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New Section 8 trailer drops in

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 4th 2009 at 7:00PM }

Okay, so the latest trailer for TimeGate's Section 8 certainly looks cool. What with the robo-solders dropping into battle from the sky, calling in tanks and giant mechs, and FPS action, we'll give it that. Our only question is this: Where's the heart?

What's that? You don't care about heart? You're more interested in all the action and nifty multiplayer features? Oh, well you should watch the trailer then.

Three games to light up your 4th

by Randy Nelson { Jul 3rd 2009 at 8:00PM }

The founding of a nation is pretty significant and well worth getting excited about. The best way to display said excitement is, of course, with massive, colorful airborne explosions, a.k.a. fireworks. Tomorrow night, towns across the USA will be putting on fireworks displays, big and small -- but why should you have to wait for it to get dark? The games you'll find after the break will let you get all explode-y from the comfort of your living room, without the charred mess and frantic 911 call. So, put on your favorite patriotic tune (it's "The Stars & Stripes Forever" for us) and make with the clicking!

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SouthPeak bringing Trine to PC, demo out now

by Randy Nelson { Jun 26th 2009 at 7:00AM }

The indie, fantasy action-platformer that is FrozenByte's Trine has already impressed us during hands-on time with it. Today, SouthPeak announced that it will be publishing a PC version of the game in the US so that non-console gamers can experience its unique blend of on-the-fly object creation -- both for puzzle-solving and attacks/defense -- and side-scrolling gameplay for themselves.

Supporting three-player co-op, the game is due to hit PC, PSN and XBLA (the latter via Atlus) in late summer. PC owners don't have to wait for a taste of the game, though, as the San Francisco Examiner turned us on to the fact that a demo is available now from BigDownload. If you want a better idea of the console version's gameplay ... plug in a 360 controller and BAM!

[Thanks, theineffablebob!]

Section 8 pre-order bonus revealed, GameStop exclusive

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 16th 2009 at 1:00AM }

SouthPeak has revealed a special Section 8 goody for those who pre-order the game from GameStop (and only at GameStop). Pre-order either the PC or Xbox 360 version of Section 8 and you'll get a special set of armor known as the Captain's Armor. The armor can be worn by either of the game's factions. Members of Section 8 will don the armor with a golden eagle on the shoulder, while members of the rebellious Arm of Orion will sport a helmet with a gold-trimmed lion.

Considering what some people are willing to go through for an in-game set of armor, we'd say pre-ordering is a pretty simple option. Check out shots of the armor in the gallery below.

Gallery: Section 8 Captain's Armor

Renegade Kid returning to the hospital in Dementium II

by Jason Dobson { Jun 3rd 2009 at 2:45PM }

Developer Renegade Kid apparently stumbled across some leftover brown paint, and is currently working up a sequel to Dementium: The Ward. The game is set to continue the story of the first game, which had players stumbling through the darkened grimy halls of an abandoned hospital trying to discover a way out. Or at least some morphine to dull the pain.

Notes Renegade Kid's Jools Watsham, "We were extremely satisfied with what we accomplished with the original Dementium, but knew we could do even more given the chance to develop a sequel." Little is known about the return trip into portable madness, though publisher SouthPeak promises even more hospital scares when Dementium II ships for the DS in the first part of 2010.

Sushi Go Round coming to DS and Wii

by Justin McElroy { May 27th 2009 at 1:00PM }

We have to admit, we're always a little bummed when we see free games coming to cartridges. Take Sushi Go Round, for instance. It's a tough time management game that's been downloaded more than 60 million times from Miniclip.com. Now, SouthPeak and Asylum are bringing the game to the Wii and DS, where, presumably, you'll have to buy them.

We don't begrudge anyone getting paid, and we know that this will bring the game to new audiences. But doesn't turning a free game into something you have to buy miss the point?

X-Blades demo now on X-Box Live

by Richard Mitchell { May 22nd 2009 at 1:45PM }

Major Nelson has announced that an X-Blades demo is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. If X-Blades managed to slip under your radar, we wouldn't blame you. All you really need to know is that the game features a scantily clad lady slicing and dicing bad guys with swords. Oh, the lady is attractive too. That's important. You can add the demo to your 360 download queue right here.

SouthPeak sees revenue surge on 'post-holiday demand'

by Jason Dobson { May 18th 2009 at 7:10PM }

Hey, SouthPeak, we're in a recession, didn't you hear? The publisher again pocketed an impressive wad of cash, reporting $13.5 million in revenue during its fiscal third quarter, up more than $2 million over the same time the previous year. According to Gamasutra, the company cited "post-holiday consumer demand" and recent releases like Big Bang Mini and X-Blades as key factors in the outfit's financial buoyancy.

With 711,000 units of software flying out the door during the quarter, it's no wonder the company is making plans for the future. The report notes that SouthPeak has more than 60 games in the works, with over $14 million currently invested in development of new titles and IP. Perhaps we can finally quit pointing and laughing as the publisher of Gamecock cast-offs Legendary and Velvet Assassin rolls up to the bank. Clearly some gamers' spirits are more resilient than others.

JoystiQuitter: Velvet Assassin

by Justin McElroy { May 4th 2009 at 1:58PM }

If there's one thing we hate about our new focus on reviewing games here at Club Joystiq, it's having to play games that we don't like very much. But then we realized: For every second we spend playing a game we hate/just don't want to play, that's another second we can't spend telling you about a good game, or putting hilarious captions on pictures of cats.

So, we'd like to humbly introduce Joystiquitter, where we tell you what we thought, why we stopped playing and just how long it took for the game to break our spirits.

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Southpeak bringing Sled Shred to Wii

by Justin McElroy { Apr 29th 2009 at 12:00PM }

Here's a perfect example of why there needs to be freer communication between the press and game publishers. This morning, Southpeak announced that it would be releasing Sled Shred on the Wii, a downhill racing game that takes advantage of the Wii Balance Board. More importantly, though, the release stated that players would race "with and against the world-renowned Jamaican Bobsled team."

Springing into action, we asked the most obvious, important questions: [1] Will Doug E. Doug appear in the game? [2] Will zombie John Candy appear in the game? [3] At any point, will someone say "Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, its bobsled time!"? Get this: We still haven't gotten a response from Southpeak. Guess we'll have to wait until Fall 2009 to find out for ourselves.

Pirates vs. Ninjas (vs. Mushroom Men) Dodgeball coming May 12

by JC Fletcher { Apr 17th 2009 at 11:00AM }

SouthPeak just announced a release date for the retail Wii version of its XBLA sports/fighting/party game, Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball. Obviously the game didn't make its winter release, but finally, on May 12, Wii owners will be able to pit internet memes against each other, in order to determine, once and for all, who can take a hit to the face better. With the Wii version, naturally, you'll be able to use motion control to deliver those hits to faces.

According to the game's official site, the Wii version allows you to pick between the following teams: Pirates, Ninjas (of course!), Zombies, Robots, Aliens, Monsters ... and Mushroom Men. We missed those guys!

Gallery: Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball

Velvet Assassin coming April 28, Achievements revealed

by Justin McElroy { Apr 13th 2009 at 12:15PM }

We don't understand the types who want to dig through achievement lists before a game's even out. Though they're occasionally enlightening, they're far more often spoilery, dull or just plain confusing. This list of Velvet Assassin achievements is no exception.

So, why are we taking up your precious bytes with this article? Well, the achievement list from 360sync also includes the official release date for the game: April 28. So, you know ... plan accordingly.

Gallery: Velvet Assassin

TimeGate sues Paramount for using Section 8 name

by Justin McElroy { Apr 8th 2009 at 10:25AM }

We know that legal squabbles can be a little dry, but a new conflict between Section 8 creator TimeGate and Paramount at least has an interesting story behind it to spice things up. According to a suit recently filed by TimeGate, the two companies met several times to discuss business opportunities related to the game. But after said meetings, Paramount allegedly cut off contact with TimeGate and, three days later, announced a new interactive project entitled "Section 8."

We asked TimeGate for further comment, a request which its lawyers advised it to decline. It's a shame, too, because we had a great suggestion for their next legal battle.

Dementium: The Ward releasing in April ... in poor, forgotten Europe

by Jason Dobson { Mar 27th 2009 at 12:00PM }

At last, forgotten souls in Europe will be able to wander Dementium: The Ward's grainy, dimly lit halls. After scaring up modest reviews in the US and sending Japanese hospitals screaming, Southpeak announced that it will publish Renegade Kid's spook-tastic freshman effort in Europe on April 17.

The Nintendo DS survival horror title was first released in the US in 2007, and casts players in the role of an amnesiac stuck in a grimy hospital full of puzzles and the occasional not-so-friendly monster. Finally, survival horror fans in Europe will have something to keep them busy on the commuter train besides the latest Jamie Oliver, though honestly both are probably just as frightening.

GDC09: Hands-on with sci-fi shooter Section 8

by Justin McElroy { Mar 26th 2009 at 6:56PM }

Getting killed isn't really a treat in any multiplayer experience. Sure, it gives you a little time to hastily make a sandwich, but that's not really why you're playing the game in the first place, is it? Developer TimeGate (you know, the one behind the F.E.A.R. expansions) has figured out a clever way to circumvent that in its FPS Section 8. After death, you literally dive back onto the battlefield from 15,000 feet in a location of your choice and woe to anything or anyone that's in the way.

It's a clever way to make even death enjoyable, and it's just one of the smart tweaks TimeGate has made to the eternal battle between gun-toting guys in space armor and -- well, other gun-toting guys in space armor.