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[Suda 51 and Grasshopper are using Unreal Engine 4 'heavily']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/grasshopper-is-using-unreal-engine-4-heavily/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/grasshopper-is-using-unreal-engine-4-heavily/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/grasshopper-is-using-unreal-engine-4-heavily/#comments No More Heroes and Killer is Dead dev Grasshopper Manufacture is "heavily relying" on Unreal Engine 4, with next-gen games in mind. Speaking to Joystiq at E3, Grasshopper CEO Goichi Suda, most commonly known as Suda 51, confirmed his studio's use of Epic's next-gen engine when asked about his thoughts on the PS4 and Xbox One.

"As a developer, we're heavily relying right now on Unreal Engine 4," Suda told us. "That works really well with both systems - or in the sense that we could go either way."

Grasshopper recently revealed it has a stylistic action game in development that isn't Killer is Dead - and it isn't No More Heroes 3 either. As Suda told Siliconera back in April, it's a new game coming to one or more consoles. He also teased to Siliconera the game was either running on Unreal Engine 3 or Unreal Engine 4, adding that if he said which one then "you would know about the platforms."

Suda told Joystiq we can expect Unreal Engine 4 in Grasshopper games "if it's a big title, or if it's suited to that title," all of which suggests a next-gen landing for said secretive game.

As for the future possibility of No More Heroes 3, Suda told us, "Travis [Touchdown] is one of the characters I'm really fond of, that means a lot to me. So if there was the opportunity to create another sequel then yeah, I'm always up to the idea."

JoystiqSuda 51 and Grasshopper are using Unreal Engine 4 'heavily' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2013goichi-sudagrasshopper-manufactureGungHoGungHo-Online-Entertainmentno-more-heroes-3ps4suda-51unreal-engine-4xbox-oneTue, 18 Jun 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Killer Is Dead's second trailer is no less crazy than the first]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/killer-is-deads-second-trailer-is-no-less-crazy-than-the-first/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/killer-is-deads-second-trailer-is-no-less-crazy-than-the-first/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/killer-is-deads-second-trailer-is-no-less-crazy-than-the-first/#comments
The second trailer for Suda51's Killer is Dead includes earth-stealing, giant aliens, and a woman with 16 arms all holding guns, all to the wholly apt backdrop of Wagner's "Flight of the Valkyries."

Killer is Dead is coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 in North America and Europe this summer.

JoystiqKiller Is Dead's second trailer is no less crazy than the first originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deep-silvergrasshopper-manufacturekadokawa-gameskiller-is-deadmicrosoftplaystationps3suda-51xboxxseedMon, 01 Apr 2013 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Grasshopper already working on another action game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/grasshopper-already-working-on-another-action-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/grasshopper-already-working-on-another-action-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/grasshopper-already-working-on-another-action-game/#comments This is the next Grasshopper gameGrasshopper Manufacture's latest assassin action game, Killer is Dead, is still in progress, but Suda 51 and co. are already thinking about the next stylized sword game.

Suda shared the above concept art by No More Heroes (and Fire Emblem: Awakening) character designer Yusuke Kozaki, for Grasshopper's first game to be conceived and developed as part of Gungho Entertainment (and now part of Softbank!)

"There is a base for our specialty, the slash action games we've made so far," Suda told Famitsu (translated by Gematsu). But with Gungho's power, we want to put in our knowhow in ways we haven't done before. We are also considering developing for not just offline devices, but online devices too."

JoystiqGrasshopper already working on another action game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grasshopper-manufactureGungHo-Online-Entertainmentsuda-51Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Suda 51 'horny' for PS4 possibilities]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/suda-51-horny-for-ps4-possibilities/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/suda-51-horny-for-ps4-possibilities/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/suda-51-horny-for-ps4-possibilities/#comments Suda 51's most recent Famitsu column was written shortly after the Killer is Dead producer watched the PlayStation 4 reveal event, revealing the fresh excitement he still felt about the news.

"I think that in the future, cloud delivery will become totally commonplace," Suda said, translated by Edge. "Social networking has certainly done that. To be able to play anywhere, on any device, with shared data - this will be an alluring new feature for games." Cloud saving as a standard is also "an evolution in itself," he said.

"Thinking about the future of this stuff and then constructing and outputting something appealing is our job as game designers, and from that challenge we can take new strength," Suda said. And then, because he's Suda and edginess is part of his personal brand, he added "And that makes me horny." Grasshopper Manufacture, and parent company Gungho Online Entertainment, have signed on to make games for PS4.

That attitude - the enthusiasm, not specifically the arousal - suggests that Sony's dev-focused approach to designing the PS4 is paying off.

JoystiqSuda 51 'horny' for PS4 possibilities originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>suda-51Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Killer is Dead launches worldwide this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/31/killer-is-dead-launches-worldwide-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/31/killer-is-dead-launches-worldwide-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/31/killer-is-dead-launches-worldwide-this-summer/#comments Killer is Dead launches worldwide this summerSuda 51's Killer is Dead is confirmed for a worldwide launch on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in summer 2013. XSEED is releasing the Grasshopper Manufacture game in North America, while Deep Silver is bringing it to Europe and Oceania.

True to the developer's form, Killer is Dead stars an assassin taking out criminals in the near future. The hero, Mondo Zappa, brandishes a sword with his right hand and everything from guns to drills with his other, artificial arm.

Today's announcement comes hot on the trail of Grasshopper Manufacture's acquirement by Japanese MMO makers GungHo Online Entertainment. GungHo does have an American publishing branch, but this Grasshopper game won't be the first to take advantage of it.

Update: Killer is Dead will feature both Japanese and English audio on the disc.

Gallery: Killer is Dead (1/31/13)

Continue reading Killer is Dead launches worldwide this summer

JoystiqKiller is Dead launches worldwide this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deep-silvergrasshopper-manufacturekadokawa-gameskiller-is-deadmicrosoftplaystationps3suda-51xboxxseedThu, 31 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grasshopper Manufacture acquired by GungHo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/grasshopper-manufacture-acquired-by-gungho/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/grasshopper-manufacture-acquired-by-gungho/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/grasshopper-manufacture-acquired-by-gungho/#comments Grasshopper Manufacture acquired by GungHoSuda 51's studio Grasshopper Manufacture has been acquired by Gungho Online Entertainment, known for its longstanding MMO Ragnarok Online. Rather than be renamed or realigned within the company, Grasshopper will continue to operate as Grasshopper Manufacture, much like Gungho's other acquired studios Game Arts, Gravity, and (ironically) Acquire, but will now have its games published by Gungho.

"We believe the strength of a publisher lies in its creative talent so with the addition of Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda 51 we are adding some of the most innovative talent in today's gaming world to our stellar family of independently-operated studios," said Kazuki Morishita, Gungho CEO (pictured, above, with Suda. "Suda 51 projects are known to put a unique spin on every game so coupled with our proven ability to support development with AAA resources including a tailored online experience, we believe gamers will benefit from this collaboration."

The good news there: Gungho has an American publishing operation, which recently released Dokuro, Puzzle & Dragons, and a selection of PSOne Imports, meaning Grasshopper games now have a built-in Western publisher.

Continue reading Grasshopper Manufacture acquired by GungHo

JoystiqGrasshopper Manufacture acquired by GungHo originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grasshopper-manufacturegungho-online-entertainmentsuda-51Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Killer is Dead shows off sick moves, characters in first screenshots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/17/killer-is-dead-shows-off-sick-moves-characters-in-first-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/17/killer-is-dead-shows-off-sick-moves-characters-in-first-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/17/killer-is-dead-shows-off-sick-moves-characters-in-first-screens/#comments First screens of Killer is DeadKiller is Dead, the next game from Suda 51 and Grasshopper Manufacture, is alive, and this set of screenshots provided by Famitsu proves it. Yesterday we learned the juicy bits of Killer is Dead's story, which stars a mercenary named Mondo Zappa as he travels the world killing bad people.

Combat in Killer is Dead is sword-based and close-range, though Zappa has an arm that can transform into a drill, a gun and other items. As seen in the shot above, Zappa's attacks get pretty bloody, especially when he uses one of his more powerful moves, Adrenaline Burst. Check out Famitsu's screenshots right here.

JoystiqKiller is Dead shows off sick moves, characters in first screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goichi-sudagrasshopper-manufacturekiller-is-deadmicrosoftplaystationps3screenshotssuda-51xboxThu, 17 Jan 2013 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Killer is Dead stars an assassin with a drill, gun for a hand]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/killer-is-dead-stars-an-assassin-with-a-drill-gun-for-a-hand/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/killer-is-dead-stars-an-assassin-with-a-drill-gun-for-a-hand/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/killer-is-dead-stars-an-assassin-with-a-drill-gun-for-a-hand/#comments Killer is Dead details emergeGrasshopper Manufacture's Killer is Dead stars - you guessed it - an assassin in an imperfect future, a spread in Famitsu reveals, as translated by Gematsu. The protagonist, Mondo Zappa, is hired by the Execution Office, led by Chief Brian Roses, to kill murderers around the world, some of which are trying to regain their talents and others that wish for death. And, somehow, the moon is involved.

The combat is close-range, mainly using swords, though Zappa is a bit of a transhumanist and his left arm can transform into a drill, gun and other items. Previous teasers compare the swordplay to No More Heroes, another game from director Goichi Suda. Zappa absorbs enemy blood to use the Adrenaline Burst attack, a powerful move that causes large amounts of blood to gush when foes are decapitated.

Zappa's favorite food is a half-boiled egg, he's 35 years old and he is quite a lady-killer (possibly literally). He's joined by co-workers Vivian Squall and Mika Takekawa, and an enemy by the name of Victor. Killer is Dead is scheduled to launch on Xbox 360 and PS3 this summer.

JoystiqKiller is Dead stars an assassin with a drill, gun for a hand originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goichi-sudagrasshopper-manufacturekiller-is-deadmicrosoftplaystationps3suda-51xboxWed, 16 Jan 2013 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Knight Sword review: All flash, no flesh]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/black-knight-sword-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/black-knight-sword-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/black-knight-sword-review/#comments Black Knight Sword review Style over substanceWhile fairy tales have evolved over centuries into the family friendly Disney/Dreamworks films our nieces are all so fond of, they originally began life as terrifying stories of murder and misfortune designed to keep children in line, lest they find themselves in the oven of an evil witch.

In that sense, Grasshopper Manufacture's Black Knight Sword takes an old school approach to the world of storybook fantasy, leaving warm fuzzies in a locked box beneath the stairs. Its dark tales of captured princesses, feuding sisters and the eternally damned are permeated by a sense of macabre wonderment that would make Guillermo del Toro proud.

Unfortunately, the game is also analogous to fables of olde in a different, more tragic sense: It serves as a perfect cautionary tale for other developers, lest their own games buckle under the weight of their own sense of style.

Gallery: Black Knight Sword (12/13/12)

Continue reading Black Knight Sword review: All flash, no flesh

JoystiqBlack Knight Sword review: All flash, no flesh originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Akira-Yamaokablack-knight-sworddigital-realitygrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3PSNsuda-51Suda51XBLAxboxFri, 14 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Portabliss: Liberation Maiden (3DS)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/portabliss-liberation-maiden-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/portabliss-liberation-maiden-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/portabliss-liberation-maiden-3ds/#commentsThis is Portabliss, a column about downloadable games that can be played on the go.
Snapshot or Portabliss Liberation Maiden 3DS
The adage "leave them wanting more" immediately came to mind upon completing Liberation Maiden, a feat which took a little under two hours to accomplish. Level 5 and Grasshopper Manufacture's 3DS eShop shooter is engaging enough to whet the palate, but the ideas presented by its design don't feel like they have enough time to mature.

It's almost like the development team started out with the design document for an entire, full-length shooter, and then decided to only made the first five levels. Thankfully, those five levels are exciting, twitchy arcade fun with Level 5's trademark of polish and Suda 51's sense of style.

Gallery: Liberation Maiden

Continue reading Portabliss: Liberation Maiden (3DS)

JoystiqPortabliss: Liberation Maiden (3DS) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dseshopgrasshopper-manufactureLevel-5liberation-maidennintendoportablisssuda-51Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Liberation Maiden liberates North American 3DSes Oct. 25]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/liberation-maiden-liberates-north-american-3dses-oct-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/liberation-maiden-liberates-north-american-3dses-oct-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/liberation-maiden-liberates-north-american-3dses-oct-25/#comments Liberation Maiden liberates North American 3DSes Oct 25Suda 51 and Level 5's 3DS anime shooter Liberation Maiden will make its stateside debut on the North American 3DS eShop on Thursday, October 25, according to the eShop's news ticker. Previously, Liberation Maiden was featured in a Japan-exclusive 3DS multi-cart called Guild01. The other two titles in the set are set to release on the eShop later this year.

Liberation Maiden puts players in the shoes of Shoko Ōzora, a young high-school student who also happens to be the President of Japan, on account of the unfortunate assassination of her father. An invading force is attempting to steal all of Japan's energy resources, so obviously the best solution is to have Shoko pilot the "Kaihoki" mech herself into battle.

Animated cutscenes in the shooter come courtesy of Studio Bones, whose previous work includes the anime Wolf's Rain, Full Metal Alchemist and Soul Eater.

Gallery: Liberation Maiden

JoystiqLiberation Maiden liberates North American 3DSes Oct. 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dseshopgrasshopper-manufacturelevel-5liberation-maidennintendorelease-datesuda-51Sat, 13 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[No More Heroes: World Ranker arrives on Android in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/no-more-heroes-world-ranker-arrives-on-android-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/no-more-heroes-world-ranker-arrives-on-android-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/no-more-heroes-world-ranker-arrives-on-android-in-japan/#comments No More Heroes social game hits Androids in JapanNo More Heroes: World Ranker was released on Android in Japan today, and is due on iOS soon. World Ranker, which Grasshopper CEO Suda 51 introduced last year as "the social game with the most blood," features touchscreen controls and multiplayer options.

Aside from that, World Ranker apparently doesn't veer far from the original game's blueprints. You play an assassin, you kill other assassins, you climb the assassin ranks - you know the drill. The promotional artwork above suggests the game sees some of No More Heroes' bosses reappear.

When Suda 51 announced World Ranker, he made clear he wanted it to be successful enough in Japan to warrant a worldwide release. Whether or not we'll see the game on Western smartphones likely depends on its performance during the next few months.

Check after the break for some screenshots.

Continue reading No More Heroes: World Ranker arrives on Android in Japan

JoystiqNo More Heroes: World Ranker arrives on Android in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgrasshopper-manufactureiosiphonejapanmobileno-more-heroesno-more-heroes-world-rankersocial-gamessuda-51Thu, 30 Aug 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lollipop Chainsaw ships 700,000, Grasshopper's highest numbers to date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/lollipop-chainsaw-ships-700-000-grasshoppers-highest-numbers-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/lollipop-chainsaw-ships-700-000-grasshoppers-highest-numbers-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/lollipop-chainsaw-ships-700-000-grasshoppers-highest-numbers-t/#comments Lollipop Chainsaw ships 700,000, Grasshopper's highest numbersLollipop Chainsaw shipped over 700,000 units worldwide, making it the most shipped game in Grasshopper Manafacture's history. Grasshopper CEO Suda 51 and Japanese publisher Kadokawa Games proudly announced the figure at the game's 'Summer Appreciation Event' in Tokyo. The news comes a year after Shadows of the Damned only sold 24,000 units in its first week at US retail, so success for Grasshopper's major release of 2012 must come as welcome relief.

Suda 51 also used the event to show off a new trailer for Killer is Dead, the studio's latest work in progress, which apparently will star a katana-wielding cyborg. That's something to look forward to when the game comes out on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 next year.

JoystiqLollipop Chainsaw ships 700,000, Grasshopper's highest numbers to date originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grasshopper-manafacturekiller-is-deadlollipop-chainsawmicrosoftplaystationps3suda-51xboxMon, 27 Aug 2012 07:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Lollipop Chainsaw heads to US on June 12]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/lollipop-chainsaw-heads-to-us-on-june-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/lollipop-chainsaw-heads-to-us-on-june-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/lollipop-chainsaw-heads-to-us-on-june-12/#comments At the Lollipop Chainsaw event this evening it was announced the game will cut into North American retail on June 12. We're sure to have more details from the event as the night goes on.

Gallery: Lollipop Chainsaw (3/5/12)

JoystiqLollipop Chainsaw heads to US on June 12 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grasshopper-manufacturejames-gunnlollipop-chainsawmicrosoftplaystationps3release-datesuda-51xboxMon, 05 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Shadows of the Damned]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-shadows-of-the-damned/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-shadows-of-the-damned/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-shadows-of-the-damned/#comments This sojourn in hell inspires the most intense evangelism, and that makes me think nobody in EA's marketing department bothered to play Shadows of the Damned.

Even those who acted as envoys for the game's off-kilter charms, those people who were unpaid but still rewarded, might have gotten stuck on the easy marquee description: "It's the unfathomable oddness of Suda 51, paired with Shinji Mikami sensibility and an Akira Yamaoka soundtrack!"

The summation is accurate (if a bit unfair to the major input from design lead Massimo Guarini, who left Grasshopper Manufacture in 2011), but hardly a detailed message for those unfamiliar with star Japanese designers. At least Shadows of the Damned had no troubles conveying its obvious qualities: a surprising and properly grotesque vision of post-life limbo, a protagonist passionate to a fault and a hilarious skull-on-a-stick to guide him.

Continue reading Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Shadows of the Damned

JoystiqJoystiq Top 10 of 2011: Shadows of the Damned originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgrasshopper-manufacturejoystiq-best-of-2011massimo-guarinimicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedsuda-51xboxMon, 02 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Suda 51 wants Grasshopper Manufacture to be like real grasshoppers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/suda-51-wants-grasshopper-manufacture-to-be-like-real-grasshoppe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/suda-51-wants-grasshopper-manufacture-to-be-like-real-grasshoppe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/suda-51-wants-grasshopper-manufacture-to-be-like-real-grasshoppe/#comments Suda Grasshopper Manufacture revealed a major change in its development strategy during the Tokyo Game Show this year. Of the eight different games on display, the majority were downloadable titles, including high-profile titles like Sine Mora, Black Knight Sword and Diabolical Pitch. During the show, we managed to snag some time with Grasshopper's CEO, Goichi Suda, more commonly known as Suda 51.

During our chat, we discussed Grasshopper's new direction, Sdatcher and even the possibility of a collaboration between Grasshopper and Kojima Productions. Suda's ultimate goal? For Grasshopper Manufacture to become more like actual grasshoppers.

Continue reading Suda 51 wants Grasshopper Manufacture to be like real grasshoppers

JoystiqSuda 51 wants Grasshopper Manufacture to be like real grasshoppers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-knight-swordgrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3suda-51tgs-2011xboxTue, 11 Oct 2011 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA['Watch' Sdatcher in English right here]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/watch-sdatcher-in-english-right-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/watch-sdatcher-in-english-right-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/watch-sdatcher-in-english-right-here/#comments

A group of heroic fans has begun the work of making Suda 51's Sdatcher, the Snatcher-inspired radio drama, available to Anglophone fans. A fan-subtitled version of the first installment has been posted to YouTube -- in English and Spanish -- allowing us to check in with Jean Jack Gibson, a "JUNKER" agent tasked with finding and destroying humanoid robots (Snatchers) who have infiltrated human society.

This first episode is a sort of futuristic police procedural, with Gibson and his robotic partner "Little John" (played by Hideo Kojima) chatting amiably and going for lunch in Neo Kobe's Chinatown as they conduct an investigation.

We can't help but wish we were seeing what was going on as we listen to this ... and that we were playing it. Thankfully, Akira Yamaoka's music does an admirable job of dropping us into the kind of cyberpunk future-'80s dreamed up in the original game.

Joystiq'Watch' Sdatcher in English right here originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fansubhideo-kojimakonamisdatchersuda-51suda-51s-sdatcherMon, 26 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@TGS: Shoe-da 51]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/seen-tgs-shoe-da-51/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/seen-tgs-shoe-da-51/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/seen-tgs-shoe-da-51/#comments When we went to Grasshopper Manufacture's meeting room to interview Suda 51, our attention immediately went to his feet.

Continue reading Seen@TGS: Shoe-da 51

JoystiqSeen@TGS: Shoe-da 51 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grasshopper-manufacturesuda-51tgs-2011Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Damned collaboration: How Shadows of the Damned found its closing act]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/the-damned-collaboration-how-shadows-of-the-damned-found-its-cl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/the-damned-collaboration-how-shadows-of-the-damned-found-its-cl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/the-damned-collaboration-how-shadows-of-the-damned-found-its-cl/#comments It takes a lot of people a lot of time to license a track for a video game. Among other things, that's what The Damned drummer Andrew "Pinch" Pinching learned in the fall of 2010 when he worked with Grasshopper Manufacture composer Akira Yamaoka on the title track from this year's grindhouse-inspired third-person shooter, Shadows of the Damned. According to Pinch, it took "about a hundred emails" before an agreement was even reached regarding the collaboration.

"I kid you not, they are VERY thorough," Pinch explained to me via email earlier this summer. He was speaking to the GhM side of the partnership, which he described as "treading a different path in the games industry" from other dev studios. "I did a bit of research and found out about Suda51 and No More Heroes," Pinch added. "[He] was regarded as a bit of an edgy rebel, which appealed to me immensely. It didn't hurt that his games looked great as well."

The end product of the collaboration was, as we now know, the excellent (and if I may say so myself, rockin') final track from Shadows of the Damned. But that wasn't always the plan, as Pinch told me. "Initially, they [GhM] wanted what everyone wants -- an old Damned track. In this instance, a track called 'Love Song,' which in hindsight would have fitted the theme of the game rather nicely." But "Love Song" wasn't meant to be, and The Damned pushed to create an original track for the game.

Continue reading The Damned collaboration: How Shadows of the Damned found its closing act

JoystiqThe Damned collaboration: How Shadows of the Damned found its closing act originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akira-yamaokaandrew-pinch-pinchingandrew-pinchingcaptain-sensibledave-vaniangrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftmusicplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedsuda-51suda51the-damnedxboxMon, 05 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sdatcher radio drama begins, swag for sale at TGS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/sdatcher-radio-drama-begins-swag-for-sale-at-tgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/sdatcher-radio-drama-begins-swag-for-sale-at-tgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/sdatcher-radio-drama-begins-swag-for-sale-at-tgs/#comments For those of you who can understand Japanese, or just like the way it sounds, the first act of Kojima Productions and Suda 51's "Sdatcher" radio drama has been posted. You can access it from the Snatcher-inspired website set up for the series.

And if you're the type of person who has been waiting for years for new Snatcher merchandise, and plans on attending Tokyo Game Show -- we're mostly referring to ourselves here -- Konami will be selling some exclusive Sdatcher stuff, including a postcard set and a clear file folder. We'll make sure to look and sound as American as we can, to send a clear message to Konami staff that there are Anglophones who are way into this stuff.

JoystiqSdatcher radio drama begins, swag for sale at TGS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimajapankojima-productionskonamisdatchersnatchersuda-51tgs-2011Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lollipop Chainsaw preview: Suck on this]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/lollipop-chainsaw-preview-suck-on-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/lollipop-chainsaw-preview-suck-on-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/lollipop-chainsaw-preview-suck-on-this/#comments Buffy the No More Heroes Zombie Slayer. That's the best way to sum up Lollipop Chainsaw at first glance. Featuring a Lichtenstein-inspired pop art HUD and over-the-top humor drawn from the Suda 51 vein, the game revels in the expected brutality of a zombie outbreak, but adds a dash of the unexpected with rainbows and sparkles following finishing moves and combos.

Developed by Suda 51's Grasshopper Manufacture, the cult name-dropping doesn't stop there. Writer and director James Gunn (Dawn of the Dead, Tromeo and Juliet, Slither) created the script, while Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill, Shadows of the Damned) is handling music -- but none of his work is featured in the current demo.

Yamaoka said during our Gamescom presentation, "This game will be crazier than it is now." A terrifying thought, since the game already has the crazy dialed to 11.

Gallery: Lollipop Chainsaw (Gamescom 2011)

Continue reading Lollipop Chainsaw preview: Suck on this

JoystiqLollipop Chainsaw preview: Suck on this originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Akira-Yamaokagrasshopper-manufactureJames-Gunnlollipop-chainsawmicrosoftplaystationps3Suda-51Warner-BrosWBIExboxSat, 20 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lollipop Chainsaw gets a debut trailer at Gamescom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/lollipop-chainsaw-gets-a-debut-trailer-at-gamescom/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/lollipop-chainsaw-gets-a-debut-trailer-at-gamescom/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/lollipop-chainsaw-gets-a-debut-trailer-at-gamescom/#comments Juliet goes a little nuts with a chainsaw in Lollipop Chainsaw.
Germany's Gamescom show has brought us this debut trailer for Lollipop Chainsaw, a new title in the works from developer Goichi "Suda51" Suda's Grasshopper Manufacture. As you can tell from the (scandalous!) footage above, the game's about a cheerleader named Juliet -- who also happens to be a zombie slayer with a chainsaw.

The official site lists the location as "San Romero High School," and since American horror/comedy director James Gunn is also along for the ride, you can probably expect plenty of sly references like that one in the game. Lollipop Chainsaw is targeting a 2012 release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

JoystiqLollipop Chainsaw gets a debut trailer at Gamescom originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamescom-2011gorejames-gunnlollipop-chainsawmicrosoftplaystationps3suda-51trailerxboxzombiesMon, 15 Aug 2011 18:53:00 EST<![CDATA['Sdatcher' radio drama will be distributed for free, sold on CD later]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/sdatcher-radio-drama-will-be-distributed-for-free-sold-on-cd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/sdatcher-radio-drama-will-be-distributed-for-free-sold-on-cd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/sdatcher-radio-drama-will-be-distributed-for-free-sold-on-cd/#comments In a tweet, Hideo Kojima announced that the Snatcher-universe radio drama, "Suda 51's Sdatcher," will be released as a free download. A CD will be sold later to pay the voice actors, including many Metal Gear series cast members. There's still no official release date for the drama, but it was planned to be concurrent with Hideradio podcast number 300 -- they're on 298 right now. Kojima subsequently tweeted the character art of Jean Jack Gibson above.

Kojima also said that he's heard the music Akira Yamaoka is making for the drama, which was to be '70s progressive rock and '80s electro pop. Per Andriasang's translation, Kojima likes it but questioned its reception by the masses. And when you bring in Suda 51 to make a podcast radio drama based on an adventure game from 1988, you don't want anything to get in the way of that built-in mass appeal.

Joystiq'Sdatcher' radio drama will be distributed for free, sold on CD later originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akira-yamaokahideo-kojimajapankonamiradio-dramasdatchersnatchersuda-51suda51Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Warner Bros. picks up Lollipop Chainsaw for Western release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/warner-bros-picks-up-lollipop-chainsaw-for-western-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/warner-bros-picks-up-lollipop-chainsaw-for-western-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/warner-bros-picks-up-lollipop-chainsaw-for-western-release/#comments Grasshopper Manufacture's cheerleader-versus-zombie action game, Lollipop Chainsaw, will be released outside of Japan in 2012, thanks to Warner Bros. Interactive. The publisher announced a new partnership with Lollipop's Japanese publisher, Kadokawa Games. That seems like a good match -- both companies are media conglomerates who have only recently expanded into games.

Warner is using those media connections to bring in some Hollywood talent: writer/director James Gunn (Slither, Dawn of the Dead) will "bring his cult humor and edgy storytelling to Lollipop Chainsaw." Considering that the Suda 51 game already appears to be 100% cult humor ... that's a lot of cult humor.

If WB is putting this much effort and cash into the writing, it seems possible that the company could go so far as to market the game, something that didn't fully happen with Grasshopper's last game.

[Image: Famitsu]

Continue reading Warner Bros. picks up Lollipop Chainsaw for Western release

JoystiqWarner Bros. picks up Lollipop Chainsaw for Western release originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grasshopper-manufacturekadokawa-gameslollipop-chainsawmicrosoftplaystationps3suda-51Warner-Bros-InteractivexboxMon, 01 Aug 2011 09:49:00 EST<![CDATA[No More Heroes social game will be appropriately bloody]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/no-more-heroes-social-game-will-be-appropriately-bloody/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/no-more-heroes-social-game-will-be-appropriately-bloody/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/no-more-heroes-social-game-will-be-appropriately-bloody/#comments Suda 51's contribution to DeNA's "Super Creators Initiative" is a social No More Heroes game. And, being a No More Heroes game, it'll be about people assassinating one another. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise, then, that Suda 51 told attendees at a press conference, "We're aiming to make it the social game with the most blood."

We suppose it could be a surprise, given that the original Japanese and European releases of No More Heroes were bloodless, subsituting a shower of coins. So by being even a little bloody, the new social game is bloodier than the real game in Japan.

Suda also expressed a desire to give this game enough "power" and "impact" to make it outside of Japan, a lofty goal for a Japanese mobile game. That was a goal that the three previous mobile NMH games, released by Marvelous in 2008, couldn't achieve.

JoystiqNo More Heroes social game will be appropriately bloody originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>denajapanmobagemobileNo-More-Heroessocial-gamessuda-51Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Grasshopper Manufacturing 'Lollipop Chainsaw' for PS3 and 360 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/rumor-grasshopper-manufacturing-lollipop-chainsaw-for-ps3-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/rumor-grasshopper-manufacturing-lollipop-chainsaw-for-ps3-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/rumor-grasshopper-manufacturing-lollipop-chainsaw-for-ps3-and/#comments Being a secondhand report of data out of an early leak of Japanese mag Famitsu, it's only right to approach the news of Grasshopper Manufacture's Lollipop Chainsaw for PS3 and Xbox 360 with skepticism.

The reports also describe it as a game about a cheerleader raised by zombie hunters, who uses her acrobatic training and a chainsaw to destroy zombies ... which certainly sounds like a Suda game. Additionally, the zombies will spray pink blood on the screen when destroyed, something that Siliconera says is meant to convey a "pop" feel.

According to Andriasang, Suda 51 is serving as creative director, with the very busy Akira Yamaoka working on sound. It's reportedly 70% complete, and will be published by Kadokawa Games.

Update: Famitsu has posted the first artwork and screenshots of the game, including the above screen.

JoystiqGrasshopper Manufacturing 'Lollipop Chainsaw' for PS3 and 360 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akira-yamaokafamitsugrasshopper-manufacturejapankadokawa-gameslollipop-chainsawmicrosoftplaystationps3suda-51xboxWed, 20 Jul 2011 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima announces Snatcher-inspired radio drama, for real this time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/kojima-announces-snatcher-inspired-radio-drama-for-real-this-ti/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/kojima-announces-snatcher-inspired-radio-drama-for-real-this-ti/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/kojima-announces-snatcher-inspired-radio-drama-for-real-this-ti/#comments This week, Hideo Kojima teased a surprise announcement coming on the latest edition of his Hideradio podcast. The real surprise is that it's something he already announced in 2007: a radio drama inspired by his 1988 cyberpunk adventure game Snatcher, scripted by Suda 51. It's called "Sdatcher" as a pun on Suda's name. This is the long-awaited Kojima/Suda "Project S."

The drama will include music by Akira Yamaoka, and will be released to coincide with the 300th episode of Hideradio -- this one is #296, and they are released biweekly, on Fridays. So ... two months or so? Of course, we'll then have to wait for some kind of translation, official or otherwise.

We take back what we said earlier. The real real surprise with this announcement is that Kojima actually announced something that isn't Metal Gear.

JoystiqKojima announces Snatcher-inspired radio drama, for real this time originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akira-yamaokahideo-kojimaradio-dramasdatchersnatchersuda-51Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Suda and Mikami get silly in Shadows of the Damned dev diary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/suda-and-mikami-get-silly-in-shadows-of-the-damned-dev-diary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/suda-and-mikami-get-silly-in-shadows-of-the-damned-dev-diary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/suda-and-mikami-get-silly-in-shadows-of-the-damned-dev-diary/#comments Watch as famous game designers Goichi Suda and Shinji Mikami pretend to strangle each another, act like zombies and generally goof off. The point? They're promoting Shadows of the Damned, the new survival-horror title they're co-developing for EA. Oh, there's plenty of gameplay footage in here, too.

Continue reading Suda and Mikami get silly in Shadows of the Damned dev diary

JoystiqSuda and Mikami get silly in Shadows of the Damned dev diary originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actioneaElectronic-Artsgoichi-sudagrasshopper-manufacturehorrormicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedShinji-Mikamisuda-51xboxFri, 29 Apr 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadows of the Damned preview: Hardly Hell]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-preview/#comments As the tall, blood-covered Frankenstein doppleganger leapt from a gigantic flame in the middle of a courtyard, I thought to myself, "Man, this guy could really use a bath." The shock set in when the demon reached into his own chest and ripped out its heart, then ate it, causing him to transform into a gigantic beast-man with a grotesque wolf's head. Howling at the moon, he summoned forth a mouthless steed covered in blood and rotting skin. Mounting his hell ride, he then conjured a trident and spear from the ether and set his sights on me.

If there's one thing I can say about the brief 15-minute Shadows of the Damned demo I played this week, it's that the game isn't short on crazy. Also, I wish I got to kill that demon and the disfigured horse he rode in on.

Gallery: Shadows of the Damned (4/21/11)

Continue reading Shadows of the Damned preview: Hardly Hell

JoystiqShadows of the Damned preview: Hardly Hell originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgoichi-sudagrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedshinji-mikamisuda-51xboxThu, 21 Apr 2011 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadows of the Damned launching on June 21, 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-launching-on-june-21-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-launching-on-june-21-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-launching-on-june-21-2011/#comments At a recent event in San Francisco, Suda 51 from Grasshopper Manufacture announced the new launch date for Shadows of the Damned: June 21. That gives it two weeks to get out of E3's way (the game was originally scheduled for June 7).

Shadows of the Damned is a bizarre, horror-themed third-person shooter coming from EA Partners and a trio of well-known Japanese developers. If the names Shinji Mikami (Resident Evil), Suda 51 (No More Heroes) and Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill composer) don't ring any bells, then you really have no idea just how weird this game is going to be.

JoystiqShadows of the Damned launching on June 21, 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnersgrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3release-dateshadows-of-the-damnedshinji-mikamisuda-51xboxThu, 21 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Suda 51 would like to do No More Heroes 3, it just won't happen anytime soon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/suda-51-would-like-to-do-another-no-more-heroes-wont-happen-an/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/suda-51-would-like-to-do-another-no-more-heroes-wont-happen-an/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/suda-51-would-like-to-do-another-no-more-heroes-wont-happen-an/#comments It appears that Suda 51 thinks the odds of another No More Heroes game happening in the near future are about nil. During Grasshopper Manufacture's recent streaming event, Suda said (translation via Andriasang) he'd "like to" do another entry "at some point," but it isn't something that would happen anytime "soon." Oh, now you've got JC crying, Mr. Suda. Wonderful.

Character designer Yusuke Kozaki also offered an interesting proposition: a new game where Shinobu, the high school student by day, assassin by night who appeared in both No More Heroes and No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle is the main character. Kozaki also revealed that Grasshopper had come up with so many characters, it had enough for two more No More Heroes games. Okay, guys, now you're just being cruel!

The remainder of the event then shifted to Frog Minutes, the studio's charity iOS game. We spent some time with it, which you can read all about here.

JoystiqSuda 51 would like to do No More Heroes 3, it just won't happen anytime soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grasshopper-manufacturenintendono-more-heroes-heroes-paradiseplaystationps3suda-51Suda51ubisoftwiiyusuke-kazakiWed, 30 Mar 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Grasshopper releases free songs in memory of Japan's quake victims]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/grasshopper-releases-free-songs-in-memory-of-japans-quake-victi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/grasshopper-releases-free-songs-in-memory-of-japans-quake-victi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/grasshopper-releases-free-songs-in-memory-of-japans-quake-victi/#comments Grasshopper Manufacture has released a trio of songs produced by its audio team in remembrance of those affected by its native Japan's devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Two of the songs, "Otomodachi, as you wake" and "Otomodachi, before you sleep," were created by Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka. A third, "Otomodachi, in the afternoon," is by his GhM co-worker Tak Hiraoka.

The tracks are available for free via the dev's Facebook page. Although they don't cost a cent, consider contributing to the relief efforts of the Red Cross (redcross.org) if you like them -- or even if you don't. It's nice to be, well ... nice.

JoystiqGrasshopper releases free songs in memory of Japan's quake victims originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Akira-Yamaokacharitydisaster-relief-japanfacebookfreegrasshopper-manufactureNo-More-Heroes-2No-More-Heroes-2-Desperate-Struggleno-more-heroes-heroes-paradisered-crosssuda-51tak-hiraokaTue, 15 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Voice of the Damned: Suda 51 on being an EA Partner and surviving the Japanese market]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/voice-of-the-damned-suda-51-on-being-an-ea-partner-and-survivin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/voice-of-the-damned-suda-51-on-being-an-ea-partner-and-survivin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/voice-of-the-damned-suda-51-on-being-an-ea-partner-and-survivin/#comments At a preview event alongside GDC, EA offered the first playable demo of Grasshopper Manufacture's From Dusk Till Dawn-esque third-person shooter, Shadows of the Damned. Immediately after experiencing its floating skull sidekicks, baby-head gates, and demons in seductive-woman suits, we spoke to Grasshopper's CEO, Suda 51, and asked the first thing that came to mind: how did he convince EA to back such a strange game?

Suda, of course, understood the intention, saying that "strange equals compliment for us." And besides, "Actually, EA has always respected our punk rock style. It was really easy, and we had a lot of freedom. EA is not just a giant corporation, but they're very accepting." He said that Grasshopper pitched the game to EA -- though later in the same interview, he told us that it was at EA's request that the game became a shooter. "We wanted to do well with the Western market," Suda said, "and we wanted to have that challenge of creating shooters," and so the studio agreed.

Continue reading Voice of the Damned: Suda 51 on being an EA Partner and surviving the Japanese market

JoystiqVoice of the Damned: Suda 51 on being an EA Partner and surviving the Japanese market originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgdc-2011grasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedsuda-51xboxTue, 08 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grasshopper announcing new title next month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/grasshopper-announcing-new-title-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/grasshopper-announcing-new-title-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/grasshopper-announcing-new-title-next-month/#comments Suda51's Japanese dev studio, Grasshopper Manufacture, is working on a ton of stuff. Between Shadows of the Damned, Sine Mora, codename D and an uannounced NGP project, we have to imagine the folks at Grasshopper don't have much free time. Regardless, the studio will take a timeout on March 30 to host a Ustream event, during which Grasshopper will announce a new game -- perhaps that NGP title?

Dubbed "Grasstream 2: Travis vs. Garcia" (named for the main characters of No More Heroes and Shadows of the Damned), the event will feature frank discussion from Suda51 on Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, an acoustic performance of music from No More Heroes, the aforementioned "new game announce," and "hands-on impressions" of said game from "Vanilla Beans and model/gamer Kayo Sato." Yes, really.

Continue reading Grasshopper announcing new title next month

JoystiqGrasshopper announcing new title next month originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementgrasshopper-manufactureGrasstream-2-Travis-vs-Garciasuda-51suda51ustreamMon, 28 Feb 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadows of the Damned blood boss pours its heart out in new screenshots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/shadows-of-the-damned-blood-boss-pours-its-heart-out-in-new-scre/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/shadows-of-the-damned-blood-boss-pours-its-heart-out-in-new-scre/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/shadows-of-the-damned-blood-boss-pours-its-heart-out-in-new-scre/#comments Maybe you didn't notice, but this guy is made of blood. He's a "blood monster," if you will, and he's just one of many bosses players will face in Grasshopper Manufacture's Shadows of the Damned. More horrific V-Day screens can be found after the break.

Continue reading Shadows of the Damned blood boss pours its heart out in new screenshots

JoystiqShadows of the Damned blood boss pours its heart out in new screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedshinji-mikamisuda-51xboxMon, 14 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvelous's Wada and Kimura join Grasshopper Manufacture]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/marvelouss-wada-and-kimura-join-grasshopper-manufacture/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/marvelouss-wada-and-kimura-join-grasshopper-manufacture/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/marvelouss-wada-and-kimura-join-grasshopper-manufacture/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Grasshopper Manufacture has added even more talent to its roster, according to a report from the latest Famitsu. Yasuhiro Wada, former president of Marvelous Interactive (and creator of Harvest Moon), and Little King's Story director Yoshiro Kimura, have joined Suda 51's team as chief operating officer and chief creative officer, respectively.

"We haven't released a single [original] title in the past year, which is something that caused a lot of regret in my mind," Suda told Famitsu (according to 1UP's translation). "Having these two people join Grasshopper will make us a more sturdily-organized company, and it'll improve our development, technical, and release skills." Both have previously worked as producers for Grasshopper games, including both No More Heroes. Suda suggested that the new hires could help Grasshopper expand into new genres, including games for all ages.

JoystiqMarvelous's Wada and Kimura join Grasshopper Manufacture originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grasshopper-manufactureLittle-Kings-Storysuda-51yasuhiro-wadayoshiro-kimuraWed, 13 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect comes to XBLA, Microsoft Game Studios reveals five Japanese titles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/kinect-comes-to-xbla-microsoft-game-studios-reveals-five-japane/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/kinect-comes-to-xbla-microsoft-game-studios-reveals-five-japane/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/kinect-comes-to-xbla-microsoft-game-studios-reveals-five-japane/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft Game Studios unveiled five new Japanese partnerships during its Tokyo Game Show 2010 keynote today, each intended to "provide fun for users throughout the world." Takashi Sensui, general manager of Xbox in Japan, claimed the projects would "define the future of Xbox 360 and Kinect" -- a future that now promises Kinect-enabled Xbox Live Arcade games.

Out of the five new XBLA-exclusive games announced today, three will use Kinect: Haunt, a spooky adventure from Parappa the Rappa's Masaya Matsuura; Project Codename D, a stylish new endeavor from Grasshopper Manufacture's Suda 51; and Project Draco, a Panzer Dragoon-esque flight game from Phantom Dust creator Yukio Futatsugi. These will join third-party Kinect games Child of Eden, Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor and Rise of Nightmares in 2011.

Microsoft also revealed Fire-Pro Wrestling from Spike, and a new version of Radiant Silvergun from Treasure (much to the chagrin of eBay profiteers). Both are coming to XBLA in 2011.

JoystiqKinect comes to XBLA, Microsoft Game Studios reveals five Japanese titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>child-of-edencodename-ddiabolical-pitchfire-pro-wrestlinghauntjapankinectmasaya-matsuuramicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosproject-dracoradiant-silvergunrise-of-nightmaressteel-battalion-heavy-armorsuda-51takashi-sensuitgs-2010xblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeyukio-futatsugiThu, 16 Sep 2010 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Codename D revealed as Suda 51 Kinect game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/codename-d-revealed-as-suda-51-kinect-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/codename-d-revealed-as-suda-51-kinect-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/codename-d-revealed-as-suda-51-kinect-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

No More Heroes and Killer 7 auteur Suda 51 is a busy, busy boy this TGS. During the Microsoft Press Conference the Grasshopper Manufacture head announced the studio is working on a Kinect game entitled Codename D. Mr. 51 stated that the game will not feature guns or swords but will be a core action game. The brief trailer showed a lot of things exploding and a Suda dose of weirdness. The game is scheduled for 2011.

Gallery: Codename D (Kinect)

JoystiqCodename D revealed as Suda 51 Kinect game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Codename-Ddiabolical-pitchgrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftSuda-51xboxWed, 15 Sep 2010 23:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadows of the Damned announcement trailer enters the light]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/shadow-of-the-damned-announcement-trailer-enters-light/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/shadow-of-the-damned-announcement-trailer-enters-light/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/shadow-of-the-damned-announcement-trailer-enters-light/#comments Shadows of the Damned, a new "psychological action thriller" from EA Partners, Grasshopper Manufacture's Suda 51 and Platinum's Shinji Mikami was just announced at TGS -- and now it has a spiffy trailer. Check out the footage featuring the "hunter of demons," whose "wrath is your hell," after the break.

Gallery: Shadows of the Damned

Continue reading Shadows of the Damned announcement trailer enters the light

JoystiqShadows of the Damned announcement trailer enters the light originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnersmicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedsuda-51xboxWed, 15 Sep 2010 07:18:00 EST<![CDATA['Shadows of the Damned' is the long-awaited Suda/Mikami/EA Partners collaboration]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/is-the-long-awaited-suda-mikami-ea-partners-collaboration/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/is-the-long-awaited-suda-mikami-ea-partners-collaboration/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/is-the-long-awaited-suda-mikami-ea-partners-collaboration/#commentsFiled under: , ,

"We've had you waiting for a long time." Grasshopper Manufacture's Suda 51 and Platinum's Shinji Mikami took the stage at EA's TGS showcase to reveal Shadows of the Damned, a new "psychological action thriller" from EA's Partners division. According to Suda, he and Mikami wanted to make this game for a long time, and searched for the right publisher to bring it to a global audience. "Finally, today, we can reveal our game that we've been working on together with EA," he said. The game is expected to release in 2011.

EA Partners announced this new horror franchise in August 2008, under the direction of game "auteurs" Suda and Shinji Mikami. Since then, Grasshopper has increased its roster of stars with musician Akira Yamaoka and designer Kazutoshi Iida, released No More Heroes 2, and announced the downloadable Sine Mora.

in this game, a character named Garcia travels to Hell to rescue his love. Hopefully, this will be a bit classier than Dante's Inferno...

Update: Trailer now available.

Joystiq'Shadows of the Damned' is the long-awaited Suda/Mikami/EA Partners collaboration originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnerselectronic-artsgrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedshinji-mikamisuda-51tgs-2010xboxWed, 15 Sep 2010 05:00:00 EST