Joystiq

Save the Day from the comfort of home, for free

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:00:00 EST

Denki, the developers of charming land-grab word game, Quarrel, have a new, free browser game all about saving people from certain doom. Save the Day is a "save 'em up," twitch arcade game built for consoles in HTML 5 but playable completely on the web.

"A lot of platforms, engines and developers talk about aiming to deliver console gaming experiences in the browser but - to date - few have delivered," producer Sean Taylor says. "We see Save the Day as a benchmark, proof that you can make a browser game which not only looks like it belongs on XBLA or PSN but plays like it too."

Give Save the Day a try right here.

Continue reading Save the Day from the comfort of home, for free

Save the Day from the comfort of home, for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quarrel iOS on sale this weekend in honor of XBLA version

JC Fletcher — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST

To celebrate the release of Quarrel on XBLA, publisher Ignition has temporarily dropped the price ... of the iOS version. Don't spend too much time thinking about that -- instead, enjoy the excuse to pick up Quarrel Deluxe this weekend for a dollar.

The XBLA version remains at its full price, but, like, full price is five dollars. As we approach a 1200 MS Point ($15) standard for games, five bucks is not bad for a bit of wordplay.

Quarrel iOS on sale this weekend in honor of XBLA version originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XBL language filter prevents harmless words from being used in Quarrel

Jessica Conditt — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:40:00 EST

Microsoft's language filter on Xbox Live is strangling the linguistic skills of Quarrel players, banning such words as "help," "train," "balls" and "shaft" from being played. While we can understand the potential risque-ness of some of these words -- especially "help," which we're sure was added at the request of the XBL customer-service team -- without context we don't see the harm in them.

These words are fair game in singleplayer (with the Family Setting turned off), but Microsoft adds an extra filter to Live play, developer Denki's Gary Penn told Edge: "Quarrel uses the Collins official Scrabble dictionary comprising over 110,000 words up to eight letters in length, including a huge collection of words deemed 'offensive' by Collins, such as 'arse', 'shit', 'wank' and 'fuck.'"

Other banned words include "start," "skid," "poop," "hung," "dice" and "god." We're stumped on how to use "dice" in an offensive manner, but we've seen "fag" flung around Xbox Live chat with alarming, unfiltered regularity, so we're not going to try to figure out Microsoft's regulation process here.

XBL language filter prevents harmless words from being used in Quarrel originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quarrel was rejected by 'almost every games publisher,' mostly for being a word game

Mike Schramm — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:59:00 EST

Bringing Quarrel to XBLA seems like a no-brainer. The game's done very well on iOS, and it was intended for Microsoft's platform in the first place. But in a post on Denki's official blog, managing director Colin Anderson says that the game (which began as the prototype above) was rejected by "almost every games publisher in the world. Sometimes twice; occasionally three times."

The acquisition teams at game publishers liked it, apparently, but the finance and marketing departments ... not so much. They suggested, says Anderson, that the game was too difficult, that it was broken because you sometimes had to beat opposing players with fewer letters to make words, or because gamers in general "just don't buy word games."

Obviously, the iOS version proved that untrue, and Anderson hails the release of the game on XBLA as a chance for gamers to show "the game industry" that it was wrong. The only question left is if XBLA gamers will find themselves under Quarrel's spell just as much as their iOS counterparts.

Quarrel was rejected by 'almost every games publisher,' mostly for being a word game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Deja Review: Quarrel (XBLA)

JC Fletcher — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:50:00 EST

We're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago. What's the point of applying a score to a game that's old enough to be enrolled in the sixth grade? That's why we invented Deja Review: A quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games.

Quarrel was originally planned for XBLA, and then all the publishing deals fell through. Then Ignition took it on and began working with developer Denki on an iOS release -- which ended up coming out first. That makes this XBLA version, which was the original version, a re-release. Weird!

What isn't weird is playing this on XBLA. It's still just as difficult to battle over territory by quickly spelling out anagrams, and just as satisfying to capture your opponent's soldiers by doing so. The combination of fairly quick board-game design and online play is an obvious winner, giving it a decisive advantage over its portable counterpart. Even if you're playing alone, new modes offer experiences not found in the iOS release.

Gallery: Quarrel (XBLA 1/25/11)

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Deja Review: Quarrel (XBLA) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quarrel brings fighting words to XBLA Jan. 25 for 400 Microsoft Points

JC Fletcher — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:45:00 EST

Ignition Entertainment and Denki are following up the acclaimed iOS release of the word game Quarrel with the long-awaited XBLA version on January 25, for 400 Microsoft Points ($5), Joystiq can announce exclusively. The XBLA release features the same character art, style, and gameplay as the portable iteration, as you can see in our gallery below.

However, this console version features something very important that the iOS one didn't: online multiplayer for 2-4 players! No longer are you at the mercy of Quarrel's surprisingly punishing AI; instead, you can test your anagrammery against your friends. Those friends will have to be remote, as Quarrel's multiplayer is online-only.

This XBLA release was the original version of Quarrel. Denki was working on it until 2010, when finances forced the developer to cut staff. Ignition stepped in last year and rescued the game by taking on publishing duties.

Gallery: Quarrel (XBLA)

Quarrel brings fighting words to XBLA Jan. 25 for 400 Microsoft Points originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Holiday Buyers Guide: iOS

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST

You'll forgive us, but we're banking on the concept of Aunt Eileen stuffing your stocking with iTunes gift cards rather than, say, a Zune Marketplace one. Perhaps that depends on if you've been naughty or nice? We're not quite sure how this holiday stuff works, but we're trying our best here.

Anyway, below the break we've compiled another year's worth of great games on both iPhone and iPad platforms that we hope you'll love as well. Even if you don't get those gift cards, these games should still be affordable -- even after buying all those presents. Good luck with the relatives!

Continue reading 2011 Holiday Buyers Guide: iOS

2011 Holiday Buyers Guide: iOS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quarrel on sale this weekend for an agreeable 99 cents

JC Fletcher — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:45:00 EST

If you've been playing the free version of Quarrel, and you're ready for a new collection of virtual wordsmith-generals to be drubbed by, take note: From 12:01am PDT tomorrow (3:01am EDT) through Sunday night at 11:59pm PDT (2:59am EDT), Quarrel Deluxe is on sale, marked down from $5 to the magic iPhone price point of 99 cents.

That takes away some of the sting from the purchase, leaving only the sting of having all your territory captured by an AI who is just better than you are at coming up with big words on the fly.

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Quarrel on sale this weekend for an agreeable 99 cents originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Portabliss: Quarrel

Christopher Grant — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:25:00 EST

Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Quarrel.

"If you're an Independent Developer, and you're not selling games directly to customers yet, start worrying, because this industry is changing beyond all recognition." - Denki founder Colin Anderson

After failing to find a publisher for its Xbox Live Arcade word puzzler Quarrel, developer Denki laid off much of its staff and got to work on abandoning its "old business model" so it could start selling games directly to customers. And while that Xbox Live Arcade version has been done for some time, and has finally found a publisher in Ignition Entertainment, it's the new iOS version that Denki is releasing first ... last Thursday, in fact.

Quarrel is a polished word puzzler that bills itself as equal parts Scrabble and Risk, and it works like this: You face-off against computer-controlled opponents, trying to capture every territory on the map; however, unlike Risk, battles in Quarrel are fought with words. At the beginning of each match, both players will be given the same eight letters, an anagram shuffled up beyond recognition (my last round was PANELLED). The number of letters you're able to deploy in battle depends on how many troops you have on each territory. My six-troop territory played PLEAD, worth 10 points, against the AI's six-troop PEEL, worth a measly seven.

Gallery: Quarrel (iPad / iPhone)

Continue reading Portabliss: Quarrel

Portabliss: Quarrel originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quarrel brings verbal warfare to iOS on Aug. 25

JC Fletcher — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:45:00 EST

We've been looking forward to Denki's word game/war game mashup, Quarrel, for a long time, even long before playing it at E3 this year. Finally, after years of uncertainty about the game's fate, developer Denki announced a release date (for the iOS version at least) and it's this Thursday. Publisher Ignition confirmed to Joystiq that the date applies to North America, and not just the game's native European territory.

Quarrel will be released as a universal (iPhone/iPad) app. Two versions will be available on the App Store, a free game called Quarrel and a paid version called Quarrel Deluxe. "Quarrel caters to those who are new to our lovely word game or otherwise want to try it before buying it," the developer explains. "If the trial pleases you and your budding interest turns into a real love for it, you can upgrade to the full Quarrel extravaganza within the app with one easy In-App Purchase." Quarrel Deluxe is simply the full version paid in advance.

Quarrel challenges two players to build the longest word out of a jumble of letters in order to capture territory on a map. Ignition also plans to release it on console download services later this year.

Gallery: Quarrel (iPad / iPhone)

Quarrel brings verbal warfare to iOS on Aug. 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Word game Quarrel rescued by Ignition, now headed to iOS and consoles

JC Fletcher — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST

Last year, developer Denki was forced to cut staff when it couldn't find a publisher for Quarrel, an XBLA word game that combines anagram-searching with very light Risk-style territory battles. But over a year later, the developer finally did find the right partner for Quarrel, one who "values good games," as a frustrated Denki blog post put it last year: Ignition.

It was the XBLA version of Quarrel that Ignition showed off in its E3 booth, but Ignition's Shane Bettenhausen explained that the word game will actually launch on iOS first this summer, followed by console versions later in the year.

Quarrel pits two players against one another as they attempt to capture each discrete chunk of territory on a map. To do so, players must challenge the opponent to, essentially, a word jumble. Eight letters appear on screen, and the number of those letters that can be used is determined by the number of soldiers in the particular group you're controlling. So, for example, if a regiment of four soldiers attacks a territory manned by six, the attacking player can only make up to four-letter words, and the defender can make six-letter words. Each letter has a point value, like Scrabble, and the player with the highest score wins.

Proving its implied commitment to value -- "good games" -- Denki added some interesting educational extras. At the end of every match, the best possible word, one that uses all eight letters, is presented on screen, and even defined. When it comes to games that increase our word power, there'll be no contention from us.

Gallery: Quarrel (iOS)

Word game Quarrel rescued by Ignition, now headed to iOS and consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Denki reevaluates release of 'finished, super polished' XBLA game Quarrel, cuts staff

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST

Having failed to find an appropriate publisher for its "finished, super polished" XBLA word game, Quarrel, developer Denki has announced layoffs of much of its staff. The "major restructuring" -- Develop claims the staff has shrunken from 25 to just 6 -- comes just one week after an exciting new trailer showed off the game's features. The studio hopes to abandon its "old business model" and gain better access to players directly, though it seems the game likely won't be heading to XBLA.

Denki's post posits that the game industry, in its reliance on low-risk projects, "doesn't value good games. Players do, but the games industry doesn't." It also notes that the game will still be released in some form "this year -- supposing we have to bring the board game version round each of your houses one-by-one." Keep your tea and biscuits at the ready! Oh, and also, if you're looking for developers, Denki would be happy to hear from you.

[Thanks, Steven.]

Denki reevaluates release of 'finished, super polished' XBLA game Quarrel, cuts staff originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Word wars coming to XBLA this year with the release of Quarrel

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:00:00 EST

About a year and a half ago, we wrote about a fascinating title from Denki called Quarrel. The outline for the game tickled our board game-loving fancies -- you lead troops to conquer territories on a small island, building words out of tiles in order to destroy your opponents in a Risk meets Scrabble-esque fashion. We were pumped. We were 'gized. Then we didn't hear anything about the game for a year and a half.

Fortunately, the game is still very much alive and kicking, as evidenced by the trailer posted after the jump. As an added bonus, it looks like it'll also feature Avatar support, meaning you'll really be able to soak up the shame on your friends' faces when they come at you with a "C-A-T" or a "R-O-C-K."

[Via GamerBytes]

Continue reading Word wars coming to XBLA this year with the release of Quarrel

Word wars coming to XBLA this year with the release of Quarrel originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XBLA Quarrel mixes Risk, Scrabble and Countdown

Dustin Burg — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Xbox Live Arcade

Sometime soon, developer Denki has plans to release a new Xbox Live Arcade game called Quarrel. A game that's a blended mix of Risk, Scrabble and the UK game show Countdown.

To play, players try to capture and hold various territories (Risk) by competing in rounds of Countdown by spelling various words of different point values (Scrabble). Players will also have to strategically place "quarrelers" pieces on each territory, which will ultimately affect the territory's point value. Sound complicated? Sound fun? Sound Riskascrabblecountdown'riffic? Make the jump to read Square-Go's early Quarrel impressions.

[Via Joystiq]

XBLA Quarrel mixes Risk, Scrabble and Countdown originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XBLA's Quarrel will Countdown to a Risky Scrabble

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Casual

Denki, the Dundee-based developer behind the well-received GBA puzzler Denki Blocks, might just be the Girl Talk of board game mash-ups. Their upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title, Quarrel, is an amalgam of three "off-the-grid" titles: Risk, Scrabble and Countdown (a popular UK game show). The game, which is Denki's first title in seven years, is reportedly about a year away -- but gaming news site Square-Go got their hands on an early build of Quarrel in order to see just how these three great tastes taste together.

The main objective of the game is to gain control of territories (in Risk-esque fashion). Skirmishes between players are hashed out in a round of Countdown, where players make words out of tiles, which are assigned different point values (ala Scrabble). Further strategy includes managing the number of "quarrelers" you have stationed at a particular territory -- more quarrelers means more tiles with which to form longer, point-garnering words. A game where vocabulary, not physical prowess, dictates strength? It's a pulchritudinous dream come true!

[Via GamerBytes]

XBLA's Quarrel will Countdown to a Risky Scrabble originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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