Joystiq

The Best of Big Download: August 11-17

Joystiq Staff — 2008-08-17T18:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Mac, PC, Meta (about Joystiq)

We have had a busy week at the PC centric Big Download site. As we approach two big gaming events (next week's Games Convention and Labor Day weekend's Penny Arcade Expo) we should have even more to write about in the coming days. In the meantime let's look back at the week that was:

Exclusive Features

Reviews: We review a number of games this week including Space Siege, the latest American McGee's Grimm episode and the first chapter of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People.
Big Ideas: Our latest look at game themes takes a look at gender roles in games.
Freeware Friday: This week our free game is the strategy title Battle for Wesnoth.
BigCast: It's our seventh edition of the Big Download podcast.

Downloads

Unreal Tournament 3 patch: Grab the 1.3 patch for Epic Games' latest shooter title.
Strong Bad Episode 1 demo: Check out the free portion of Telltale Games' latest episodic title
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Xi demo: Try out a portion of Koei's PC port of their strategy game
Star Trek Online trailer: Check out the first gameplay trailer from Cryptic Studios' MMO
Empire: Total War trailer: Check out some naval battle action from the upcoming historical RTS game.
Aion trailer: Check out this trailer for NCsoft's upcoming MMO

News

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Metareview - Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People (Wii, PC)

Justin McElroy — 2008-08-14T08:45:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Nintendo Wii

We, like many of you, we'd imagine, have been spending some time this week with Strong Bad's first WiiWare/PC adventure. On the whole, we've been really impressed by how well it captures the world of its cartoon source material (it's actually funny!) though we far too frequently find ourselves with no idea of what to do next. But what matters our opinion? Let's consult the internet hive mind for a giant slice of their style.

IGN (81/100): "Like most games in this genre, some of the solutions can be a bit esoteric. But that comes with the territory, and a little trial and error will get you past any obstacles."
Giant Bomb (60/100): "Based on the just-past-their-prime animated shorts found on Homestarrunner.net (it's dot com!), Strong Bad seems to demand a little more familiarity with the source material than Telltale's Sam & Max series did. As someone who went through a serious Strong Bad phase, I've found the initial experience to be amusing at best, and mildly pleasant at worst."
Gamervision (70/100): "I had faith, because Telltale has yet to let me down, but I was definitely skeptical about the game. Now, having played through the first episode, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner, I am happy to report that they did a pretty nice job."

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Wii Strong Bad glitch making you Strong Mad? Try this un-awesome fix

Randy Nelson — 2008-08-13T21:10:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Adventure

So you're jauntily making your way through the first "episode" of Strong Bad's video game debut on your Wii and ... freeze. Sadly this can't be remedied by shouting "UNFROZEN!" at the screen in your best imitation of the luchador-masked star's mighty voice.

Nope, according to some sleuthing by ThatVideoGameBlog, the freeze - which happens at the exact same point in the game for everyone, it seems - can only be avoided by following the advice on developer Telltale Games' message board. And what might that be? Oh, just setting your Wii to output in ye olde 4:3, 480i mode. Evidently, turning off widescreen and progressive scan output solves the problem. We'd much rather, oh, download a patch. Unfortunately, Telltale isn't telling tales of such a fix yet.

[Via NWF]

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Strong Bad burninates WiiWare today

Justin McElroy — 2008-08-11T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Nintendo Wii, Adventure

It's been delayed more times than we can count with our boxing glove hands, but, finally, the moment you've waited for since the beginning of the millennium has arrived: The Homestar Runner universe has made its way to video games with Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People (Telltale Games, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points) on WiiWare and PC.

We, like most of you, we'd imagine, have been a little slack in our Homestar Runner patronage in recent years. But we've been visiting lately to get prepped for the game and trust us, it still holds up enough to have us plenty excited for the game. Will you be picking it up? (Update: Our friends at Nintendo Wii Fanboy have a review of the game, calling it a "quite fun and an excellent piece of fan service.")

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Strong Bad finally arriving August 11

Justin McElroy — 2008-08-06T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Nintendo Wii

As you might have noticed, the first episode of Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People, "Homestar Ruiner," did not make its target month of July. Maybe he was too busy pining for Trevor or [insert more recent Strong Bad reference here], who knows? Thankfully, the wait has nearly ended: Telltale has announced on its site that the first episode will arrive on WiiWare and PC Aug. 11.

We're happy to finally see SB make the leap to the somewhat larger, yet still small screen. But we're more hopeful that the announcement means Telltale can now move on the to the episodic Teen Girl Squad game we all secretly crave.

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New screens, video, 'tech demo' for Telltale's Strong Bad

Christopher Grant — 2008-06-11T17:28:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Nintendo Wii

click to enlarge

It won't be long now. Despite a short delay into the far-off month of July (or: "next month"), Telltale's episodic adaptation of Strong Bad - delicately titled Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People - will be opening mail on WiiWare and PC shortly. To get you in the mood, Telltale just dropped a handful of new screens along with a new gameplay video on our doorstep (seriously, just left it there).

What we'd really like for you to check out is the "tech demo" showing off the game's incredible engine. Series creators Matt and Mike Chapman write that their "engine is about 98% finished" but they're still having "some trouble with the fence physics or 'phensics' as they say in the gaming industry." It's true, the phensics don't look quite right ...

Gallery: Strong Bad (6/11/08)

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Strong Bad game gets delayed until July

Justin McElroy — 2008-06-06T11:15:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Nintendo Wii, Adventure

To us laymen, game design doesn't seem terribly hard. Take, for example, Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People. It's being made by Telltale, which has already made an episodic humor game. Shouldn't it then be a simple matter of hitting Ctrl+F, finding all the "Sam and Max"'s and replacing them with "Strong Bad"s? Apparently, even this rudimentary task has proved too much for Telltale, as it has announced that the game's release has been pushed from its original window (June) into next month.

The company said that it needed the extra time to "polish," which we imagine involves removing the various chipsets and memory unit boards the game is running on and buffing them with Endust and an old T-shirt to a brilliant sheen. Why does that take so long? Why is it even necessary? We just don't know.

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Telltale details first Strong Bad episode, 'Homestar Ruiner'

Jason Dobson — 2008-05-15T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Nintendo Wii, Adventure, Casual

If our recent interview and the latest screenshots from Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People weren't enough to a satiate your interest in harassing the residents of Strongbadia, publisher Telltale has released some additional details for the forthcoming adventure game's first episode, titled "Homestar Ruiner," which will be released over WiiWare and the PC in June.

According to Telltale, the plot, for people who care about such things, will see the bobble-headed Strong Bad scheming to win the tri-annual 'Race to the End of the Race' while also working to get a disgraced Homestar Runner from loafing around his domicile. As mentioned in the past, the game will include a variety of mini-games and other diversions, two of which Telltale has now revealed to be Snake Boxer 5 from Homestar's fictional game development studio, Videlectrix, as well as the ability for players to create their own Teen Girl Squad comics. SO GOOD!

Gallery: Strong Bad (5/15/08)

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Joystiq interview: Holy crap! Telltale talks Strong Bad

Jason Dobson — 2008-05-13T13:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Adventure, Interviews

It won't be long before our wallets are drained of life thanks to Nintendo's freshly delivered digital download service, WiiWare. However, we're saving a few Wii Points under the mattress for Telltale's upcoming episodic take on iconic internet flash cartoon, Homestar Runner, in Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. It's dot com.

With the series announced to launch in June and new first episode details expected to drop later this week, we headed over to Bubs' Concession Stand for more information on the upcoming game. Of course, he wasn't much help, though he did point us over to Telltale, where we spoke with marketer extraordinaire Emily Morganti about all things Strong Bad. For the complete breakdown of what went down, hit up the interview below and pop open a one -- just make sure it's cold. A one which is not cold is scarcely a cold one at all.

Gallery: Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People

You first hinted at the project at GDC after Telltale was name-dropped on a Nintendo press release. How long prior to this had the project been in development?

We first started talking to the Chapmans about a year ago. My sense of time has completely left me (releasing a new game every month will do that to you!), but I feel like they first came out here to brainstorm with the team in late 2007. We then spent some time working on the art and put together a prototype so they could see what the game would look like, how it would control, etc. That was in early 2008. After that, things started moving pretty quickly.

Who approached who for the project? Did you knock on Matt and Mike Chapman's front door first, or vice versa?

We contacted them. We were looking for licenses that would work well with our episodic model, and since Homestar Runner is the epitome of an episodic license on the internet -- not to mention very, very funny -- it just made sense. Several people in our office were already Homestar fans before we even approached the Chapmans, and when we first talked to the Chapmans we learned they were Sam & Max fans and had been keeping up with our games, so it turned out to be a good fit.

Followers of Homestar Runner no doubt know of Matt and Mike's love affair with classic gaming, having created their own fair share of games like Dungeon Man 3 and Peasant Quest for their own site. As this project is described as a "3D point-and-click-em-up adventure," how hands-on have the duo been with the game's development?

They're very hands-on. It's as if they're working here with us in the office (except they're in Atlanta). They helped come up with the stories, they're taking passes on the scripts, and of course they do the voice acting. I think anyone who's familiar with the Chapmans' work will be really excited by how much of their personalities come through in the games -- it really feels like playing a long Homestarrunner.com cartoon.

Speaking of length, you've committed to releasing each of the game's five episodes one per month beginning in June. Is this schedule set in stone? Do you plan on having all of the episodes done by June so you just have to roll them out, or will the team be working on each episode up until they are released?

The production is staggered, so when we're finishing up one episode, another one is at beta and another is in the early stages. There might only be a month between releases, but that doesn't mean we've only spent a month developing an episode from beginning to end. It takes more like 2-3 months per episode.

We're still working out the exact schedule, which is why we haven't announced dates yet, but we're on track for a June launch for the first episode. At Telltale it's really important for us to announce a schedule and then stick to it. We think that's crucial for an episodic game. The process we've developed has made us pretty good at estimating how long it takes to build one of these games. (We've released eleven Sam & Max episodes without slipping a release date!)

We know that you also said that pricing details will be announced at a later date as well. Can you give us a ballpark? Should we expect the episodes to hover at or around the same price currently asked for episodes of Sam & Max, around $9 a pop?

That's in the ballpark. We'll announce the actual price (along with the schedule and all sorts of other good stuff) sometime between now and the first episode's launch.

Could we see Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People coming to other platforms besides the Wii and PC? PSN or XBLA for instance?

Maybe down the line, but for now we're focusing on WiiWare and the PC. WiiWare is a natural fit since the Homestar Runner license has such deep roots in old-school Nintendo nostalgia. (The very first Homestar Runner cartoon was done in Mario Paint!) Also the license has a very simple visual style that makes it pretty easy for us to meet WiiWare's download specs.

And naturally we're bringing the series out on PC because we already have a huge audience of PC gamers from the Sam & Max games. So someday, yeah, we might decide to bring SBCG4AP to other platforms, but for the time being WiiWare and the PC version are our focuses.

Will the game launch simultaneously for both the PC and WiiWare?

This is still being decided. When we know for sure how the scheduling will work, we'll tell the world.

We're interested in hearing your thoughts on the landscape of digital delivery since it's obviously something in which you are heavily invested. Why were you attracted to WiiWare over both PSN and Xbox Live, both of which are more established? What makes WiiWare the right choice for you?

We'd like to be on all of these at some point. They're all great platforms for episodic content. WiiWare just happens to be the one we're venturing onto first...The decision really comes down to which console is best for the license we're working on.

Thanks again for all your time today!

I'd like to give a quick (and shameless, I know) plug for Strong Bad's development blog, which is updated regularly by the Chapman brothers. Between their work on the game and maintaining their own site, those guys are super busy, so the fact that they're also turning out new content for the dev blog is something we're really excited about. (It's also very funny and very uniquely Strong Bad...)

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Strong Bad could eventually check mail on Xbox Live, PSN

Jason Dobson — 2008-05-12T10:20:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Adventure

Today's launch of WiiWare reminds us that next month we'll be pointing, clicking, and harassing the residents of Strongbadia in Telltale's Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, an upcoming episodic adventure title developed for the Wii's new digital delivery service as well as the PC. However, while the title's launch remains dedicated to these two platforms, we couldn't help but bug TellTale marketing guru Emily Morganti in a recent interview about the possibility of Strong Bad checking his email over Xbox Live or PSN as well.

"Maybe down the line," she told us, "but for now we're focusing on WiiWare and the PC." Morganti added that the team feels WiiWare is a "natural fit" for the Homestar Runner license, which she notes has "deep roots in old-school Nintendo nostalgia." We're inclined to agree, given that the first Homestar cartoon was put together using Mario Paint. However, TellTale is keeping other console digital delivery services on its radar, as Morganti donned her diplomatic marketing hat and told us that "we'd like to be on all of these at some point. They're all great platforms for episodic content. WiiWare just happens to be the one we're venturing onto first."

Look for our complete interview later this week for more from Telltale on Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, including how the project came to be and how much kicking The Cheat will drain our wallets.

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Joystiq impressions: Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People (WiiWare)

Zack Stern — 2008-04-15T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Nintendo Wii, Adventure, Online, Casual, Galleries

Days before the Nintendo Media Summit, Telltale Games revealed Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. I tried the adventure game at the event and spoke with Telltale's marketing coordinator, Emily Morganti.

Strong Bad follows in the game style of Sam & Max and other adventures, but it trades some of the linear, story elements for more random activities. For example, Strong Bad can make prank phone calls; play mini-games, including fake-retro throwbacks from the online cartoon; check in-game email, and otherwise explore his world.

Players drive most of the game interaction by pointing and clicking with the Wii Remote, although some mini-games use an NES-style approach. Morganti stressed that for this game and the upcoming Sam & Max conversion, Telltale won't add motion controls for their own sake.

Telltale's own team of writers and producers, including many who have been part of Sam & Max, are collaborating the Chapmans, Homestar Runner's creators. But unlike Sam & Max, Telltale plans to have different people lead the production on each of the five, roughly monthly episodes.

Morganti explained, "Each episode, a different designer [is in charge], which is more like they do on TV. ... It's still the same team. [But] it'll be interesting to see how the episodes feel as a result. With Sam & Max, we've had complaints that they feel too similar. We might find with Strong Bad, that each one feels very different."

Gallery: Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People

As I wandered through Strong Bad's house, I clicked on objects to interact. Homestar had been convicted of indecent exposure, and my goal was to clear his record so he'd leave the house. Dialogue options are represented by thought bubbles and iconic images, so I'd tap on a picture instead of a line of text. Then Strong Bad and other characters spoke their lines.

The graphics faithfully resemble the Flash cartoons. Telltale uses only a single game engine across its products, but the design looks unique. The game is drawn in 3D, but various shading techniques give it a 2D style. Additionally, in the areas I sampled, I could lead Strong Bad roughly along a single line, further flattening the game's depth. Morganti noted that the engine runs on the PC, Wii, and Xbox 360. The company plans a PC version of the game, with release details to be determined.

Also like Sam & Max, Strong Bad might be published in a physical product after the season of episodes concludes. While firm plans aren't yet established, Morganti said, "I would be surprised if we didn't consider packaging it up and putting it at retail at the end. A whole other group of people buy things at retail and aren't going to download it." Sam & Max subscribers get a free, physical copy of the full season after it ends, but if Strong Bad makes it to a Wii disc, Morganti expects it will be stand-alone and unrelated to any WiiWare purchases.

The first WiiWare episode will launch in June, and Telltale is still planning a few surprises. Morganti mentioned WiiConnect 24 support but is saving specifics for a time closer to the launch.

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Homestar Runner's April 1 video hinted at Wii title

Ross Miller — 2008-04-10T21:55:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Nintendo Wii, Adventure

Today, Telltale Games announced its WiiWare episodic series Strong Bad Cool Game for Attractive People, but was there a hint of a Homestar Runner videogame before today? As Joystiq reader Christopher A. points out, an easter egg in the April 1 sbemail "Shapeshifter" contained the code 3uSyK2RdlUY. Plug that into the end of a YouTube URL and you get the above video, a parody on the Wii's safety concerns.

We're sorry to have missed this the first time, but it seems all too appropriate now. Strong Bad Cool Game for Attractive People is coming in June to Nintendo's WiiWare service and the PC.

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Telltale launches Strong Bad site, trailers

Ross Miller — 2008-04-10T19:00:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Nintendo Wii, Adventure

After a delay of a few hours, Telltale Games has launched the website for Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. In addition to F.A.Q., the site features a trailer for the game that shows off the game but provides few details -- it's in 3D, it features the normal characters and locations, and Homestar thinks the Wii remote is a candy bar.

Looking for more video teasers? Homestar Runner is featuring its own trailer, albeit without any in-game footage. The SBCG4AP site also has a video parody of the Wii safety measures. Strong Bad's episodic debut is coming "exclusively to WiiWare (and also PC)" in June.

Gallery: Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People

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Episodic 'Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People' coming in June

Ross Miller — 2008-04-10T10:50:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Nintendo Wii, Adventure

Telltale Games has revealed that the "new WiiWare episode series" hinted at during GDC08 will be Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive people, based on the character from Homestar Runner. The series will be a five-episode season with installments promised monthly on Nintendo's download service as well as the PC. The first episode is due out in June; further release date and pricing details are promised later, according to the press release.

If you need a refresher on Strong Bad, we'd appriciate (yes, you read that right) it if you checked out the "sbemail" archives. More details, assets and an official trailer are expected later today.

Update: Check out this April 1 video from Homestar Runner that might've hinted at this announcement.

Update: Website and trailers launch.

Gallery: Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People

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