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[Interview: Rhianna Pratchett]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/interview-rhianna-pratchett/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/interview-rhianna-pratchett/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/interview-rhianna-pratchett/#commentsWith Rhianna Pratchett's most recent projects -- a trio of Overlord titles -- complete, the game scribe took some time out to discuss what it was like to write for three games at once, what she's looking forward to in the future, and why Faith in Mirror's Edge wasn't quite as talkative as originally planned:

Did you have any difficulties writing for three different platforms? What are the differences and limitations of writing for one platform over another?

It was mainly a question of age ratings. I'm sorry it's not more of an exciting answer. The Wii and DS, Dark Legend and Minions, were aiming for a lower rating than Overlord II, so there were certain things that I couldn't talk about in the scripts -- mainly to do with excessive violence and debauchery. You know, all the really fun stuff.

You can certainly get away with more by taking a comedic angle, but games ratings are actually pretty stringent. I don't think it impacted too much on the Overlord feel, although it was a shame to lose things like drunken minions and mistresses. Okay, in Dark Legend the lead character is only 16, so a harem might have been rather wishful thinking.

There was a definite need for economy of language when it came to the DS, which was a little more restrictive. Condensing a loquacious character like Gnarl was quite a challenge. Other than that it was really just trying to capture the right Overlord tone.

Continue reading Interview: Rhianna Pratchett

JoystiqInterview: Rhianna Pratchett originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>interviewmirrors-edgeoverlordoverlord-2overlord-dark-legendoverlord-minionsrhianna-pratchettMon, 27 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Overlord: Dark Legend, Overlord: Minions unleashed this June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/overlord-dark-legend-overlord-minions-unleashed-this-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/overlord-dark-legend-overlord-minions-unleashed-this-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/overlord-dark-legend-overlord-minions-unleashed-this-june/#comments
The Overlord (and his minions) are ready to wreak havoc this June with their two exclusive titles for Wii and DS. Overlord: Dark Legend, starring a younger -- but, no less evil -- dark master, will subjugate the masses on Wii. Meanwhile, the DS title will star an elite squad of "four heroic Minions" in a puzzle action game.

We'll be sure to update if a clearer date for the dark lord's arrival becomes available. In the meantime, check out the latest trailer for Dark Legend after the break. Beware the evil Gingerbread Men!

Continue reading Overlord: Dark Legend, Overlord: Minions unleashed this June

JoystiqOverlord: Dark Legend, Overlord: Minions unleashed this June originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemastersoverlord-dark-legendoverlord-minionsFri, 20 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Overlord overload: Sequel incoming, new versions planned for Wii, DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/overlord-overload-sequel-incoming-new-versions-planned-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/overlord-overload-sequel-incoming-new-versions-planned-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/overlord-overload-sequel-incoming-new-versions-planned-for-wii/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Triumph Studios' excellent (but flawed) Overlord will receive a sequel on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, along with new versions for the Wii and DS, all scheduled for 2009. IGN reports Overlord II will have smarter minions who can ride mounts, use war machines and sail ships. The scope of the game world has been broadened in the sequel and the controls for the Pikmin-style gameplay have been "greatly improved." We loved the first game, and it's great to hear about all these improvements for the sequel, but we hope "polish" is a word that Triumph doesn't forget this time around.

The Overlord franchise will also spawn Overlord Dark Legend on Wii by Climax Studios, an "all new game" penned by Rhianna Pratchett. The game seems to be set in the original Overlord's world with many of the same characters, but with the inclusion of some fractured fairy tale aspect. Finally, on DS (and also by Climax Studios), Overlord Minion will present players with a puzzle action game. OK, does that about cover all the Overlord info? Good, all hail the Overlord!

Source -- Overlord 2: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Source -- Overlord Dark Legend: Wii
Source -- Overlord Minion: DS

JoystiqOverlord overload: Sequel incoming, new versions planned for Wii, DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemastersDSoverlordoverlord-2overlord-dark-legendoverlord-iioverlord-minionsPCPS3triumph-studiosWiiXbox-360Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Overlord to quench your insatiable thirst for power]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/overlord-to-quench-your-insatiable-thirst-for-power/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/overlord-to-quench-your-insatiable-thirst-for-power/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/overlord-to-quench-your-insatiable-thirst-for-power/#commentsFiled under: ,

Power. Glorious, undiluted, corrupting POWER. That's what we crave as we slave away at our tiny desks working for The Man, and that's what Codemasters will be bringing us soon. The publisher has announced a DS version of the Pikmin-inspired Overlord, in which players must use a crack team of minions to maintain control of their kingdom.

Giblet, Blaze, Stench, and Zap are your unquestioning servants throughout Overlord Minions, and instantly win points with us by resembling the Gremlins. Unlike the home console editions of the title, you'll be controlling your willing slaves remotely with touches of the stylus. By combining their scaly assets, the four can help you solve puzzles, duff up enemies, and generally further your despotic desires.

The polygon-saving omission of an Overlord avatar aside, this looks pleasingly close to the fairly well-received original, and we're promised that all of that game's humor and physical comedy will have made the leap when it releases next year. We command you to hit the jump for a second screen.

Continue reading Overlord to quench your insatiable thirst for power

JoystiqOverlord to quench your insatiable thirst for power originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionclimaxcodemastersminionsoverlordoverlord-minionspuzzleThu, 14 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST