Joystiq

Spelunky dares to explore PS3 and Vita this summer

JC Fletcher — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:23:00 EST

Spelunky, Mossmouth's diabolically random subterranean platformer/shopkeeper revenge fantasy, is moving from its XBLA home to PS3 and Vita this summer, with "new exclusive features," Sony announced today, also confirming plans to release Limbo on Vita. Developer Derek Yu told Polygon that the port would be developed by an external studio.

Spelunky was originally released as a freeware PC game, before being made into a dramatically upgraded XBLA game and a series of excellent toys.

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Spelunky dares to explore PS3 and Vita this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spelunky DLC adds 8 new characters, 24 multiplayer arenas for them to die in

JC Fletcher — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST

You thought you knew what today's most exciting news was. You were wrong. Mossmouth has quietly sneaked two items of downloadable Spelunky content onto the Xbox Live Marketplace. The 160-point "Explorers DLC" gives you eight more characters to choose from, including the Eskimo, Viking, Round Girl, Round Boy, Cyclops, Ninja, and the Golden Monk.

The "Arenas DLC" adds 24 new multiplayer deathmatch arenas. "These chaotic death traps offer up all kinds of devious ways to kill or be killed, from sacrificial altars to perilous bee hives," reads the XBLM description. "Will anyone survive?" It'll also set you back 160 points ($2).

And no, no one will survive.

Spelunky DLC adds 8 new characters, 24 multiplayer arenas for them to die in originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chunky Spelunky update eliminates unintended ordeals

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST

A new title update for Spelunky on Xbox Live Arcade aims to eradicate the ignominious, agonizing fates caused by errant programming. This brings the brutal cave exploration game more in line with designer Derek Yu's vision, which is basically a die-o-rama of ignominious, agonizing fates caused by deliberate game design.

Spelunky should be more stable once the update is applied and cease its crashing ways when you exit a level with a too-high timer, or when you get crushed during the tutorial. It's also been granted the iron constitution to properly handle the sight of you being "eaten by a worm and killed by a ghost at the same time."

You'll also be delighted to hear that choosing "Ending Adventure" in the middle of an exit will no longer cause bags to pour out of you, it says here.

Chunky Spelunky update eliminates unintended ordeals originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Delving into the differences between Spelunker and Spelunky

JC Fletcher — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:30:00 EST

Welcome to Living in the Past, a weekly column about what's new in old games. Now get off our lawn.

I'm a fan of the genre of game that I can best encapsulate as "people dying in caves." For whatever reason, there's a subset of sidescrolling platformers that puts players in the role of an archaeologist or other explorer, navigating subterranean tunnels full of deadly creatures, traps of unknown origin, and always, always spikes.

Examples of this genre include Cave Story, La-Mulana, and Aban Hawkins & The 1000/1001 Spikes, all published (or almost published) by cave game fans at Nicalis. Other examples include the two games I want to talk about, which share a lot of DNA but diverge in interesting ways: Mossmouth's brilliant Spelunky, and one of the progenitors of the genre, Spelunker (and its modern-ish sequel Spelunker HD). Spelunker was first released way back in 1983 as an Atari computer game; it later found success and infamy in arcades and on the NES.

Mossmouth's XBLA game has been a critical success since its release in July, and was beloved as a freeware PC game before that. Conversely, most people don't have anything nice to say about Spelunker, and I think my appreciation of the PS3 sequel puts me in a fairly elite club. However, that club most assuredly includes Spelunky creator Derek Yu.

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Delving into the differences between Spelunker and Spelunky originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It wouldn't kill you to explore the Spelunky soundtrack

JC Fletcher — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST

Unlike every other form of interaction with Spelunky, listening to the breezy soundtrack probably won't result in dozens of painful deaths. Composer Eirik Suhrke's Spelunky compositions are now available as a "pay what you want" download, provided you want to pay at least $7.

In addition to everything you've heard in the game (and stuff you haven't because you can't make it that far), the soundtrack includes 15 previously unheard tracks. "They consist of drafts, alternate versions, cut tracks and new arrangements of music from the game." We apologize in advance if listening to this music does somehow cause you harm.

It wouldn't kill you to explore the Spelunky soundtrack originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original version of Spelunky now playable in your browser

JC Fletcher — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST

Before it was a frustrating XBLA game, Spelunky was a frustrating freeware PC game. And now it's a quietly, addictively frustrating browser game. Using a new version of the Game Maker software in which Derek Yu coded the original game, developer Darius Kazemi ported Spelunky into HTML5, allowing us to link to a playable version right here.

The port isn't perfect - current issues include a lack of dark levels, the removal of any (random) level that starts on the right side, and ... no sound. But on the upside, it's Spelunky in your browser, for free.

Original version of Spelunky now playable in your browser originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spelunky review: Obtainer of rare antiquities, giver of aneurysms

Xav de Matos — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST

Spelunky, an Xbox Live Arcade revamp of a free PC indie game, straddles the line between insurmountable addiction and a precise extractor of self-hatred. Like other rare indie gems, such as Metanet's N series, Spelunky is equal parts diabolical and ingenious.

The concept is simple: explore worlds filled with treacherous obstacles while collecting treasures and attempting to survive. You start the game with a standard whip along with a few climbing ropes and bombs, which are used to carve out a path to the level's exit. Each randomly generated level is filled with traps, enemies, and environmental disasters awaiting your unnamed adventurer. Survival may be the primary goal, but Spelunky's secondary objective is to make players regret the follies of poor split-second decisions.

It's the kind of experience you hate yourself for loving, but love it you shall.

Gallery: Spelunky (XBLA)

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Spelunky review: Obtainer of rare antiquities, giver of aneurysms originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spelunky descends into XBLA July 4 [update: trailer!]

JC Fletcher — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 10:45:00 EST

It may not be the Summer of Arcade until mid-July, but it's going to be a good summer for XBLA even before then. In a list of upcoming Xbox Live content, Microsoft announced that Derek Yu's long-awaited Spelunky will be out July 4, for 1200 Microsoft Points (alongside Bellator MMA Onslaught).

Other upcoming Xbox content of note includes, of course, expansions to Skyrim and Mass Effect 3, along with Battlefield 3: Close Quarters, all out today. Later this week, XBLA will host Jeremy McGrath Offroad Racing and Mini Ninjas Adventures.

As for deals, this week (through July 2) offers a random grab bag of multiplayer-focused XBLA games at various discounts, including Trine 2, Gotham City Impostors, Worms 2 Armageddon, and a heavily discounted (75% off) Nexuiz.

Spelunky descends into XBLA July 4 [update: trailer!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IGF finalists Smash a Frozen Fez To the Moon (from a cave)

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST

The 14th annual Independent Game Festival finalists have been announced, and this year's finalists are indie-licious (yum). Titles include pop-indie hits Fez, Frozen Synapse, Spelunky and Atom Zombie Smasher, as well as some of our own understated favorites, such as Freebird Games' To the Moon.

The winner of the Seumas McNally Grand Prize receives $30,000, the winner of the Nuovo Award for "abstract, shortform and unconventional game development" gets $5,000, and all other category winners receive $3,000. The awards will take place March 7 at GDC. Check out the entire list of finalists right here:

Continue reading IGF finalists Smash a Frozen Fez To the Moon (from a cave)

IGF finalists Smash a Frozen Fez To the Moon (from a cave) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A fresh batch of XBLA titles rated around the world

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

You go to a fortune teller and ask what will happen in 2012, expecting her to repeat rejected phrases from the Panda Express fortune-cookie line in a wistful, croaking manner. Instead, she busts out this ratings list for coming XBLA titles and you tip her 200 percent, leaving with your mind blown and open to a whole new world of mental planes and spiritual awareness. Little did you know: that fortune teller was Jordan Mallory in a dress. Try excising that image with incense.

A batch of freshly rated XBLA games from around the world include titles we knew about, such as I Am Alive (MA 15+ for Australia) and Spelunky (PEGI 7 for UK), and also some unknown games, including Wreckateer, a submission from Microsoft rated for Korea. The list is provided by XBLA Fans, and can be found right here.

A fresh batch of XBLA titles rated around the world originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Indie XBLA game Spelunky begets indie 'Spelunky Minis' toy line

JC Fletcher — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:59:00 EST

At some point in the future, you'll be able to lay out your own randomly generated Spelunky adventures on your desk -- or just stare at some adorable round noses. Developer Derek Yu worked with his father to produce a line of "Spelunky Minis" toys, based on the characters in the upcoming XBLA remake of the PC platformer.

The toys will be blind-boxed, and offered for sale "pretty soon." There's no word whether a full set will be offered for sale instead of having to randomly collect them, but ... there had better be. And if you're concerned about the effect this has had on the currently unknown release date of the game, Yu said " don't worry, we're still working hard on the game - all day, every day! But this was a nice side project."

Indie XBLA game Spelunky begets indie 'Spelunky Minis' toy line originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spelunky XBLA trailer digs a hole directly to our hearts

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:10:00 EST

Finally! Derek Yu's critically acclaimed sidescrolling action game, Spelunky, has been given a gameplay trailer. Beyond the thrilling gameplay is a somewhat expected, beefy cameo at the end -- head past the break and enjoy it with us!

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Spelunky XBLA trailer digs a hole directly to our hearts originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spelunky on XBLA will have four player local multiplayer (update: we've got an image!)

David Hinkle — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST

Roguelike fans need not spend their time in dank, dark dungeons all by their lonesome. During a panel here at GDC 2011, Andy Hull confirmed a multiplayer component is in the works for the Xbox Live Arcade game, Spelunky.

"We'll have more information about the multiplayer modes closer to release," he said, revealing a lone screenshot to attendees showing four different spelunkers on the screen at once. Sadly, the shot was up only briefly, so we were unable to snap a photo. We've contacted Andy Hull and the game's creator, Derek Yu, and will update accordingly when we hear back.

Update: We've got a thrilling four-player co-op screen for you just past the break.

Gallery: Spelunky (XBLA)

Continue reading Spelunky on XBLA will have four player local multiplayer (update: we've got an image!)

Spelunky on XBLA will have four player local multiplayer (update: we've got an image!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spelunky surfaces in new screenshots

JC Fletcher — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 01:45:00 EST

The XBLA version of Derek Yu's subterranean, sidescrolling roguelike Spelunky is looking pretty nice in these new screenshots. Not only is the resolution (and thus, the detail) higher than the PC original, but there are new lighting effects, explosions, and adorable red noses to look at. "I really want Spelunky to be as fun to look at as it it to play," Yu said, "and to that end, we've added lots of little details to the backgrounds to try and make each part of the game feel even more distinct.

Spelunky was originally announced with a 2010 release date. "The game is coming along splendidly," Yu told Joystiq when we checked in, "but it's possible we may slip into 2011. We really want to make sure the game is awesome."

Gallery: Spelunky (XBLA)

Spelunky surfaces in new screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spelunky explores XBLA in 2010

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:45:00 EST

PC indie title Spelunky is ready to explore the dark, cavernous recesses of your console when it makes its way to Xbox Live Arcade in 2010. Developer Derek Yu says he'll be "stuffing [the XBLA version] with new graphics, audio and other features for XBLA users." He's not sure if he'll update the original PC version of Spelunky, as he believes it "doesn't need replacing," but he'll continue supporting it as a free title.

If you're curious about Spelunky, you can always download the original for PC from the game's website. If playing video games isn't "your thing" and you're still curious, check out the many, many YouTube videos on the game. Also, why ... are you reading this website?

Spelunky explores XBLA in 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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