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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Planet Moon artist shows off unreleased Kinect adventure game 'My Amazing Story' [update: site locked]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/planet-moon-artist-shows-off-unreleased-kinect-adventure-game-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/planet-moon-artist-shows-off-unreleased-kinect-adventure-game-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/planet-moon-artist-shows-off-unreleased-kinect-adventure-game-m/#comments
Trevor Grimshaw, a lead artist for Planet Moon (when it was still Planet Moon) posted a bunch of concept art and screens from an "Unreleased Adventure Game" for Xbox 360, which Superannuation identified as a "first-party Kinect game" called My Amazing Story. That title does appear on the artist's resume, and the screenshots have "MAS" in their filenames, so it's a reasonably safe assumption.

The project, an action-adventure game, featured creepy monsters, various suits that the player could wear to gain powers -- including spacesuits and some kind of cat costume -- and cute Kinect integration in the form of "postcards."

Given that there's no Kinect-based action game like this on the market now, it's disheartening to learn of this one only after it was cancelled.

Update: The site is now locked to "invited readers only." We've also removed the header image at Trevor's request.

JoystiqPlanet Moon artist shows off unreleased Kinect adventure game 'My Amazing Story' [update: site locked] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancelledkinectmicrosoftmy-amazing-storyplanet-moontrevor-grimshawunreleasedxboxThu, 28 Apr 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Planet Moon studios loses funding, Bigpoint acquires staff]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/planet-moon-studios-loses-funding-bigpoint-acquires-staff/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/planet-moon-studios-loses-funding-bigpoint-acquires-staff/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/12/planet-moon-studios-loses-funding-bigpoint-acquires-staff/#comments
It was a less-than-happy holiday season for the folks over at Planet Moon Studios, it seems -- multiple sources are reporting that the studio responsible for games such as Giants: Citizen Kabuto and Armed & Dangerous ran out of funding last December, due to the loss of a "substantial amount" of money allegedly owed by investors. CEO Aaron Loeb says his company will file suit against its debtors.

Fortunately, MMO developer Bigpoint has picked up 37 staff members from Planet Moon, swelling the ranks of its San Francisco studio to more than 100 people. Bigpoint's CEO, Heko Hubertz, says the refugee staffers will be put to work using their cross-platform experience on Bigpoint's titles, which it just recently claimed have an audience of over 150 million users.

Joystiq has reached out to Loeb for a comment on the pending legal action, and to learn what happened to any titles the company currently has (or had) in development. We'll let you know when we hear back.

JoystiqPlanet Moon studios loses funding, Bigpoint acquires staff originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbigpointdefaultinvestorslawsuitpcplanet-moonplanet-moon-studiosWed, 12 Jan 2011 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[First footage of Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter on Wii and DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/first-footage-of-drawn-to-life-the-next-chapter-on-wii-and-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/first-footage-of-drawn-to-life-the-next-chapter-on-wii-and-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/first-footage-of-drawn-to-life-the-next-chapter-on-wii-and-ds/#commentsOne thing is abundantly clear from watching the trailers for both versions of Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter (after the break): They are not the same game. It's even more clear from reading IGN's interviews, because, you know, they're with different people. The DS version is being made by original developer 5TH Cell, while the Wii game is being handled by Planet Moon Studios.

Both games now feature "action drawing" that allows the player to draw directly in the game world rather than in an editor. Planet Moon describes expanded drawing options in this mode, like certain types of ink imbued with gravity or bounce -- like an anvil that you could draw, which would then fall straight down. 5TH Cell's drawing enhancements (at least the ones mentioned in the interview) include the ability to customize character designs even more, with up to four arms and four legs, and resizable limbs.

The games have different stories, as well -- the DS game (whose story is told in a "redone overworld" with, like the rest of the game, animation by Pirate Baby's Cabana Battle Street Fight animator Paul Robertson and art contributions from Braid's David Hellman) follows the events of the Wii game (whose story is told in a new side-scrolling hub world).

Continue reading First footage of Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter on Wii and DS

JoystiqFirst footage of Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter on Wii and DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-celldrawn-to-lifedrawn-to-life-the-next-chapterplanet-moonthqThu, 28 May 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Fanboy Review: Battle of the Bands]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/wii-fanboy-review-battle-of-the-bands/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/wii-fanboy-review-battle-of-the-bands/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/wii-fanboy-review-battle-of-the-bands/#commentsFiled under:

While the current reigning music games, Rock Band and Guitar Hero, contain some great music, they're really defined by their controllers. People bought Guitar Hero because of its gimmicky guitar controller -- many purchasers no doubt didn't even know or care what music was included. Rock Band's big draw was its drum kit and the simultaneous band gameplay that comes with the combination of all the instrument controllers. As the Guitar Hero series (and Rock Band) grew in popularity, the music became more important, but the experience of simulating instruments remains more important than what the songs are for most casual players.

Battle of the Bands, like the earliest music games, doesn't rely on a gimmick controller, except, of course, for the one that comes standard with the Wii system. Its true gimmick, and the feature that defines the game, is its music. Planet Moon and THQ can proudly claim some of the most interesting and entertaining music in the genre. The gameplay diverges from the usual rhythm game fare as well.

Continue reading Wii Fanboy Review: Battle of the Bands

JoystiqWii Fanboy Review: Battle of the Bands originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 May 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>band-mashupsbattle-of-the-bandsjoystiqfeaturesmusicplanet-moonrhythmthqMon, 19 May 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Widget of the Bands]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/widget-of-the-bands/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/widget-of-the-bands/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/widget-of-the-bands/#commentsFiled under:

We might not be getting Wii game demos any time soon, but if you want to sample the rhythm game Battle of the Bands, you can try out a widget that simulates THQ's recently released Wii software. Of course, we'd have to hope that the Wii game controls much, much better than this keyboard-utilizing demo, but it still gives you a general idea of Battle's basics.

Essentially, you have to hit the notes in rhythm with the 1, 2, and 3 buttons (or use the mouse), depending on where the note lies on the strip. Each time you hit a certain amount of notes correctly, you'll launch a weapon at the opposing player. You can change weapons as well, but the more powerful the attack, the more notes you'll have to hit to activate it.

All in all, it's nothing more than a way to kill a few minutes on the internet, but it's still the closest you can come to experiencing Battle of the Bands without trying the real thing. This widget is also a good way to give you an idea of the changing styles of music in the game, so it's really worth a look if you're interested in the title -- just don't expect to have an easy time with the keyboard controls.

Gallery: Battle of the Bands


[Via GamerTell]

JoystiqWidget of the Bands originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 May 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>band-mashupsbattle-of-the-bandsdemoplanet-moonrhythmthqwidgetThu, 15 May 2008 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Interest in PSP is returning, says Infected dev]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/interest-in-psp-is-returning-says-infected-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/interest-in-psp-is-returning-says-infected-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/interest-in-psp-is-returning-says-infected-dev/#commentsFiled under:

Planet Moon has been a strong supporter of PSP, dedicating itself to the creation of exclusives on Sony's handheld. Their titles, Infected and After Burner, tried new things on the handheld, but neither title found the success that they were looking for. "We're very proud of them. We wish they'd found a bigger audience, but I think most people who've made PSP games wish that in retrospect," Planet Moon's Aaron Loeb told Gamasutra.

Sluggish software sales for (relatively) expensive games forced Planet Moon to abandon PSP development, just like many other developers. While they're currently working on Wii games, they do note that PSP may experience a resurrection of sorts. "Interest in the PSP is definitely coming back among the publishers, though. That little puppy just keeps on selling!"

We're certain that many publishers were caught off-guard by the sales resurgence of PSP, after the introduction of the redesigned PSP-2000 and big-name releases, such as God of War and Crisis Core. However, games do take quite a time to create -- it may be a while before we're able to reap the fruits of any new PSP development.

JoystiqInterest in PSP is returning, says Infected dev originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 May 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-loebplanet-moonpspFri, 09 May 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Rockin' out edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/wrup-rockin-out-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/wrup-rockin-out-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/wrup-rockin-out-edition/#commentsFiled under:


For us, the only title of interest in this week's releases is Battle of the Bands. We'll admit that we enjoy the rhythm-based games quite a bit, so naturally it appeals to us. Of course, what with us being bloggers and all, we probably won't get a chance to play it until Nintendo's next console is released.

That isn't the case for you all, we're sure, who have time to play games and read gaming blogs on the internet (thanks!). What will you be playing this weekend? Picking up anything new?

JoystiqWRUP: Rockin' out edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-bandsplanet-moonrhythmthqFri, 25 Apr 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Battle of the Bands (Wii)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/joystiq-impressions-battle-of-the-bands-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/joystiq-impressions-battle-of-the-bands-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/joystiq-impressions-battle-of-the-bands-wii/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

THQ's under-the-radar Wii game, Battle of the Bands is coming out this month. I recently saw the game in action, and I finally have a grasp on its concept. Thankfully renamed from Band Mashups, Battle of the Bands pits two gamers against each other in a Wiimote-only rhythm competition. As Guitar Hero-style commands float by, players flick the controller down, left, right, or shake it with the beat.

A successful string of hits activates the "battle," firing shots at the enemy band. An aptly timed B-button blocks those volleys. This attack-and-defend mechanic controls the tug-of-war between the two players; when one is leading, the shared song plays in their chosen genre, flipping between hip-hop/funk, rock, country, marching band, and latin. The game's 30 different songs all have these versions, so you could hear "Whoomp! (There it is)" as country or "Man of Constant Sorrow" in hip-hop.

The game is heavily tuned for two players, although single-player options are included. I think it'll make a good party game in limited doses, and unfortunately, it's another Wii game that should be online but isn't.

Gallery: Battle of the Bands (Wii)

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Battle of the Bands (Wii) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>band-mashupsbattle-of-the-bandsbeat-matchinggenremusicplanet-moonrhythmthqWiiSat, 05 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Bands trailer feels good]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/battle-of-the-bands-trailer-feels-good/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/battle-of-the-bands-trailer-feels-good/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/battle-of-the-bands-trailer-feels-good/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We didn't even realize what vaguely familiar song was being mashed up in this Battle of the Bands trailer for a minute -- it sounded cool, and it was exciting, and it seemed like the kind of thing we would enjoy playing in a rhythm game. Then the "Latin" version kicked in and we figured it out -- it's Gorillaz' "Feel Good Inc."! Hearing our favorite songs in so many different styles is going to be novel for a long time.

As for the actual gameplay, we aren't quite sure how the waving-based control scheme will hold up. We hope it works as well as the musical concept of the game.



[Via GamesPress]

JoystiqBattle of the Bands trailer feels good originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>band-mashupsbattle-of-the-bandsplanet-moonrhythmthqMon, 31 Mar 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Band Archetypes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/battle-of-the-band-archetypes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/battle-of-the-band-archetypes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/battle-of-the-band-archetypes/#comments
We aren't entirely certain about the actual back-and-forth-waggling mechanics of Battle of the Bands (formerly Band Mashups). But we are quite certain that we enjoy the over-the-top band graphics. THQ and Planet Moon want to make damn sure that you know which musical style your band represents. A "rock" band could look like anything, from guys in suits and identical haircuts to people who look like they just got out of class, but Planet Moon went super-goth.

Not only was this guy probably just listening to "Bela Lugosi's Dead," he appears to be dead himself. The styles are also reflected in the gameplay tracks.

JoystiqBattle of the Band Archetypes originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-of-the-bandsmusicplanet-moonrhythmthqMon, 25 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ announces Band Mashups, Wii exclusive rhythm game for April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/thq-announces-band-mashups-wii-exclusive-rhythm-game-for-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/thq-announces-band-mashups-wii-exclusive-rhythm-game-for-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/thq-announces-band-mashups-wii-exclusive-rhythm-game-for-april/#commentsFiled under: ,


Never let it be said that publisher THQ is opposed to trying new things. Sure, the studio may have more than a passing fancy with licenses the way most of us appreciate oxygen, but the studio has been known to come up with an original idea now and again -- before summarily slitting its throat. THQ's latest sees the company wading waist deep into the crowded waters of rhythm gaming with Band Mashups, a title that you'll only be able to play on the Wii when it ships out the door in April.

Currently being pieced together by the Giants: Citizen Kabuto devs at Planet Moon, Band Mashups is described by THQ as "the ultimate band battle," offering both single and multiplayer rhythm gameplay, 70 "over-the-top musical weapons," and more than 150 tracks across five different styles of music, including rock, funk/hip-hop, country, marching band and Latin. Sure, it sounds like a lot of music, but as THQ explains, the game's track list is actually made up of 30 different licensed tunes from the last 40 years, each recorded in five different styles. We're unsure what to make of this, though the idea of hearing some of our hair band faves in the style of a marching band is enough to keep us awake at night clutching our Def Leppard blankets.

Gallery: Battle of the Bands (Wii)

JoystiqTHQ announces Band Mashups, Wii exclusive rhythm game for April originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>band-mashupsBreakingNewsgiantsplanet-moonthqWiiThu, 07 Feb 2008 11:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Band Mashups remixes the music game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/band-mashups-remixes-the-music-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/band-mashups-remixes-the-music-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/band-mashups-remixes-the-music-game/#commentsFiled under: ,


This is how you do new take on a Guitar Hero/Bemani game. Smarty Pants developer Planet Moon has just revealed their encouragingly clever music game Band Mashups, which focuses on the concept of the "battle of the bands."

Each band in Mashups represents a different genre of music: country, marching band, funk, etc. Songs are played as duels between two bands, with each band playing the licensed soundtrack in their own style. The style of the audio track alternates, with the winning group's style coming through more clearly. The game is controlled by moving the Wii remote left, right, down, and forward to match onscreen cues.

The cleverest thing about this game, we think, is how it turns a problem into a positive. Guitar Hero dealt with the issue of not having access to original recordings of licensed music by recording soundalikes. Planet Moon realized with Band Mashups that a cover doesn't have to sound like the original, and built a game around it. We are actually looking forward to hearing all the cover songs. Symphonic "Spoonman"? Latin "Blitzkrieg Bop"? Yes, please. The full soundtrack includes other weird and wonderful choices like Tenacious D's "Master Exploder" and "Man of Constant Sorrow" from O Brother Where Art Thou. More screens and even video are available at the IGN link.

JoystiqBand Mashups remixes the music game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>band-mashupsmashupmusicplanet-moonThu, 07 Feb 2008 09:45:00 EST