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[PSA: Fez remix album, FZ: Side Z, fills your earholes today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/psa-fez-remix-album-fz-side-z-fills-your-earholes-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/psa-fez-remix-album-fz-side-z-fills-your-earholes-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/psa-fez-remix-album-fz-side-z-fills-your-earholes-today/#commentsPSA Fez remix album, FZ Side Z, takes over your earholes today FZ: Side Z is he second half of the Fez remix album and it's out today, assaulting your eardrums for $5 or more. The first half, FZ: Side F, launched on April 20 for the same semi-name-your-own price. Both albums feature tracks from various artists, including the original Fez soundtrack composer, Disasterpeace.

You can give all of the tunes a listen - or throw down your favorite bill for the whole album - right here.

JoystiqPSA: Fez remix album, FZ: Side Z, fills your earholes today originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disasterpeaceFezfz-side-zmusicpolytronremixsoundtrackWed, 08 May 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez fan art takes that spreadsheet joke to a whole new coordinate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/fez-fan-art-takes-that-spreadsheet-joke-to-a-whole-new-coordinat/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/fez-fan-art-takes-that-spreadsheet-joke-to-a-whole-new-coordinat/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/02/fez-fan-art-takes-that-spreadsheet-joke-to-a-whole-new-coordinat/#commentsFez fan art takes that spreadsheet joke to a whole new coordinate In 2011, Fez developer Phil Fish said, "PCs are for spreadsheets." When he announced Fez would hit PC, fans and haters jumped on the "spreadsheet machine" dig. After Fez's successful XBLA and PC launches, this fan art by Steam user McKack is a good stopping point for the joke. All the jokes, even.

Continue reading Fez fan art takes that spreadsheet joke to a whole new coordinate

JoystiqFez fan art takes that spreadsheet joke to a whole new coordinate originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 May 2013 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fan-artFezpcphil-fishpolytronpolytron-corporationspreadsheetspreadsheetsSTEAMThu, 02 May 2013 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Fez flips platforms, lands on PC today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/psa-fez-flips-platforms-lands-on-pc-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/psa-fez-flips-platforms-lands-on-pc-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/01/psa-fez-flips-platforms-lands-on-pc-today/#commentsPSA Fez flips platforms, lands on PC today One year after its high-profile launch on XBLA, Fez is available on PC via Steam, the Humble Store and GOG today for $10. For $5 more on Steam, grab the game and its super-cool original soundtrack by Disasterpeace, or grab the soundtrack by itself for $7. Steam: Giving you all the options to spend your money.

By April 13, Fez sold 200,000 copies on XBLA and we thought it was positively joyful. Creator Phil Fish suggests hopeful PC players purchase Fez via the Humble Store, since he gets 95 percent of that revenue, compared to 70 percent from Steam and GOG. If Fish insulted your grandmother and you really want to get back at him, go ahead and buy Fez through Steam or GOG and have a wonderful time playing it. That'll show him.

JoystiqPSA: Fez flips platforms, lands on PC today originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezgog.comhumble-storepcphil-fishpolytronSTEAMWed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Fez dons its pre-order cap today on Steam, GOG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/psa-fez-dons-its-pre-order-cap-today-on-steam-gog/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/psa-fez-dons-its-pre-order-cap-today-on-steam-gog/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/psa-fez-dons-its-pre-order-cap-today-on-steam-gog/#comments Xbox Live Arcade indie darling Fez has entered its pre-order phase on both Steam and GOG today, offering a buck off the $9.99 asking price for early commitment. Fez will launch for Windows PC across both digital distribution platforms on May 1.

The PC launch is the first action in a plan by creator Phil Fish to port Fez to "pretty much everything." PSN and PS Vita, Mac, iOS, Linux and Ouya ports are all in various stages of development and planning, Fish has said. In little over a year, Fez has sold more than 200,000 copies on Xbox Live Arcade.

JoystiqPSA: Fez dons its pre-order cap today on Steam, GOG originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezgogpcphil-fishpolytronpolytron-corporationsteamMon, 22 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez PC pre-orders turn the tables on Steam, GOG on April 22]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/fez-pc-pre-orders-turn-the-tables-on-steam-gog-on-april-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/fez-pc-pre-orders-turn-the-tables-on-steam-gog-on-april-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/fez-pc-pre-orders-turn-the-tables-on-steam-gog-on-april-22/#comments Fez PC preorders turn the tables on Steam, GOG on April 22For all you patient PC players itching to get your mitts on XBLA indie hit Fez, mark your calendars (probably take off those mitts first): Fez pre-orders open on April 22 via Steam and GOG, and the game will be 10 percent off - $9 - until it launches on May 1.

"No more waiting for a thing to actually be out before you can buy it! No more keeping all that pesky money to yourself! With our patented pre-order technology, we take your money today and give you something later!" Polytron's official pre-order announcement evangelizes. "Spend money and save money! At the same time!" Now that's a deal.

We found 2012's XBLA version of Fez to be joyful, challenging and deeply satisfying as a puzzle platformer. That edition has sold 200,000 copies to date, and eventually, the game should be out on "pretty much everything," including Mac, Linux, Vita, Ouya and iOS.

JoystiqFez PC pre-orders turn the tables on Steam, GOG on April 22 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FezGOGgog.compcphil-fishpolytronpre-orderSTEAMWed, 17 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez remix soundtrack out April 20, will keep you up at night]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/fez-remix-soundtrack-out-april-20-will-keep-you-up-at-night/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/fez-remix-soundtrack-out-april-20-will-keep-you-up-at-night/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/fez-remix-soundtrack-out-april-20-will-keep-you-up-at-night/#comments Fez remix soundtrack out April 20, will keep you up at nightA special remixed soundtrack album celebrating Fez's first birthday will be released later this month. Entitled, FZ: Side F, the album features Fez's music remixed by various artists, including the game's original maestro, Disasterpeace.

The first track, "Synchrosynct," is available to stream right now, with the full album launching on April 20 for the pay-what-you-want price of $5 or more.

Just when you'd forgotten all about the many, many mysteries contained in Fez, they pull you back in.

JoystiqFez remix soundtrack out April 20, will keep you up at night originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disasterpieceFezpolytronMon, 15 Apr 2013 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez sold 200,000 copies on XBLA to date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/fez-sold-200-000-copies-on-xbla-to-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/fez-sold-200-000-copies-on-xbla-to-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/fez-sold-200-000-copies-on-xbla-to-date/#comments Fez, Polytron Corporation's cute platforming game that made it into Joystiq's Top Ten of 2012 list, has sold over 200,000 copies on XBLA to date. The game crossed the 100,000 copies mark in late May 2012.

The figures come from creator Phil Fish, who took to Polytron's blog today to discuss the one year anniversary of Fez's release. Fish recently noted during a Reddit AMA that the game "should eventually be out on pretty much everything." Fez will arrive on PC on May 1.

JoystiqFez sold 200,000 copies on XBLA to date originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftphil-fishpolytronpolytron-corporationsalesXBLAxboxSat, 13 Apr 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez coming to Steam May 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/fez-coming-to-steam-may-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/fez-coming-to-steam-may-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/fez-coming-to-steam-may-1/#comments Fez coming to Steam May 1A Windows version of Polytron's infinite puzzle dimension portal, Fez, will be released on May 1, as revealed by the game's new Steam page. Like the XBLA version, it's listed as developed by Polytron and published by Trapdoor.

The Steam page does not show any new features, but at the very least it'll be easier to take screenshots of all the beautiful things you'll see, and, for the sake of your own sanity, the occasional screenshot of a glyph you hope to translate later. Patches should be easier too.

If you'd like to start the fun before the release of the game, you can ask creator Phil Fish anything on Reddit right now.

JoystiqFez coming to Steam May 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fezpcpolytronrelease-datesteamMon, 18 Mar 2013 12:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Top 10 of 2012: Fez]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/03/joystiq-top-10-of-2012-fez/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/03/joystiq-top-10-of-2012-fez/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/03/joystiq-top-10-of-2012-fez/#comments FezYears of hype, several delays, a self-destructively outspoken developer, framerate stutters, game-breaking crashes, and now post-patch blues. While I don't agree, I can certainly understand why some have little time for Fez even before getting into the game underneath all the mess. That's a shame, because the game is an absolute peach.

The Fez I played back in April, which crashed nine times in all and stuttered on numerous occasions, was worth the tribulations and then some. I raced through it across the release weekend, throwing myself at the challenge of finding all the cubes hidden within the cryptographic platformer, and doing so without any outside help whatsoever (OK, maybe a little). It should have been a maddening exercise of frustration and ire, but instead I had an airy grin plastered across my features throughout.

Continue reading Joystiq Top 10 of 2012: Fez

JoystiqJoystiq Top 10 of 2012: Fez originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2012fezGOTY-2012joystiq-best-of-2012microsoftpolytronXBLAxboxThu, 03 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez coming to other platforms in 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/31/fez-coming-to-other-platforms-in-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/31/fez-coming-to-other-platforms-in-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/31/fez-coming-to-other-platforms-in-2013/#comments In a sweet "State of the Polytron" post, Fez designer and sole Polytron employee Phil Fish revealed plans to port his cryptographic adventure game to platforms beyond XBLA in 2013, potentially platforms with friendlier policies toward updates.

"Yes, i've heard you, dozens of people emailing me everyday telling me how much of an idiot i am for not porting FEZ to everything," noted Fish. He also teased future developments relating to Disasterpeace's soundtrack for the game (which you can buy here) and "something about a US branch" of Polytron.

Fish also reaffirmed plans for two more games, and expressed interest in designing non-game projects. "I want to design everything," he said. "Maybe not a videogame? Maybe something else entirely. I JUST DON'T KNOW."

JoystiqFez coming to other platforms in 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftphil-fishpolytronxboxMon, 31 Dec 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez going half-off on XBLA for one day only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/fez-going-half-off-on-xbla-for-one-day-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/fez-going-half-off-on-xbla-for-one-day-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/fez-going-half-off-on-xbla-for-one-day-only/#comments Fez is halfoff tomorrow on XBLAPhil Fish's mysterious, beautiful puzzle platformer, Fez, will be available for half off on Xbox Live tomorrow, for one day only.

That means it's down from the usual 800 Microsoft point price to 400 Microsoft points, or $5. At that price, you'd be crazy to pass up the game we said "burns with a brilliant, red-hot, yellow-tasseled flame."

JoystiqFez going half-off on XBLA for one day only originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2d3dFezmicrosoftphil-fishplatformerpolytronpuzzlexboxWed, 19 Dec 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft responds to Polytron's Fez patch claims]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/microsoft-responds-to-polytrons-fez-patch-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/microsoft-responds-to-polytrons-fez-patch-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/microsoft-responds-to-polytrons-fez-patch-claims/#comments Developer Polytron issued a statement two days ago, saying that a save issue affecting a small number of Fez players would no longer be resolved with an additional patch. Microsoft, who Polytron laid the brunt of fault on for demanding an expensive fee to certify and issue the new patch, has now shared its side with Giant Bomb.

"Polytron and their investor, Trapdoor, made the decision not to work on an additional title update for Fez," the statement starts. "Microsoft Studios chose to support this decision based on the belief that Polytron/Trapdoor were in the best position to determine what the acceptable quality level is for their game. While we do not disclose the cost of Title Updates, we did offer to work with Trapdoor to make sure that wasn't a blocking issue. We remain huge fans of Fez."

That last part is perhaps the most interesting, since Polytron claimed Microsoft's price for a new title update was $10,000 - this statement makes it sound like Microsoft may have been willing to negotiate on the price.

In the meantime, you can keep playing an improved post-patch Fez, in the hopes that your save makes it through the whole adventure. Polytron says less than one percent of players have succumbed to the bug.

JoystiqMicrosoft responds to Polytron's Fez patch claims originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpatchphil-fishpolytrontrapdoorupdatexblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeFri, 20 Jul 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Polytron bringing back Fez patch, won't fix save issues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/polytron-bringing-back-fez-patch-wont-fix-save-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/polytron-bringing-back-fez-patch-wont-fix-save-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/polytron-bringing-back-fez-patch-wont-fix-save-issues/#comments After seeing major issues with a patch released for Fez on XBLA, Polytron and Microsoft decided to pull the patch from servers, returning the game to an earlier version. But now Polytron has posted that the patch is coming back, and it will not, repeat not, be fixing the issue where players may lose their save.

Why's that? It's a numbers game, says Polytron. The patch fixes multiple issues with the game (including framerating and loading problems, death loops, and more), and the save corruption issue affects less than one percent of players overall. Because sending out another patch to fix the first patch would cost Polytron "tens of thousands of dollars" to get the game re-certified by Microsoft, the patch is coming back, and any players thus affected by the save issue will just have to deal with it.

Polytron points to this as a major drawback with Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade service, in that the company charges exorbitant fees to developers to release even free updates and content. "Had Fez been released on Steam instead of XBLA," posts Polytron, "the game would have been fixed two weeks after release, at no cost to us." Does that mean a Steam version is in progress? "Only a few months left to our XBLA exclusivity!" says the company on Twitter.

JoystiqPolytron bringing back Fez patch, won't fix save issues originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezfixmicrosoftpatchpolytronupdatexblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 18 Jul 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez patch pulled by Microsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/24/fez-patch-pulled-by-microsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/24/fez-patch-pulled-by-microsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/24/fez-patch-pulled-by-microsoft/#comments A recent patch for Fez that fixed exploits but also corrupted save files was pulled from Xbox Live by Microsoft, according to an update on developer Polytron's blog. The issues caused by the title update could potentially be resolved by clearing the Xbox 360 cache, though now new players shouldn't be affected.

We reached out to Polytron for comment, and were told the developer will "have more details as we work things out with [Microsoft] after the weekend."

JoystiqFez patch pulled by Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Jun 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpatchpolytronpolytron-corporationtitle-updateXBLAxboxSun, 24 Jun 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez patch released, absolutely do not play it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/22/fez-patch-released-absolutely-do-not-play-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/22/fez-patch-released-absolutely-do-not-play-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/22/fez-patch-released-absolutely-do-not-play-it/#comments The long-awaited patch for Fez has finally arrived, though you may want to hold the fanfare. While the patch does fix a number of glitches and prevents a lot of exploits and problematic "infinite death loops" (eek!), it also introduces a "fairly widespread" new problem, according to Polytron. Specifically, "the save file can be seen as corrupted by the game after installing the patch."

Clearing the Xbox 360 cache "should resolve the issue." If that doesn't work, however, "there is no known workaround." In other words, you probably shouldn't play Fez until Polytron patches the patch.

JoystiqFez patch released, absolutely do not play it originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpatchpolytronpolytron-corporationtitle-updatexblaxboxFri, 22 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez patch still incoming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/fez-patch-still-incoming/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/fez-patch-still-incoming/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/fez-patch-still-incoming/#comments
Fez programmer Renaud Bedard has provided an update on the patch meant to handle some "nasty" bugs in the XBLA puzzle platformer. Turns out the patch was submitted on May 17, entered certification on May 21 and failed four days later due to two critical issues.

Bedard was finally able to reproduce one of the issues on June 8 and the patch is back at Microsoft for certification. He estimates it'll take another two weeks for the update to hit - you know, unless there's another hiccup. He notes on the Polytron blog, "Many apologies for the delays. It was a tricky one."

Fez has sold over 100,000 copies since its April launch. You can watch Polytron's labor on digital celluloid in Indie Game: The Movie, available now on iTunes, Steam.

JoystiqFez patch still incoming originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpolytronpolytron-corporationxboxWed, 13 Jun 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez sales shift 100,000 copies across XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/fez-sales-shift-100-000-copies-across-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/fez-sales-shift-100-000-copies-across-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/fez-sales-shift-100-000-copies-across-xbla/#comments ImagePhil Fish (and co.'s) passionate labor has paid off with Fez having reached 100,000 sales on Xbox Live Arcade. Fish made the announcement this morning on the Polytron site. Looks like Microsoft finally gave Fish a sip of that secretive sales data.

Following years of development, which made it feel like Fez had become the second-cousin of Duke Nukem Forever, the game finally launched last month to high critical praise - which is more than we can say for that cousin we mentioned.

JoystiqFez sales shift 100,000 copies across XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpolytronpolytron-corporationsalesxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 31 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft XBLA was profitable within an hour, broke digital sale records]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/minecraft-xbla-was-profitable-within-an-hour/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/minecraft-xbla-was-profitable-within-an-hour/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/minecraft-xbla-was-profitable-within-an-hour/#comments ImageMinecraft is digging its own grave with its latest release on XBLA -- and by "grave" we mean "lavish, gold-plated throne room with indoor pool and grape-feeding robots." Minecraft was profitable within an hour of its launch on XBLA, developer Markus "Notch" Persson tweeted today. That's on top of Notch's multi-million-dollar PC version.

Based on leaderboard participation numbers, Minecraft sold more than 400,000 copies in 24 hours, Notch said. Minecraft broke digital sales records for the console, selling more than any other XBLA title in its first day, according to Microsoft.

Earlier today, Notch tweeted that he had sales numbers for Minecraft (turns out they were the above leaderboard figures), which sparked a conversation about the inner workings of XBLA developer contracts with Fez's Polytron. Polytron still doesn't know Fez's exact numbers, even though it came out a month ago.

"Standard procedure" according to Polytron is "you find out how much you sold when you get your first check three-four months later." Notch thought getting immediate numbers was standard, but he avoided contract negotiation and doesn't know what it says on the subject, he replied.

Minecraft also gets free updates, "which is something every other developer on the platform is told is simply not an option," Polytron wrote. Notch replied: "We had to fight for that, and we got a limited number of them. Not sure why they don't like it."

We may have discovered Notch's hidden talent and secret to his success: fighting for something in a contract while avoiding contract negotiation, and winning.

Continue reading Minecraft XBLA was profitable within an hour, broke digital sale records

JoystiqMinecraft XBLA was profitable within an hour, broke digital sale records originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contractfezmicrosoftMinecraftmojangnotchpolytronsalesXBLAxboxThu, 10 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How the community solved Fez's hardest puzzle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/how-the-community-solved-fezs-hardest-puzzle/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/how-the-community-solved-fezs-hardest-puzzle/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/how-the-community-solved-fezs-hardest-puzzle/#comments Fez players be forewarned, the following contains spoilers. Stay far, far away if you want to uncover all of Fez's secrets for yourself. With that out of the way, dedicated fans know that collecting cubes is only half of Fez. The other half is solving puzzles, some of which hide their solutions in plain sight, while others taunt players with obtuse, seemingly indecipherable clues.

Continue reading How the community solved Fez's hardest puzzle

JoystiqHow the community solved Fez's hardest puzzle originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityFezmicrosoftpolytronpolytron-corporationxboxxbox-liveXbox-Live-ArcadeFri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Fez soundtrack now available for purchase, free streaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/psa-fez-soundtrack-now-available-for-purchase-free-streaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/psa-fez-soundtrack-now-available-for-purchase-free-streaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/psa-fez-soundtrack-now-available-for-purchase-free-streaming/#comments ImageFez keeping you up at night? Do you struggle to sleep as the solutions to puzzles maliciously circle around in your brain, refusing to take shape? You might as well compliment the madness with the full Fez soundtrack. You can now stream the entire album for free, or secure a download for a measly seven bucks.

Composed by Rich Vreeland (A.K.A. Disasterpeace), the soundtrack features 26 deliciously lo-fi tracks. Go ahead and give it a listen. At least then you can convince your friends that it's not just playing in your head.

JoystiqPSA: Fez soundtrack now available for purchase, free streaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disasterpeaceFezmicrosoftmusicpolytronpolytron-corporationrich-vreelandsoundtrackxboxFri, 20 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[FEZ topped XBLA activity charts last week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/fez-topped-xbla-activity-charts-last-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/fez-topped-xbla-activity-charts-last-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/fez-topped-xbla-activity-charts-last-week/#comments Despite being released on a Friday, the long-awaited Fez topped the Xbox Live Arcade activity charts last week. We're just glad that so many people have discovered what we already know: Fez is a pretty good game. Skullgirls and I Am Alive came in second and third on the XBLA charts, respectively.

On the Xbox 360 retail game side, Major Nelson reports that Modern Warfare 3 yet again maintained dominance. It was followed by Black Ops and FIFA 12. If only some company could figure out a way to combine Call of Duty and soccer ... hey, it worked for Mega Man!

Finally, on the Games for Windows Live activity list - we're just kidding. Nobody cares about what's being played on Games for Windows Live.

JoystiqFEZ topped XBLA activity charts last week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpolytronxblaxboxxbox-live-activityxbox-live-arcadeWed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Fez]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/metareview-fez/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/metareview-fez/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/15/metareview-fez/#comments
Fez is already on track to be this year's indie darling among critics, like Braid, Limbo or Super Meat Boy before it. Heck, it received awards before it ever launched. We called Fez "joyful" and entirely worth its protracted development. We aren't alone.
  • Eurogamer (100/100): "It's during this stage that you'll seriously tackle the game's many secrets - all handily marked, but not at all spoiled, on the head-spinning 3D map screen. Think Miyamoto, Kojima or Schafer at their most impish: treasure maps, invisible platforms, secret messages delivered in unexpected ways, puns and tricks of the light."
  • OXM (95/100): "For an experience that could've drowned in an overreliance on using familiar signposts from what's come before it, Fez succeeds in celebrating the past in a smart, joyous way that has us incredibly excited for gaming's future."
  • Edge (90/100): "Draw lines between distant landmarks; forge connections that reveal the logic of a set piece; untangle the story in short, gleeful bursts. The route you pick through Polytron's floating world is nearly impossible to verbalise, while its puzzles resolve themselves in your mind unexpectedly, in clear, wordless chunks. There's really no language to cover many of the things you get up to in Fez. For a videogame in 2012, that may be the ultimate endorsement."
  • Gamespot (80/100): "Fez goes far deeper than the simple platformer it initially appears as, and figuring out the solutions to the many puzzles is an experience that harks back to a time when games weren't scared of taking off the leash and letting you run wild. Invest time in Fez's colorful world, and enjoy the wealth of incredible ideas buried within. "

JoystiqMetareview: Fez originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FezMetareviewmetareviewsmicrosoftpolytronpolytron-corporationxboxSun, 15 Apr 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez devs aware of 'nasty' bugs, working with Microsoft to resolve]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/fez-devs-aware-of-nasty-bugs-working-with-microsoft-to-resolv/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/fez-devs-aware-of-nasty-bugs-working-with-microsoft-to-resolv/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/14/fez-devs-aware-of-nasty-bugs-working-with-microsoft-to-resolv/#comments ImageFez programmer Renaud Bedard notes "twenty thousand people" have played the game in the past 24 hours, more than have in its five years of development, adding: "So, as it happens, bugs popped up. Some pretty serious."

Bedard mentions that a "small subset" of older Xboxen with smaller hard drives can't run the game. He also notes the game has problems running off a USB stick and that in a "rare situation" - by exiting the game from the "wall village" interiors - a save file can corrupt. He admits it's "nasty stuff."

"We will be working internally and with Microsoft on those issues and let you know more later. It makes sense to issue a patch, but we don't currently have an ETA on it."

Those experiencing "game-breaking problems" should let Polytronic know by email.

"Sorry, and thanks for understanding!" He concludes, "And we're thrilled to see that the vast majority of you are enjoying the game as it was meant to be."

JoystiqFez devs aware of 'nasty' bugs, working with Microsoft to resolve originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpolytronpolytron-corporationxboxSat, 14 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Fez finally for really real available to buy and play and everything]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/fez-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/fez-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/fez-out-now/#comments
Ready to get your Z-axis adventures on, all the while wearing an adorable (and potentially magical) hat? Polytron's Fez is finally (finally) available for you to do just that via Xbox Live Arcade. Better yet? It's just $10!

But you haven't heard of Fez, you say? Well, frankly, that's kinda weird. We're saying we think you're kinda weird. If that is the case, however, there's a brand new launch trailer for Fez just above so you can learn all about it. Oh, and hey, we think it's pretty great, in case that wasn't already clear.

JoystiqPSA: Fez finally for really real available to buy and play and everything originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftphil-fishpolytronpolytron-corporationpsapublic-service-announcementrelease-datexblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeFri, 13 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez review: Hats off]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/fez-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/fez-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/fez-review/#comments
Image
Whenever a game is hyped to stratospheric proportions, many times over a course of years, it enters a volatile realm of public reception.

When a game has won numerous awards before its launch, is one half of an industry documentary, and is developed by an outspoken, opinionated man, it resides in a universe of its own and players are relegated to describe it in one of two ways: with blazing praise or incendiary criticism.

Fez is on fire, and it burns with a brilliant, red-hot, yellow-tasseled flame.

Continue reading Fez review: Hats off

JoystiqFez review: Hats off originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FezHatmicrosoftphil-fishpolytronRenaud-Bedardtrixelsxblaxboxxbox-liveThu, 12 Apr 2012 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Listen to the Fez soundtrack now for 3 dimensions of audible awesome]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/listen-to-the-fez-soundtrack-now-for-3-dimensions-of-audible-awe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/listen-to-the-fez-soundtrack-now-for-3-dimensions-of-audible-awe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/listen-to-the-fez-soundtrack-now-for-3-dimensions-of-audible-awe/#comments ImageFez is officially and finally coming out on Friday, April 13, but half of the highly anticipated experience is available now: The Fez soundtrack from Disasterpeace is available in its entirety via Spotify right now, or for pre-order and sampling on Bandcamp.

Before anyone says, "Wutevs not every1 has been waiting 4 Fez for 5 yrs STFU u guise," the soundtrack is currently number one on Bandcamp, so it's not completely off the mainstream radar. Personally, we've been listening to the soundtrack all day and already we feel more well-rounded.

JoystiqListen to the Fez soundtrack now for 3 dimensions of audible awesome originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BandCampFezmicrosoftphil-fishpolytronsoundtrackspotifyxboxTue, 10 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez hits XBLA on April 13 for 800 MSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/fez-hits-xbla-on-april-13-for-800-msp/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/fez-hits-xbla-on-april-13-for-800-msp/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/fez-hits-xbla-on-april-13-for-800-msp/#comments Xbox Live Arcade finally becomes a glorified Fez dispenser on Friday, April 13th. Polytron just blasted out the release date and ten-dollar price point for its perplexing play on perspective -- and we've decided that we now want all such announcements embedded inside exuberant and weirdly hypnotic graphics.

The game's lengthy development time and subsequent trials in Microsoft certification have been dominant talking points until now, and they're joined by an unusual Friday launch date on Xbox Live Arcade. If you want to learn more about the man behind Fez, be sure to read about our afternoon spent with one Phil Fish.

JoystiqFez hits XBLA on April 13 for 800 MSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftphil-fishpolytronrelease-datexblaxboxWed, 28 Mar 2012 20:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Gain some perspective with this new Fez trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/gain-some-perspective-with-this-new-fez-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/gain-some-perspective-with-this-new-fez-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/gain-some-perspective-with-this-new-fez-trailer/#comments
Fez's concept of 2D platforming in a 3D space sounds simple on paper, but you have to see its execution in motion to really, really wrap your head around it. Thankfully, we've got six minutes of said motion after the break.

JoystiqGain some perspective with this new Fez trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezgameplaymicrosoftpolytronpolytron-corporationxboxWed, 14 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fezes are cool: An afternoon with Phil Fish]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/fezes-are-cool-an-afternoon-with-phil-fish/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/fezes-are-cool-an-afternoon-with-phil-fish/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/fezes-are-cool-an-afternoon-with-phil-fish/#comments Amidst the gridlocked, city-wide pandemonium that is SXSW Interactive, I was able to rescue Fez's lead designer and artist Phil Fish from a pack of ravenous, business-card waving fans long enough for an interview. We set up at the quiet end of the Palmer Events Center's glass-lined second floor, standing at a chest high, sidewalk cafe-esque table overlooking Zilker Park. It had been raining for two days straight, but that morning the clouds had parted and festival attendees were treated to one of the few gorgeous spring afternoons Texas will get this year.

Fez has missed its most recently announced release window of Q1 2012, but the fact that the game is undergoing Microsoft certification means that it'll be out relatively soon. "We almost made it to Q1," Fish said. "We entered certification like two weeks ago, but we actually just failed it, which is kinda standard. Pretty much everybody fails their first cert."

Microsoft has a two-month window in which it can release Fez once it has gone gold, and Fish wants to make sure it happens as quickly as possible. "We're trying to put pressure on them to release it as soon as possible because the zeitgeist is really good right now, with the movie starting to get a lot of play and the award. And, also, it's been five years. I don't want to wait another two months after that."

Continue reading Fezes are cool: An afternoon with Phil Fish

JoystiqFezes are cool: An afternoon with Phil Fish originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FezIGFigf-2012indie-game-the-movieKickstarterLisanne-PajotmicrosoftPhil-FishPolytronpolytron-corporationsummer-of-arcadeSXSW-2012XBLAxboxTue, 13 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Phil Fish's next game won't be on XBLA, might be Kickstarter'd]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/phil-fishs-next-game-wont-be-on-xbla-might-be-kickstarterd/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/phil-fishs-next-game-wont-be-on-xbla-might-be-kickstarterd/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/phil-fishs-next-game-wont-be-on-xbla-might-be-kickstarterd/#comments Fez may just now be undergoing the certification process at Microsoft, but that doesn't mean designer Phil Fish is resting on his laurels. Quite the contrary, in fact; Fish's next project is already in its formative stages, and he's so anxious to begin work that he may use Kickstarter to fund it. Whatever that project might be, however, it won't be an XBLA game.

"Well, our next project is going to be not for XBLA," Fish told us during SXSW Interactive, in response to a question regarding Fez's limited XBLA exclusivity, and the possibility of a similar arrangement for his next title. "I think it's unfortunate that Microsoft works that way, but like I said [during the panel] we gave them what they wanted and they've been backing us up the whole time. I'm sure you've heard many horror stories of people working with XBLA; they've been nothing but understanding and supporting of us this whole entire time."

It's been three months since Fish's work on Fez ended; the game is still being debugged by other members of the team, but in his capacity as a designer he's finished. He hasn't quite known what to do with himself in the interim, and that restlessness has lead him and his team to heavily consider Kickstarter for their next project.

"It's going to take a while before we get money from Microsoft, and I want to get started on this project that I'm making with a couple people, a larger team than just me and another guy," Fish said. "We wouldn't need much and we wouldn't ask for much, but I assume we'll get more than we ask for, having just won the grand prize and Fez about to come out."

The campaign wouldn't start until after the release of Fez, which Fish is concerned about: "I'm afraid people might take [the Kickstarter] the wrong way. Like, 'Why do you need a Kickstarter, you just made Fez?' Yeah, but it takes five months before we get paid, maybe, it's totally variable, but at least three months. The best case scenario is we get paid three months after the release. I don't want to wait three months."

JoystiqPhil Fish's next game won't be on XBLA, might be Kickstarter'd originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FezKickstarterPhil-Fishpolytronpolytron-corporationSXSW-2012XBLAMon, 12 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez hits XBLA on May 2 [Update: Nope!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/fez-hits-xbla-on-may-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/fez-hits-xbla-on-may-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/fez-hits-xbla-on-may-2/#comments Update: Turns out the date Microsoft has listed for Fez is completely wrong. Polytron's Phil Fish has informed us that Fez has no set release date, that the May 2, 2012 date listed on the Xbox Live Marketplace is incorrect, and that the game hasn't even been certified by Microsoft. We sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding and have reached out to Microsoft for comment.

It's been a long time coming, but it looks like the wait for Polytron's Fez is finally nearing its end. The adorable pixel art indie darling will arrive on May 2, according to the Xbox Live Marketplace.

Originally slated to launch in 2009, Fez's development has been characterized by repeated delays, as well as accolades from the indie-gaming community. It is also one of the titles featured in Indie Game: The Movie, which is an official selection at this year's SXSW Film festival. Here's hoping the game can download in less time than it took to develop.

[Thanks, Freakservo!]

JoystiqFez hits XBLA on May 2 [Update: Nope!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpolytronrelease-dateXBLAxboxSun, 26 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[It's getting there: Fez rated by ESRB]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/its-getting-there-fez-rated-by-esrb/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/its-getting-there-fez-rated-by-esrb/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/its-getting-there-fez-rated-by-esrb/#comments Phil Fish's Fez contractions continue, with the game finally being rated by the ESRB. It was also rated by Europe's PEGI board in December, but has yet to hit the Australian boards. So, expect labor to last for a little while longer.

The long-in-development (yet award-winning) game now has a release window of "early 2012." If you order cigars from Cuba for the birth, feel free to go with the cheap shipping option.

JoystiqIt's getting there: Fez rated by ESRB originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ESRBFezmicrosoftPolytronxboxMon, 30 Jan 2012 18:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez rated in Europe, the four-year wait is almost over]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/fez-rated-in-europe-the-four-year-wait-is-almost-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/fez-rated-in-europe-the-four-year-wait-is-almost-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/fez-rated-in-europe-the-four-year-wait-is-almost-over/#comments Fez is finally showing signs of imminent birth, with this being the equivalent of "water breaking," as Europe's PEGI board recently classified the game for Xbox Live. XBLAfans took note of the rating, a step which has yet to occur with the Australian Board or the States' ESRB.

The unreleased -- yet award-winning -- game currently has a release window of "early 2012." Now, if we all eat our vegetables and wash behind our ears every night, that launch window may actually stick.

JoystiqFez rated in Europe, the four-year wait is almost over originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europeFezmicrosoftpegiphil-fishpolytronxboxThu, 29 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez was inspired by Ico's minimalism and 'lonely isolation']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/fez-was-inspired-by-icos-minimalism-and-lonely-isolation/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/fez-was-inspired-by-icos-minimalism-and-lonely-isolation/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/fez-was-inspired-by-icos-minimalism-and-lonely-isolation/#comments Polytron's Fez has been such a long time coming, designer Phil Fish explained at Fantastic Arcade this weekend (where Fez won the above Audience Choice award), because "we've had no points of reference for what our 2D/3D 'moment to moment' play is." While there are other games that involve moving from 2D into 3D space, like Echochrome and Crush, they "don't work like Fez at all," he said.

As Fish has worked to figure out how Fez does work, he's removed a lot of features from the game that he began to see as cruft. "There used to be a billion different things in Fez that didn't have to do with the core mechanic of rotation," Fish said. "We used to have the concept of weight: objects had different weights; if a vase was empty you could fill it with water to trigger a switch ... It was nothing to do with flipping between 2D and 3D."

Other lost concepts included health, which Fish resisted removing at first simply because he liked the classic look of a heart meter on the screen. But it wasn't necessary in a game with no enemies. Both the "design by subtraction" mindset and the lack of enemies are inspired by Ico, he said. Fumito Ueda's game design philosophy informed his, as did Ico's "nostalgic, lonely isolation." He also cites Mario, Zelda, and Myst games as inspirations.

JoystiqFez was inspired by Ico's minimalism and 'lonely isolation' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftphil-fishpolytronxblaxboxWed, 28 Sep 2011 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez footage is positively magical]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/fez-footage-is-positively-magical/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/fez-footage-is-positively-magical/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/fez-footage-is-positively-magical/#comments After the break you will find nearly six minutes of gameplay footage from Fez. It looks, in short, pretty magical. We suggest you watch it as often as possible. You could start right now. That would be a good choice.

Continue reading Fez footage is positively magical

JoystiqFez footage is positively magical originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpolytronpolytron-corporationxblaxboxxbox-liveWed, 16 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez preview: It's the little things]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/fez-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/fez-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/fez-preview/#comments Fez is not just a platformer. Nor is it just a puzzle-platformer. Fez is an experience. A crazy experience that's clearly the product of some eccentric and passionate game developers -- two, in fact, who are all that comprise Polytron Corporation, the game's Montreal-based developer.

Fez is what happens when you mix fancy, high-end modern consoles with 16-bit-era graphics, and put two guys with very serious detail obsession in control. In short, Fez is very, very impressive.

Continue reading Fez preview: It's the little things

JoystiqFez preview: It's the little things originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpax-east-2011phil-fishpolytronpolytron-corporationtrapdoorxblaxboxMon, 14 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez being co-published by Trapdoor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/fez-being-co-published-by-trapdoor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/fez-being-co-published-by-trapdoor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/fez-being-co-published-by-trapdoor/#comments Before jumping around Villageville with Gomez in Polytron's Fez at PAX East, we couldn't help but notice a bright logo for relatively unknown developer Trapdoor. This might not be so strange if it weren't for the fact that Trapdoor itself isn't a game publisher -- and its own XBLA/PSN/Steam game Warp is being published with EA Partners.

When asked about the surprise splash screen, Trapdoor founder Ken Schachter explained it by saying, "We should be issuing a press release this week, but the gist of it is that we're going to be announcing that we're co-publishing Fez."

That said, given Trapdoor's ability to co-publish Fez, we wondered why the studio isn't publishing its own game, Warp. "We met with a bunch of publishers, and we weighed a bunch of options, but at the end of the day we were really impressed with the team at EA, and with what they had to bring to the table," Schachter told us. He further explained, "Basically, with regards to EA Partners, they've been really great about letting us be and focus on the creative part. And really just work on our game, and retain ownership of our IP. And they have a world class business, marketing, and PR team. And that's really the best of both worlds."

As previously announced, Warp is expected to launch this summer, while Fez should arrive at some point later this year.

JoystiqFez being co-published by Trapdoor originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnerselectronic-artsFezken-schachtermicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2011polytronpolytron-corporationtrapdoorxblaxboxSun, 13 Mar 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez playable at PAX East, visible in this trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/fez-playable-at-pax-east-visible-in-this-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/fez-playable-at-pax-east-visible-in-this-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/fez-playable-at-pax-east-visible-in-this-trailer/#comments If you're at PAX East this weekend, you'll finally get the opportunity to play Polytron's perspective-shifting XBLA platformer, Fez, in booth 1118. We're guessing there's going to be a line. But even if you don't get to play it, you can enjoy a new trailer released for the occasion.

Continue reading Fez playable at PAX East, visible in this trailer

JoystiqFez playable at PAX East, visible in this trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpax-east-2011polytronxboxFri, 11 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gameloft treads on XBL Indie games with Tank Battles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/gameloft-treads-on-xbl-indie-games-with-tank-battles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/gameloft-treads-on-xbl-indie-games-with-tank-battles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/10/gameloft-treads-on-xbl-indie-games-with-tank-battles/#comments Xbox Live Arcade was once thought to be a bastion of independent game development, destined to help independent studios get their projects to the game-playing masses. While that's still true to a certain extent -- Ska Studios and Polytron say hi -- there's no denying that an increasingly large number of XBLA games are being created by major publishers and development houses. And now it seems as if Xbox Live Indie Games -- quite literally a bastion of independent game development -- might suffer the same fate.

Unstoppable mobile game publisher Gameloft (a subsidiary of Ubisoft) is officially entering the Indie Games space with Tank Battles. As the title implies, the game features tanks doing battle from a third-person perspective. If the title sounds familiar, it's because the game was already released on PSN last year as Battle Tanks. The game offers up to 4-players (locally or online) to duke it out and, truth be told, it looks pretty fun. Check out a trailer after the break.

[Via GamerBytes]

Continue reading Gameloft treads on XBL Indie games with Tank Battles

JoystiqGameloft treads on XBL Indie games with Tank Battles originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-tanksgameloftindependent-developersindie-gamesMicrosoftpolytronska-studiostank-battlesubisoftXbox-360xbox-liveSat, 10 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Austin GDC 2009: Phil Fish offers first public demo of Fez]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/austin-gdc-2009-phil-fish-offers-first-public-demo-of-fez/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/austin-gdc-2009-phil-fish-offers-first-public-demo-of-fez/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/austin-gdc-2009-phil-fish-offers-first-public-demo-of-fez/#commentsCapping off the "The New Indie Hotness" panel at Austin GDC, Polytron's Phil Fish played an early version of the multidimensional XBLA platformer, Fez, for the audience. Though there were a few issues related to the pre-release state of the game -- specifically, Fish claimed that some platforms were disappearing -- we saw enough to know that this is something to continue following!

Fez plays sort of like Super Paper Mario, but with more of an emphasis on optical illusions. It appears as a 2D sidescrolling platformer most of the time, but at any time the player can rotate the entire world 90 degrees along a vertical axis. This allows the player to use optical illusions to navigate the game world. For example, Fish climbed a ladder up the side of one platform, and then rotated the world to reveal another identical platform several yards away. By rotating again, the perspective shifted such that it looked like the ladder was connected to the second platform -- and so it was, and Fish emerged atop the once-distant platform.

In another example, Fish tossed a bomb onto a moving platform to expose the entrance to a cave. He walked to the entrance, and then rotated the world 180 degrees to reveal the other side of the rock structure into which the cave had been cut, granting him immediate access to the other side.

When Fish paused, we noticed a "leaderboards" item in the pause menu. We don't know as yet what the leaderboards will compare, but at least they'll be there.

JoystiqAustin GDC 2009: Phil Fish offers first public demo of Fez originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austin-gdc-2009fezMicrosoftplatformerpolytronxblaXbox-360Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST