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[Robot Entertainment celebrates 4th birthday with catalog sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/02/robot-entertainment-celebrates-4th-birthday-with-catalog-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/02/robot-entertainment-celebrates-4th-birthday-with-catalog-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/02/robot-entertainment-celebrates-4th-birthday-with-catalog-sale/#comments Robot Entertainment is celebrating four years of game development with a sale highlighting library of releases: Orcs Must Die, Orcs Must Die 2, and Hero Academy.

Purchase of any item from the studio's official store will net you a Steam key to activate the item on Valve's digital distribution platform. Highlights include Orcs Must Die 2 for $3.74 and Hero Academy, with all DLC, for $4.24.

Robot Entertainment rose from the ashes of Ensemble Studios, the Halo Wars developer Microsoft shut down back in 2008. When Ensemble was shuttered, the founders went off and formed Robot Entertainment; others would go on to form Bonfire Studios.

JoystiqRobot Entertainment celebrates 4th birthday with catalog sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Mar 2013 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-academymacorcs-must-dieorcs-must-die-2pcrobot-entertainmentsteamSat, 02 Mar 2013 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! franchise on sale for a little while longer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/orcs-must-die-franchise-on-sale-for-a-little-while-longer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/orcs-must-die-franchise-on-sale-for-a-little-while-longer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/orcs-must-die-franchise-on-sale-for-a-little-while-longer/#comments For another four-ish hours the Orcs Must Die franchise is 75 percent off on Steam. Robot Entertainment's original third-person tower defense splattertacular is currently $2.49, while the cooperative sequel is $3.74. Grab the whole franchise and its DLC for $8.74.

Although the sequel can be played alone, as we noted in our review, it's best with a buddy. Good times guaranteed.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die! 2 (Family Ties Booster Pack)

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! franchise on sale for a little while longer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-dieorcs-must-die-2pcrobot-entertainmentMon, 28 Jan 2013 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hero Academy now enrolling on Mac]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/hero-academy-now-enrolling-on-mac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/hero-academy-now-enrolling-on-mac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/hero-academy-now-enrolling-on-mac/#comments Hero Academy now enrolling on MacHero Academy, already available on iOS and PC, is now available on Mac via Steam. The addictive turn-based strategy game from Robot Entertainment (Orcs Must Die) pits two teams of various units against one another, tasking players with either destroying the opposing team's crystals, or eliminating all enemy units.

The Steam version is $5 and works on both PC and Mac and includes the special Team Fortress 2 team. Furthermore, all purchased teams work across all versions of the game, including iOS.

JoystiqHero Academy now enrolling on Mac originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-academyiosipadiphonemacmobilepcrobot-entertainmentsteamWed, 12 Dec 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! 2 adds 'Are We There Yeti?' booster pack November 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/orcs-must-die-2-adds-are-we-there-yeti-booster-pack-november/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/orcs-must-die-2-adds-are-we-there-yeti-booster-pack-november/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/orcs-must-die-2-adds-are-we-there-yeti-booster-pack-november/#comments Orcs Must Die! 2 adds 'Are We There Yeti' booster pack Nov 1Orcs Must Die! 2 is getting a third booster pack this Thursday, November 1 for $4.99. Puntastically titled 'Are We There Yeti?', it introduces three icy levels along with new enemies, costumes, and Endless Mode conversions. An extra trinket, trap, and weapon are also bundled in.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die! 2 - Are We There Yeti?

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! 2 adds 'Are We There Yeti?' booster pack November 1

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! 2 adds 'Are We There Yeti?' booster pack November 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-die-2pcrelease-daterobot-entertainmentsteamTue, 30 Oct 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! 2 'Family Ties' pack premieres tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/orcs-must-die-2-family-ties-pack-premieres-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/orcs-must-die-2-family-ties-pack-premieres-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/orcs-must-die-2-family-ties-pack-premieres-tomorrow/#comments Orcs Must Die 2 'Family Ties' pack available todayA second booster pack breeches the defenses of Orcs Must Die! 2 tomorrow, releasing on Steam for $4.99. The 'Family Ties' DLC includes three new levels, the new Stone Staff and Teleportation Ring weapons, the Jar of Ghosts trinket, new costumes, a new enemy and bonus skull definition, and Courtney Cox starring as Lauren Miller in Seasons 6 and 7.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die! 2 (Family Ties Booster Pack)

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! 2 'Family Ties' pack premieres tomorrow

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! 2 'Family Ties' pack premieres tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCorcs-must-die-2pcrobot-entertainmentsteamWed, 26 Sep 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! 2 gets Fire and Water booster this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/28/orcs-must-die-2-gets-fire-and-water-booster-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/28/orcs-must-die-2-gets-fire-and-water-booster-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/28/orcs-must-die-2-gets-fire-and-water-booster-this-week/#comments Orcs Must Die! 2 gets Fire and Water booster this weekOrcs Must Die! 2 get its first booster pack this week. The Fire & Water DLC will be available this Wednesday on Steam for $5. It includes new levels, enemies, traps, and three more Endless Mode levels.

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! 2 gets Fire and Water booster this week

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! 2 gets Fire and Water booster this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmacorcs-must-die-2pcrelease-daterobot-entertainmentsteamTue, 28 Aug 2012 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hero Academy admits students today on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/10/hero-academy-admits-students-today-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/10/hero-academy-admits-students-today-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/10/hero-academy-admits-students-today-on-steam/#comments ImageRobot Entertainment's delayed Steam edition of Hero Academy will be available today. The developer tells us it should be available "around midday Eastern time."

"The price for the base game on Steam will be $4.99. For that, players will get the core game without ads - the ios base game is free, but is supported by ads - the Council team, the Team Fortress 2 expansion team, which can then be used on iOS devices also and the Council-inspired Ninja Cowl cosmetic item for TF2," said community manager Justin Korthof of Robot to us about the release.

Korthof tells us additional pricing for expansion team packs will be revealed when the game goes live in a few hours.

Update: Available now.

Continue reading Hero Academy admits students today on Steam

JoystiqHero Academy admits students today on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-academypcrobot-entertainmentFri, 10 Aug 2012 11:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Hero Academy delayed on Steam, will launch as soon as possible]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/hero-academy-delayed-on-steam-will-launch-as-soon-as-possible/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/hero-academy-delayed-on-steam-will-launch-as-soon-as-possible/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/hero-academy-delayed-on-steam-will-launch-as-soon-as-possible/#comments ImageRobot Entertainment's Hero Academy for Steam has been delayed, missing yesterday's launch date.

"We ran into an unexpected issue at the last minute. The issue only seems to affect a small portion of players, but we're not comfortable shipping the game until we've resolved it," Justin Korthof of Robot told Joystiq. "We know it's a nuisance for players who were excited to start playing yesterday, but it's important to us that Hero Academy is at its best when it's released."

Steam now lists the game with an August 16 release date, but Korthof tells us that's a placeholder.

"While it could take that long to release, we're optimistic that it will be out sooner than that," he continued. "We want to release the highest quality game possible, and we're working hard to get this issue resolved quickly. We're hoping to have more info about an updated release date later today or early tomorrow, and we'll continue to keep people updated through our Twitter feed and Facebook page."

[Thanks, Will]

JoystiqHero Academy delayed on Steam, will launch as soon as possible originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-academypcrobot-entertainmentThu, 09 Aug 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! 2 review: Co-op and then some]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/31/orcs-must-die-2-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/31/orcs-must-die-2-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/31/orcs-must-die-2-review/#comments Orcs Must Die! 2 review Coop and then someSomehow, they're through. Despite my spike traps, acid sprayers and brimstone, a small contingent of the orc horde is now within hugs-n-kisses range. The blunderbuss shotgun smears some of the frontrunners, but their numbers are simply too great. With my life bar on its last pixel, an orc, axe raised high overhead, prepares for the final strike. Then my smarmy buddy steps in and blasts that sucker into oblivion, because this is Orcs Must Die! 2, and co-op is glorious.

Considering the unanimous cry for multiplayer in Orcs Must Die!, Robot Entertainment could have merely added the two-player co-op and a few minor additions, packaged it up, slapped a "2" on the end, and tossed a relative regurgitation to the hungry mob - especially given the small 10-month gap between games. But to the developer's great credit, Orcs Must Die! 2 is more than that. While the changes and additions fall short of revolutionary, nearly everything - save for the meager, repetitive soundtrack - has been enjoyably enhanced and/or refined to the level of sufficient sequel justification.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die 2 (7/6/12)

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! 2 review: Co-op and then some

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! 2 review: Co-op and then some originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-die-2pcrobot-entertainmentTue, 31 Jul 2012 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die for $2.50 on Steam this weekend, 10 percent off Orcs 2 pre-order]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/orcs-must-die-for-2-50-on-steam-this-weekend-10-percent-off-or/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/orcs-must-die-for-2-50-on-steam-this-weekend-10-percent-off-or/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/orcs-must-die-for-2-50-on-steam-this-weekend-10-percent-off-or/#comments If your hatred of (and resulting need to kill) orcs has historically been outweighed by your commendably responsible fiscal nature in these trying economic times, you may not yet have acquired Robot Entertainment's Orcs Must Die!. You hate orcs, sure, but those $10 could be spent on something practical, like gas.

This weekend though, Orcs Must Die! is only $2.50 over on Steam, and when a video game costs less than a gallon of fuel, all financial guilt associated with its purchase is essentially eradicated. Similarly, Orcs Must Die 2 has had 10 percent brutally chopped off its pre-order price -- think of it as an investment in a sustainable future-hatred of orcs. Investing is what grown-ups do.

JoystiqOrcs Must Die for $2.50 on Steam this weekend, 10 percent off Orcs 2 pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-dieorcs-must-die-2pcrobot-entertainmentsteamThu, 26 Jul 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hero Academy's Team Fortress 2 team sounds pretty powerful]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/hero-academys-team-fortress-2-team-sounds-pretty-powerful/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/hero-academys-team-fortress-2-team-sounds-pretty-powerful/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/hero-academys-team-fortress-2-team-sounds-pretty-powerful/#comments Hero Academy's Team Fortress 2 team sounds pretty powerfulAfter announcing that Hero Academy would soon be making its way to Steam, developer Robot Entertainment has now revealed details surrounding the PC version's special Team Fortress 2 team. One thing Hero Academy players will notice right away is that there are a lot of different units. The Team Fortress 2 team has a whopping 9 units, as compared to every other team's 5.

All the Team Fortress 2 classes are represented, each with different special abilities. The Spy, for example, is a cloaked unit that can't be targeted at range. Meanwhile the Engineer can upgrade other units' weapons, the Demoman lobs area-of-effect grenades and the Sniper can target any unit in the same row. As if all that weren't enough, the team's bonus allows them to gain an extra action point every time they stomp an enemy unit (remove it from the board).

Honestly, it sounds like the team will be pretty powerful, although, in fairness, Robot hasn't announced how many of each unit will be available and the team description makes no mention of consumable items.

In other news, the PC version of Hero Academy will include a map based on "Well" from Team Fortress 2. Oh, and of course purchasing other heroic teams will unlock cosmetic items in Team Fortress 2. See some new screens in the gallery below and check out the full team description after the break.

Gallery: Hero Academy (Team Fortress 2 Heroic Team)

Continue reading Hero Academy's Team Fortress 2 team sounds pretty powerful

JoystiqHero Academy's Team Fortress 2 team sounds pretty powerful originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-academypcrobot-entertainmentsteamTeam-Fortress-2Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Empires creator starts another studio, this time for mobile]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/age-of-empires-creator-starts-another-studio-this-time-for-mobi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/age-of-empires-creator-starts-another-studio-this-time-for-mobi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/age-of-empires-creator-starts-another-studio-this-time-for-mobi/#comments Age of Empires creator starts another studio, this time for mobileTony Goodman, creator of Age of Empires and founder of Ensemble Studios, has started a new studio focused on mobile and "other emerging platforms," named PeopleFun. We assume that's opposed to those other types of fun, "BearFun" and "HamburgerFun." Goodman previously founded Orcs Must Die and Hero Academy developer Robot Entertainment.

PeopleFun is based in the Dallas area and includes the talents of Angelo Laudon, lead programmer on the Age of Empires engine, and John Boog-Scott, co-founder with Goodman of Ensemble Corporation and Studios. PeopleFun's first title is almost ready for beta and "is a departure from the games we made at Ensemble and Robot in terms of scope and genre," Goodman says.

Continue reading Age of Empires creator starts another studio, this time for mobile

JoystiqAge of Empires creator starts another studio, this time for mobile originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ensemble-Studiosmobilepeoplefunrobot-entertainmentstudiotony-goodmanWed, 18 Jul 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die 2 unlocks free co-op 'Classic mode' for owners of first game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/orcs-must-die-2-unlocks-free-co-op-classic-mode-for-owners-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/orcs-must-die-2-unlocks-free-co-op-classic-mode-for-owners-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/orcs-must-die-2-unlocks-free-co-op-classic-mode-for-owners-of/#comments We've known Robot Entertainment planned to offer goodies in Orcs Must Die 2 to those who purchased the original on Steam, and today the developer revealed specifics on those incentives. A special Classic mode will be available to those people, featuring ten levels from the original game available for single or co-op play in the sequel.

Classic mode will be instantly unlocked in Orcs Must Die 2 for all owners of Orcs Must Die on Steam. The original games is available at a reduced price on Steam right now, though we'd be remiss if we didn't remind you of Orcs Must Die 2's July 30 launch date lurking around the corner.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die 2 (Classic Mode)

Continue reading Orcs Must Die 2 unlocks free co-op 'Classic mode' for owners of first game

JoystiqOrcs Must Die 2 unlocks free co-op 'Classic mode' for owners of first game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opco-op-classic-modeorcs-must-die-2pcrobot-entertainmentsteamFri, 13 Jul 2012 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hero Academy coming to Steam this August]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/29/hero-academy-coming-to-steam-this-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/29/hero-academy-coming-to-steam-this-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/29/hero-academy-coming-to-steam-this-august/#comments Hero Academy coming to Steam this August
I've had a great run here at Joystiq. It's been a wonderful six years but, this morning, Senior Reporter Ben Gilbert informed me that Hero Academy will soon be coming to Steam. It will feature a special Team Fortress 2 team of heroes, will be cross-platform compatible with the iOS version and all purchased teams will work across both versions.

Hero Academy will come to Steam on August 9, which means I have about 40 days of productivity left. I can't promise I will write another word after that. Sorry.

Continue reading Hero Academy coming to Steam this August

JoystiqHero Academy coming to Steam this August originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-academyiosipadiphonemobilepcrobot-entertainmentsteamFri, 29 Jun 2012 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! 2 starts stacking bodies on July 30]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/orcs-must-die-2-starts-stacking-bodies-on-july-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/orcs-must-die-2-starts-stacking-bodies-on-july-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/orcs-must-die-2-starts-stacking-bodies-on-july-30/#comments Robot Entertainment's semi-genocidal sequel, Orcs Must Die! 2, will launch on July 30, a blog post on Robot Entertainment's site reads.

The anticipated follow-up to last year's tower defense success adds a full co-op campaign and plenty of more unlockables into the Spellbook. And if you played the previous game on the PC, purchasing the sequel will net you exclusive in-game content.

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! 2 starts stacking bodies on July 30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-die-2pcrelease-daterobot-entertainmentsteamWed, 20 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Turn the pages of Orcs Must Die! 2's new Spellbook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/turn-the-pages-of-orcs-must-die-2s-new-spellbook/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/turn-the-pages-of-orcs-must-die-2s-new-spellbook/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/turn-the-pages-of-orcs-must-die-2s-new-spellbook/#comments Orcs Must Die! 2 builds upon the excellent foundation of its predecessor with multiplayer - our first taste was pretty pleasant. As revealed exclusively to Joystiq today, it also adds an expanded Spellbook. The Spellbook itself is now divided into five different subsections: My Gear, Traps, Weapons, Trinkets and Vanity.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die! 2 (Spellbook)

Continue reading Turn the pages of Orcs Must Die! 2's new Spellbook

JoystiqTurn the pages of Orcs Must Die! 2's new Spellbook originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-die-2pcrobot-entertainmentspellbookTue, 29 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blatant Hero Academy rip-off on App Store is the laziest yet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/blatant-hero-academy-rip-off-on-app-store-is-the-laziest-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/blatant-hero-academy-rip-off-on-app-store-is-the-laziest-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/blatant-hero-academy-rip-off-on-app-store-is-the-laziest-yet/#comments ImageIt's astoundingly easy to make an app and have it published on the App Store, a fact that has helped the dreams of many developers blossom into reality and is largely regarded as A Good Thing. However, as previous, blatantly plagiarized apps have proven, some people will take A Good Thing and use it to make a quick, dirty buck.

The latest scam may be the laziest yet: "Knights Fight" has stolen the screenshots, icon and dignity of Hero Academy, and is selling it for $0.99 on the App Store. Hero Academy itself is an intricate, free title from established indie developer Robot Entertainment, while "Knights Fight" is from Idea House, which exists only as a stark website and is apparently based in suburbia, Wisconsin. At least Idea House got the second half of its name correct.

Robot Entertainment told Game Informer it is aware of the fake title and is waiting on a response from Apple, who we assume is too busy counting its money to respond right away, or to thoroughly check the apps it puts in its store.

JoystiqBlatant Hero Academy rip-off on App Store is the laziest yet originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storehero-academyIdea-HouseiosipadiphoneKnights-Fightmacmobileplagiarismrobot-entertainmentstolenThu, 26 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Making a new friend in Orcs Must Die! 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/making-a-new-friend-in-orcs-must-die-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/making-a-new-friend-in-orcs-must-die-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/making-a-new-friend-in-orcs-must-die-2/#comments When we were picking our Best of the Rest games for 2011, I commented that all I wanted in an Orcs Must Die! sequel was multiplayer. It was at the top of everyone's request list, and Orcs Must Die! 2 delivers.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die 2

Continue reading Making a new friend in Orcs Must Die! 2

JoystiqMaking a new friend in Orcs Must Die! 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-die-2pax-east-2012pcrobot-entertainmentSat, 07 Apr 2012 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Robot Entertainment has one unannounced title in development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/robot-entertainment-has-one-unannounced-title-in-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/robot-entertainment-has-one-unannounced-title-in-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/robot-entertainment-has-one-unannounced-title-in-development/#comments ImageRobot Entertainment is not a large studio. With only 50 people to toil away on Hero Academy updates and to help get Orcs Must Die! 2 out the door this summer, there's not much manpower to spare.

Still, the studio has something else up its sleeve, design director Ian Fischer revealed to Joystiq here at PAX East. Fischer wouldn't give us much beyond the existence of an unannounced title, though he did say it will be "unlike anything we've ever done before."

JoystiqRobot Entertainment has one unannounced title in development originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-die-2pax-east-2012robot-entertainmentFri, 06 Apr 2012 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! 2 announced with co-op, playable at PAX East]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/orcs-must-die-2-announced-with-co-op-playable-at-pax-east/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/orcs-must-die-2-announced-with-co-op-playable-at-pax-east/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/orcs-must-die-2-announced-with-co-op-playable-at-pax-east/#comments
Robot Entertainment's Orcs Must Die! 2 was announced this morning, with the sequel adding the feature that was painfully absent from the original: cooperative gameplay. The sequel, which will be playable at this weekend's PAX East, welcomes the return of the doofy War Mage and adds the Sorceress, "who keeps enemies at bay with mind-control and magic."

"Only 3.4 billion orcs have been slaughtered to date," Robot Entertainment CEO Patrick Hudson declared this morning. "The only way we will get to a respectable orc death toll is by adding another killing machine and cooperative play. Bring a friend and destroy the orcs!"

The sequel adds a whole new campaign, more enemies, additional defenses and a new upgrade system. We look forward to hearing the call of orc slaughter and reporting back on our experience this weekend.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die 2

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! 2 announced with co-op, playable at PAX East

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! 2 announced with co-op, playable at PAX East originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-die-2pax-east-2012pcrobot-entertainmentMon, 02 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hero Academy update adds Tribe team, optimizes app for iPad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/hero-academy-update-adds-tribe-team-optimizes-app-for-ipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/hero-academy-update-adds-tribe-team-optimizes-app-for-ipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/hero-academy-update-adds-tribe-team-optimizes-app-for-ipad/#comments Sick and tired of the lack of variety in your team selection when playing Hero Academy? You've got three teams: the Council, the Dark Elves and the Dwarves. Three is plenty, right? Not for Robot Entertainment -- a new team known as the Tribe is coming soon.

On top of the new team, Robot Entertainment is also adding a new battlefield, free to all players, and iPad support that optimizes the universal app with high-res graphics and more screen space specifically designed for iPad. For a breakdown of the new content, march on past the break.

Continue reading Hero Academy update adds Tribe team, optimizes app for iPad

JoystiqHero Academy update adds Tribe team, optimizes app for iPad originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-academyiosipadiphonemobilerobot-entertainmenttribetribe-teamFri, 30 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam has midweek madness in the beginning of the week, sales abound]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/steam-has-midweek-madness-in-the-beginning-of-the-week-sales-ab/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/steam-has-midweek-madness-in-the-beginning-of-the-week-sales-ab/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/steam-has-midweek-madness-in-the-beginning-of-the-week-sales-ab/#comments Steam's midweek madness sale has Orcs Must Die! and a bunch of L.A. Noire goodies on sale through March 15. Orcs Must Die! is 75 percent off, for $3.75. L.A. Noire, L.A. Noire Complete Edition and the Brady Guide are all half off: Snag the standard title for $15, Complete Edition for $20 and the Brady Guide for $10. The Complete Edition and Brady Guide combo is also 50 percent off, for $25.

If that's not enough, today's Daily Deal is Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box, on sale for 75 percent off, or $5.

JoystiqSteam has midweek madness in the beginning of the week, sales abound originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Burnout-paradise-the-ultimate-boxdaily-dealLA-Noiremidweek-madnessorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentRockStarTue, 13 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hero Academy available now on iOS, free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/hero-academy-available-now-on-ios-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/hero-academy-available-now-on-ios-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/hero-academy-available-now-on-ios-free/#comments Robot Entertainment, developers of the polished tower defense action game Orcs Must Die, launched Hero Academy today for iOS. The strategy game is "free," but if you enjoy the experience at all, you'll find yourself paying the $1 to make the intrusive ads popping up after every turn go away. There are also more heroic teams, avatars, uniforms and taunts to buy at $1+ apiece.

The strategy title features asynchronous play, allowing you to keep up with several matches against friends or strangers while on the go. Robot clearly has plans to expand on this property, its first foray into the mobile market, with more teams and a la carte items.

Gallery: Hero Academy (iOS)

Continue reading Hero Academy available now on iOS, free

JoystiqHero Academy available now on iOS, free originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-academyiosipadiphonemobilerobot-entertainmentWed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Dave's picks of 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/best-of-the-rest-daves-picks-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/best-of-the-rest-daves-picks-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/best-of-the-rest-daves-picks-of-2011/#comments Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
This masterpiece is 98 percent of the reason I bought an iPad. Okay, maybe not quite -- it's more like 99 percent -- but Sword & Sworcery is a puzzle so perfect in its assembly, I haven't fully recovered. I'm sad I won't ever again experience the drive for discovery I felt the first time I was thrust into its picturesque locales. At the same time, I'm grateful I could spin that vinyl so long ago and step into another world.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Dave's picks of 2011

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Dave's picks of 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-revelationsbest-of-the-rest-2011bulletstormdouble-fineepic-gamesiosipadiphoneiron-brigademicrosoftmobileorcs-must-diepcpeople-can-flyplaystationps3robot-entertainmentsuperbrothers-sword-and-sworcery-eptrenchedubisoftxboxSun, 01 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die's 'Lost Adventures' DLC coming to XBLA in December]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/orcs-must-dies-lost-adventures-dlc-coming-to-xbla-in-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/orcs-must-dies-lost-adventures-dlc-coming-to-xbla-in-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/orcs-must-dies-lost-adventures-dlc-coming-to-xbla-in-december/#comments Have you already fulfilled the titular imperative delivered unto the player in Robot Entertainment's XBLA strategy-action title, Orcs Must Die? The joke's on you: There are always more Orcs. This time, they come in the form of the "Lost Adventures" DLC pack -- an expansion which came to PC last month, and will bring its five new fortresses, two enemies and additional collectible skulls to the XBLA version of the game sometime in December.

Of course, the 400 Microsoft Points ($5) you drop on this bad boy will also net you a handful of new tools, like the energy-restoring Mana Well, the health-draining Vampiric Gauntlets and the Shock Zapper, which both shocks and zaps. We know, we always assumed those two were synonyms as well. We guess we'll have to see the thing in action before we understand the subtle differences.

Continue reading Orcs Must Die's 'Lost Adventures' DLC coming to XBLA in December

JoystiqOrcs Must Die's 'Lost Adventures' DLC coming to XBLA in December originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmicrosoftorcs-must-dierobot-entertainmentstrategytower-defensexblaxboxFri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cheap Portal 2, Orcs Must Die! in Steam's 'Autumn Sale']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/cheap-portal-2-orcs-must-die-in-steams-autumn-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/cheap-portal-2-orcs-must-die-in-steams-autumn-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/cheap-portal-2-orcs-must-die-in-steams-autumn-sale/#comments Starting today and continuing through November 27, Valve will offer daily discounts and deals on many, many titles in honor of the holiday. Such is the plight of the Steam user.

Kicking off the sale today are a myriad of games including recent releases Orcs Must Die!, Portal 2 and, uh, Duke Nukem Forever. There are even a few games under $4, and one is actually a bunch of games together: The Oddboxx. Yet another highlight is the Sam & Max Collection, a bundle of the first three seasons ending with the The Devil's Playhouse, for $12.49.

Valve will be switching up what's on sale every day, so ... be careful.

JoystiqCheap Portal 2, Orcs Must Die! in Steam's 'Autumn Sale' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesduke-nukem-forevergearboxgearbox-softwareorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentsteamvalveWed, 23 Nov 2011 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Robot: Orcs Must Die! on XBLA will get DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/robot-orcs-must-die-on-xbla-will-get-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/robot-orcs-must-die-on-xbla-will-get-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/robot-orcs-must-die-on-xbla-will-get-dlc/#comments Orc must download content We're sure PC players were disheartened to learn that Orcs Must Die! is officially done with downloadable content. Of course, we imagine the news was more of a shock to Xbox users, as the XBLA version of the game has yet to receive any DLC at all. Good news then, as Robot assures Xbox users that DLC is still on the way.

Speaking on the Robot forums - a few days prior to revelation that DLC was over, actually - community manager Justin Korthof stated that the company definitely has DLC planned for the XBLA version but isn't "quite ready to announce details yet." He added that players can probably guess the details if they use their "imagination." Presumably, the DLC planned for XBLA will match the two packs already released for PC.

JoystiqRobot: Orcs Must Die! on XBLA will get DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmicrosoftorcs-must-dierobotrobot-entertainmentxboxFri, 18 Nov 2011 12:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Robot Entertainment reveals iOS game, Hero Academy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/robot-entertainment-reveals-ios-game-hero-academy/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/robot-entertainment-reveals-ios-game-hero-academy/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/robot-entertainment-reveals-ios-game-hero-academy/#comments Orcs Must Die developer Robot Entertainment recently revealed to us the identity of its next opus: A two-player competitive iOS board game titled Hero Academy. It's a tactics game in which players move heroes across a staging area in an attempt to destroy their competitor's home base crystal before theirs, in turn, gets smashed. If that sounds a little too intense for your usual iOS gaming tastes, don't fret -- the action all takes place asynchronously.

Check out the screens below for a first look at the downloadable title, and keep an eye out for the debut trailer in the coming days!

Gallery: Hero Academy (iOS)

JoystiqRobot Entertainment reveals iOS game, Hero Academy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hero-academyiosipadiphonemobileorcs-must-dierobot-entertainmentThu, 17 Nov 2011 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die done with DLC, dev working on two new projects]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/orcs-must-die-done-with-dlc-dev-working-on-two-new-projects/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/orcs-must-die-done-with-dlc-dev-working-on-two-new-projects/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/orcs-must-die-done-with-dlc-dev-working-on-two-new-projects/#comments The latest episode of the Rocket Jump podcast contains more than its usual banter between the hosts. Special guest Justin Korthof, Community Manager at Robot Entertainment, drops by to talk about the studio's recent release, Orcs Must Die. In the discussion, he confirms that there isn't any more DLC planned for the game. Apparently Robot set out to offer two different DLC packs and that's it. Bummer.

But that doesn't mean the studio is kicking back in Hawaii, counting the coin made off the genocide of the orc race. Korthof also explains that the studio is working on two new titles but, obviously, he doesn't explain what those are. That's fine by us, because we need more time to get five skulls on every Orcs Must Die map anyway.

You can find the pertinent info right around the 34-minute mark of the episode; DLC discussion takes place around 44 minutes in.

JoystiqOrcs Must Die done with DLC, dev working on two new projects originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcjustin-korthofmicrosoftorcs-must-diepcplaystationps3robot-entertainmentxboxMon, 14 Nov 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die's 'Lost Adventures' DLC comes to PC on November 8]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/orcs-must-dies-lost-adventures-dlc-comes-to-pc-on-november-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/orcs-must-dies-lost-adventures-dlc-comes-to-pc-on-november-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/orcs-must-dies-lost-adventures-dlc-comes-to-pc-on-november-8/#comments
While we can all agree killing orcs is a good thing, after a while it can get a bit monotonous. No one knows this better than Robot Entertainment, creators of orc-killing sim, Orcs Must Die, who has just announced a new DLC pack for the PC version, entitled "Lost Adventures."

On November 8, $2.99 will net you five new killing grounds to populate with orc corpses, two new enemy types and the Mana Well, an emplacement you can put anywhere that will give you a "burst of magical energy at just the right moment." Great, now the guy who cleans up the orc corpses has to clean up bursts of excess magical energy too? Give the guy a break already!

Continue reading Orcs Must Die's 'Lost Adventures' DLC comes to PC on November 8

JoystiqOrcs Must Die's 'Lost Adventures' DLC comes to PC on November 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlclost-adventuresorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentsteamSat, 05 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! more than ever with the first DLC pack, The Artifacts of Power]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/orcs-must-die-more-than-ever-with-the-first-dlc-pack-the-artif/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/orcs-must-die-more-than-ever-with-the-first-dlc-pack-the-artif/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/orcs-must-die-more-than-ever-with-the-first-dlc-pack-the-artif/#comments It's time for the orcs to die deader than they've ever died before with the help of the first DLC pack for Orcs Must Die! (See? Told you.), The Artifacts of Power, due out Tuesday, Oct. 25 for $2.49 on Steam. The DLC includes two new weapons, two new traps and an item-upgrade upgrade, as listed by Robot Entertainment:

o. Vampiric Gauntlets: Armed with these grim gauntlets, you can drain the enemy's health while healing you at the same time. If you have a desperate need to use spells, you can also use the gauntlets to drain your health in exchange for mana.
o. Alchemist's Satchel: Toss a series of deadly acid bombs that explode on your command to melt flesh from the bones of multiple groups of orcs at once.
o. The Shock Zapper: Mount the Shock Zapper on the ceiling and zap fliers and ground units equally dead with this oversized pest remover.
o. Floor Scorcher: By the time they see the fire, it will be too late. Burn entire groups of complacent enemies with this pop-up flaming surprise.
o. New Trap Upgrades: You've got two new reasons to go back and earn those 5-skull ratings on War Mage and Nightmare levels. With the Artifacts of Power Pack, you can now spend skulls on new upgrades for Shock Zapper and Floor Scorcher.

The Artifacts of Power is the first of two DLC packs Robot has planned for Orcs Must Die!, so keep on killin', Mages.

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! more than ever with the first DLC pack, The Artifacts of Power

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! more than ever with the first DLC pack, The Artifacts of Power originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentThe-Artifacts-of-PowerSun, 23 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! springs a trap on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/orcs-must-die-springs-a-trap-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/orcs-must-die-springs-a-trap-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/orcs-must-die-springs-a-trap-on-steam/#comments The thing about Orcs is, as misunderstood as they possibly may be, they still gotta go. They must die. It's kinda like destiny.

And, as was foretold (give or take a day) by the great seers at Robot Entertainment, Orcs Must Die! is now available for download on Steam. PC gamers, you no longer have an excuse for not doing your duty and killing a whole lot of Orcs -- well, unless you can't afford the $14.99 cost of admission.

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! springs a trap on Steam

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! springs a trap on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentsteamvalveWed, 12 Oct 2011 01:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die review: Building a better Orc trap]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/orcs-must-die-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/orcs-must-die-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/orcs-must-die-review/#comments There truly are few things more satisfying in a video game than watching a plan of your own invention be executed with immaculate success. For all its bells, whistles and promised hordes of greenskinned invaders, the real meat of Orcs Must Die happens in the moments before your fortresses doors are kicked down. You're given as much time as you need to survey the area, choose your traps and weapons, and begin crafting piecemeal your survival strategy for the waves ahead.

There are far more layers than the game's straightforward, titular directive would suggest. Over the next few minutes, you don't just have to make all of the Orcs dead. You have to tend to that very first seed of strategy, growing it into an engine of impenetrable destruction.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die (5/4/11)

Continue reading Orcs Must Die review: Building a better Orc trap

JoystiqOrcs Must Die review: Building a better Orc trap originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentxblaxboxWed, 05 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! on Oct. 5 for XBLA, Oct. 12 for PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/orcs-must-die-on-oct-5-for-xbla-oct-12-for-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/orcs-must-die-on-oct-5-for-xbla-oct-12-for-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/orcs-must-die-on-oct-5-for-xbla-oct-12-for-pc/#comments Orcs Must Die! will unleash the horde on October 5 and 12 on Xbox Live Arcade and PC, respectively. Robot Entertainment's third-person tower defense game charges the player with defending their castle from wave after wave of Orcish invaders, using diabolical and silly traps.

Robot Entertainment has been showing off the game since early this year, so there's plenty of gameplay footage to check out. Most recently, the developer made a clever interactive trailer that gives the viewer a choice on what traps to place.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die! (E3 2011 - Gnoll Hunter)

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! on Oct. 5 for XBLA, Oct. 12 for PC

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! on Oct. 5 for XBLA, Oct. 12 for PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftorcs-must-dieplaystationps3release-daterobot-entertainmentxboxTue, 20 Sep 2011 08:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! in interactive trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/orcs-must-die-in-interactive-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/orcs-must-die-in-interactive-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/orcs-must-die-in-interactive-trailer/#comments
If you haven't had the chance to try Orcs Must Die! at a PAX this year, here's the closest you'll get before the game's October launch (or a demo). This interactive walkthrough trailer, with 30 possible combinations, lets the viewer choose traps and see the results.

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! in interactive trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentxblaxboxThu, 15 Sep 2011 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Empires Online review: Casual conquest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/age-of-empires-online-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/age-of-empires-online-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/age-of-empires-online-review/#comments In reading online discussions surrounding Age of Empires Online, you'd think that the developers had taken to traveling the country with the express intent of running over kittens.

Clearly, players have taken issue with this latest in the Ensemble-created historical strategy franchise, which layers the series' core formula beneath a highly stylized coat of paint and free-to-play business model. However, much of the mechanics that made Age of Empires a household name remain, though now alongside new features designed explicitly to both ease new players into the experience as well as capture the attention of the coveted MMO crowd.

Gallery: Age of Empires Online (5/31/11)

Continue reading Age of Empires Online review: Casual conquest

JoystiqAge of Empires Online review: Casual conquest originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-empiresAge-of-Empires-OnlineGas-Powered-Gamesmicrosoftpcrobot-entertainmentrtsstrategyTue, 16 Aug 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die players at PAX Prime get Cardboard Tube Samurai skin, comic book]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/orcs-must-die-players-at-pax-prime-get-cardboard-tube-samurai-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/orcs-must-die-players-at-pax-prime-get-cardboard-tube-samurai-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/orcs-must-die-players-at-pax-prime-get-cardboard-tube-samurai-s/#comments Cardboard Tube Samurai skins at PAX Prime for Orcs Must Die Robot Entertainment is not only bringing tower defense title Orcs Must Die to PAX Prime later on this week, but the company is providing a show special as well. At the booth in Seattle during the show, they'll be giving out special codes for the game's War Mage character, designed after Penny Arcade's own Cardboard Tube Samurai, to visitors who sign up for the company forums.

The first 200 people to play the game each day of the show will also pick up a prequel comic book from the company. The rest of us, at home, who can't play the game live on the floor of PAX? All we get is to wait until the game comes out later this year on XBLA and PC.

JoystiqOrcs Must Die players at PAX Prime get Cardboard Tube Samurai skin, comic book originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cardboard-tube-samuraifreegiveawaymicrosoftorcs-must-diepax-2011pax-prime-2011pcrobot-entertainmentskinxboxMon, 15 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! coming to PC and XBLA this summer, Comic-Con this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/orcs-must-die-coming-to-pc-and-xbla-this-summer-comic-con-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/orcs-must-die-coming-to-pc-and-xbla-this-summer-comic-con-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/orcs-must-die-coming-to-pc-and-xbla-this-summer-comic-con-this/#comments Robot Entertainment announced today that third-person tower defender Orcs Must Die! will be published by Microsoft Studios and available later this summer for PC and Xbox Live Arcade. The developer previously gave us a window of "late August or early September."

Orcs Must Die! will be playable this weekend at San Diego Comic-Con in the Xbox Lounge, located at the Hard Rock Hotel, and Robot Entertainment will have an OMD prequel comic book available at the show.

Not going to Comic-Con, but still want to get your hands on the transmedia companion fiction that is sure to deliver Great Gatsby nuance to the Orcs Must Die universe? Don't worry, the comic will be available in a digital format "later this summer, also at no charge."

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! coming to PC and XBLA this summer, Comic-Con this weekend

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! coming to PC and XBLA this summer, Comic-Con this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Comic-Con-2011microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-studiosorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentxboxMon, 18 Jul 2011 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Robot Entertainment planning to set a trap for Orcs Must Die! in July [Update: Actually, it's late August, early September]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/robot-entertainment-planning-to-set-a-trap-for-orcs-must-die-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/robot-entertainment-planning-to-set-a-trap-for-orcs-must-die-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/robot-entertainment-planning-to-set-a-trap-for-orcs-must-die-in/#comments While checking out Orcs Must Die! at E3 this week, we spoke with lead designer Ian Fischer and inquired about the game's planned launch window. The current plan is to launch on Steam and Xbox Live Arcade initially sometime this summer.

"It'll be launching on XBLA and Steam initially, then other platforms after that," he explained. "We haven't talked about price point yet, but we're looking to launch it sometime this summer -- July, at least, is what we're looking at right now."

Keep it locked for our preview, which should be live on the site here soon.

Update: Orcs Must Die!'s community coordinator, Duncan Stanley, emailed me to say that Ian was mistaken when he gave me the initial July window. The game will likely launch in late August or early September, he says.

JoystiqRobot Entertainment planning to set a trap for Orcs Must Die! in July [Update: Actually, it's late August, early September] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011microsoftorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentsteamxblaxboxSat, 11 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! preview: Pleasure in panic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/orcs-must-die-preview-pleasure-in-panic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/orcs-must-die-preview-pleasure-in-panic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/orcs-must-die-preview-pleasure-in-panic/#comments It's hard to define Orcs Must Die!. On paper, it's a marriage of the Tower Defense and the action-RPG genres -- but the influence of one doesn't trump the other; it doesn't feel dominated by either one of those two genres. Robot Entertainment has expertly blended the two genres together to create something new: a panic-infused experience where the player is constantly under duress.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die! (E3 2011 - Gnoll Hunter)

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! preview: Pleasure in panic

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! preview: Pleasure in panic originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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