on a '1 to 1 scale' to that of computer-generated motion pictures," adding that the same assets could be used to create both a video game and film version in parallel.

This isn't the first time talk of CG features and Oddworld have been mentioned in the same breath, with Lorne Lanning himself refocusing his company in 2005 to create both games and accompanying CG movies, the first of which was announced a year later as Citizen Siege. However, as that title has yet to see the light of day, it doesn't exactly surprise us that Braun admits that the next Oddworld release could be "years" away from seeing retail shelves, and may even be released in an episodic format when it's all said and done.

New Oddworld game in the works, may be 'years' off originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 May 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Odd Chrono Snatcher: Your choices for DS remakes

Alisha Karabinus — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 20:45:00 EST

Filed under: Features

DS Fanboy readers have excellent taste, and we all know it. After all, you own the greatest handheld in the world, and hey, you're here. But if that's not enough to convince you, then the winners of the recent most-desired remakes poll should do the trick nicely. DS Fanboy readers chose four very different titles as candidates for the rampant remake craze, and each game has the potential to be a fantastic DS game in its own right. Let's just hope the right people are paying attention.

Out of a field of seventeen titles, all chosen by the readers, Chrono Trigger, Snatcher, Super Smash Bros. and Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee were selected as the best choices for future DS titles. Now we're here to tell you why.

Continue reading Super Odd Chrono Snatcher: Your choices for DS remakes

Super Odd Chrono Snatcher: Your choices for DS remakes originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Poll results: Remakes of choice

Alisha Karabinus — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: DS Fanboy poll

Our celebration of the age of remakes continues as we reveal your choices for games that need to be given the DS treatment. The full poll results are located after the jump, but we probably don't need to tell you that we chose correctly when putting together the boxart mockups above. Chrono Trigger blew everything else out of the water among the mainstream titles, with Super Smash Bros. picking up a distant second. Among our lesser-known titles, things were a lot closer. Snatcher won -- which means all is right with the world -- but the battle for second was decided by a mere four votes. We're always happy to be reminded of just how diverse taste are among our readers!

Check back later in the week for a wealth of coverage on remakes, including the profile of the four winning games and what we would like to see in a DS remake.

Continue reading Poll results: Remakes of choice

Poll results: Remakes of choice originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Fanboy poll: Remakes of choice

Alisha Karabinus — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:10:00 EST

Filed under: DS Fanboy poll

Earlier this week, we asked you, our dear readers, to discuss games you'd like to see given a spit and a polish for the DS in this age of remakes, and as usual, you came through in a big way. In fact, you gave us so many fantastic suggestions that we've decided to split our selected list into two polls instead of just doing one. We can't include everything suggested, obviously, but we've prepared a selection of bigger releases and more obscure titles, and we're going to let you vote every day, just in case you want to throw your support behind more than one game. Once you've voted, we will profile the top two results from each poll and examine exactly why they would be well-suited to our favorite handheld. So try to vote for the titles you think are the most suitable, those that would most benefit from the kind of treatment we're seeing with the Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy titles ... and hey, vote for the games you'd just like to see in portable form as well.

And if you just can't decide ... well, that's why we're letting you vote more than once! You can vote your heart and your brain, and the cream will rise to the top.

Continue reading DS Fanboy poll: Remakes of choice

DS Fanboy poll: Remakes of choice originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Our most wanted PSone games

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Software

We have faith that one day, the PlayStation Store will be accessible via PSP without the need for a PS3, and will flourish into a glorious realm of classic games, one that will be untouched by the competition. Of course, homebrew users will rip their own games ... but for the rest of us, this is my personal wishlist of PSone games that I'd like to see available for download.

Continue reading Our most wanted PSone games

Our most wanted PSone games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Dec 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Citizen Siege: Oddworld studio's new game & CG film project

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Action, Adventure, Business

Lorne Lanning has confirmed that work has begun on Citizen Siege, the new project from his Oddworld Inhabitants studio. "Citizen Siege was conceived as a game and film from the very beginning," Lanning told GamesIndustry.biz, revealing that John H. Williams will produce the CG animated feature, and Lanning himself will direct. The game concept is currently being shopped around to publishers.

Lanning is interested in merging the game and film mediums, hoping that Citizen Siege will become a reference point for future ventures. The idea is that both parts are created simultaneously, influencing each other's courses; rather than one providing the basis for the other. While doing so, it will be important for Lanning and has team to create the right distance between the game and movie. If the finished products demand consumers invest in both, Citizen Siege will have lost a huge chunk of its potential demographic; the group that exclusively watches films -- and does not play games.

Citizen Siege: Oddworld studio's new game & CG film project originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq's 2005 game guide

Blake Snow — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 08:00:00 EST

2005 was what many would call the final push of the current console generation. Regardless of where the year ranks on your list of gaming annuals, many great titles hit store shelves, home consoles, portables, and PC's alike in 2005. Without further adu, let us introduce Joystiq's 2005 game guide as selected by our team of bloggers.

Be sure to also check out our top hidden gems of this generation along with the greatest hits roundup for gamers on a budget. It's good to be a gamer.

Continue reading Joystiq's 2005 game guide

Joystiq's 2005 game guide originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Dec 2005 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Got any questions you'd want to ask Lorne Lanning?

Dan Choi — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:06:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

Oddworld creator Lorne Lanning will be speaking at the meeting for the Chicago chapter of the IGDA (that is, the International Game Developers Association) on the evening of Tuesday, August 23rd (tomorrow night). He will be giving a multimedia presentation called "In a Wal-Mart world, Creative is a dirty word" concerning "the creative process, sources of inspiration, how Yoda saved his life, why the label of 'Creative' has become a liability, how game engines will change film making forever, ...why owning your own brand can be a handicap in today's marketplace, and how digital distribution is the great hope for creatives as we continue heading deeper into a brave new world of media." I will also be there, blogging the event. (If you were hoping to go, you may be sorry to learn that reservations were made for attendants well in advance. Sorry!)

What this post is for, however, is to make a small request for question suggestions. I could read as many past interviews as I want, but that wouldn't give me as much insight into the machinima and digital distribution issues that I'd surely get from our dear Joystiq readers. If possible, I hope to ask Lorne a few questions (during the likely Question & Answer session if necessary), but nothing's set in stone. (The current Oddworld web site is a bit bereft of proper contact information right now, so if anyone can get me in touch with Mr. Lanning directly, I'd certainly appreciate it.) At any rate, a concise report should be up by Wednesday morning, with or without interview. Wish me luck!

Update: Moving the report back to Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Hopefully I'll have a good picture for you then! And, yes, I did get to ask Lorne a few of your questions. Should be fun.

Got any questions you'd want to ask Lorne Lanning? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld no more

Steve Parsons — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

Steve walks warily down the street, with his brim pulled way down low... Yep, another developer is no more. Though this time it's their own decision.

In short, Lorne Lanning has seen where games are headed, said "No thanks!", and left for other pastures. Hollywood Reporter (?!) has a good interview with Lanning about his decision.

Buh-bye, Oddworld. At least in games.

Oddworld no more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Apr 2005 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld keeps getting odder

Ben Zackheim — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:19:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox, Action

Oddworld started off as a light-hearted world. Sure, it had a dark side of farts and spitting green slime, but for the most part it was a hopeful place. But that environment shifted to the dark side with the surprisingly good Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath (average of 88% on GameRankings). It was a first person shooter that sprinted away from the platformer-feel of the original. Now comes word from IGN that the next installment will go even darker. You'll play a shepherd named Fangus who is slowly being driven mad by rabies. You have to save your herd from invading aliens while you still have your head on straight. It may be a departure for fans of the series, but if you consider the developer's track record there's probably no need to worry.

[thanks Fady]

Oddworld keeps getting odder originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath Reviews

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 25 Jan 2005 15:13:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox, Action, Adventure

The reviews are still pouring in, and while not as strong (on average) as yesterday, the numbers are sill impressive:

Team Xbox - '91'

IGN - '88'

GameSpot - '85'

1Up - '80'

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath Reviews originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Jan 2005 15:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stranger's Wrath is all good, for now

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 24 Jan 2005 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox, Action, Adventure

Due in stores tomorrow, the latest Oddworld adventure has garnered some early "universal acclaim" as evidenced by its '91' average over on Metacritic. So far, only 2 of the 7 reviews posted are accessible in full, with TotalGames.net going all out with a '95', while GameSpy chose a slightly more reserved score of '90'.

It looks like the risk of converting the Oddworld standard from puzzle to action has paid off for Oddworld Inhabitants (developer), and gasp, EA! We'll keep you posted as more reviews roll in...

Stranger's Wrath is all good, for now originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Jan 2005 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The week in zeros and ones

Ben Zackheim — Mon, 24 Jan 2005 08:09:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

VE3D does their weekly round-up of digital media. The list includes DVDs, games, movies and the latest in pornographic paraphernalia. And sometimes you'll even get a pornographic DVD game in the same item. Take Playboy: The Mansion, for instance. It's finally hitting the shelves for PC, Playstation 2 and Xbox. How many 6.9/10 ratings do you figure it'll get from the mainstream gaming press? Unless it's good, of course, which is entirely possible.

Also of some note is Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow DVD.

The week in zeros and ones originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Jan 2005 08:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath preview shows there are changes coming

Ben Zackheim — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox, Action, Adventure

If you're a fan of the Oddworld series, you may want to prepare for some changes in the next OW game. It looks like the puzzle-solving and happy jumping is turning into some hardcore action, of the videogame variety. The game, due out this month on Xbox, will allow you to explore the rich world you've grown to love, but this time you can do it from a third or first-person perspective. The same crazy touches are present, thankfully; fuzzy critters for ammunition, and health power-ups from, well, unlikely places.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath preview shows there are changes coming originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Jan 2005 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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