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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The first taste of Super Meat Boy mobile art]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-first-taste-of-super-meat-boy-mobile-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-first-taste-of-super-meat-boy-mobile-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-first-taste-of-super-meat-boy-mobile-art/#comments ImageEdmund McMillen of Team Meat has so far been coy about what the mobile version of Super Meat Boy is, but he's fairly vocal about what it isn't. Super Meat Boy: The Game won't be a shallow, easy-to-play money-making machine like so many other mobile titles today, McMillen writes in his latest update. He even tells us a little bit about what it will be:
"We want to make a game that WE would love to see on the platform, a feature-length reflex-driven platformer with solid controls that doesn't manipulate you with business bullshit in order to cash in. We want SMB:TG to show the player we respect them, not only by not manipulating them, but also by understanding they want a real challenge and they want a real sense of fulfillment when they have achieved something that's difficult... you know, like real games do."
Team Meat has also revealed the first bit of art from Super Meat Boy: The Game, the chapter screen for The Green Hills you can see above. McMillen assures us that even though there are only eight visible level pads, the mobile title "will rival the original" and have dark worlds.

JoystiqThe first taste of Super Meat Boy mobile art originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edmund-mcmillenmobilesuper-meat-boyteam-meatMon, 07 May 2012 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy mobile to be twitch-based, but 'not about memorization']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/super-meat-boy-mobile-to-be-twitch-based-but-not-about-memoriz/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/super-meat-boy-mobile-to-be-twitch-based-but-not-about-memoriz/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/30/super-meat-boy-mobile-to-be-twitch-based-but-not-about-memoriz/#comments Team Meat's Edmund McMillen has made some more comments as he goes mobile with a completely new version of Super Meat Boy. According to McMillen, Canabalt is providing some basic inspiration for development.

"Canabalt is closer to what we're thinking about. But Canabalt is very surface-level stuff," McMillen told Polygon. "[The original] Meat Boy was a twitch-based game about memorizing things. [iOS] Meat Boy is the opposite. That's the foundation of its design. But it's also on a touch device, so there's that as well. We want to make a twitch-based platformer that's not about memorization."

As for the art style - the mobile version forgoes the pixels for a more hand-drawn look - McMillen says the more "gentle" approach allows Team Meat to lull players in, only to surprise them with some shocking visuals. "I'm happy about the art style. The more gentle and nice we make it look, the more vicious the story can be. Wouldn't it be so awesome to bait kids in with this happy little Meat Boy thing and then, the ending of the first chapter, instead of the squirrel getting his head knocked off, Meat Boy gets his face sawed in half? Like a skinned looking face looking at the screen?"

Ultimately, McMillen said, "My goal is to scare the shit out of my three-year-old nephew."

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy mobile to be twitch-based, but 'not about memorization' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemobilesuper-meat-boyteam-meatMon, 30 Apr 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mobile Super Meat Boy may look something like this, may not]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/mobile-super-meat-boy-may-look-something-like-this-may-not/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/mobile-super-meat-boy-may-look-something-like-this-may-not/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/mobile-super-meat-boy-may-look-something-like-this-may-not/#comments
Above is the first proper look at the prototype, "probably going to change a lot" vision of Super Meat Boy on iOS. No, this isn't an April Fools' joke, unless Team Meat have decided to reveal sensible, already-announced information as part of its months-long ruse to get everyone excited for mobile SMB before stripping it away entirely -- a plan they decided to ditch once they realized what a genuinely good idea that is. However, we really don't think that's the case here.

In February Team Meat's Edmund McMillen divulged the first details of SMB on iOS, saying that if the idea was good enough, they would create it as an entirely new game without the "shitty touch controls" standard in most mobile touchscreen titles. Looks like the idea was good enough.

Mobile SMB is "a feature-length touch-controlled platformer SPECIFICALLY designed for Touch devices," McMillen wrote today, continuing to say it isn't "a shitty port of an existing game with non-tactile buttons spread all over the screen blocking the player's view and making for frustrating controls" or "the Super Meat Boy you're used to: There are aspects of Super Meat Boy in there, obviously, but this is a brand new game with new art, new sound, everything."

JoystiqMobile Super Meat Boy may look something like this, may not originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edmund-mcmilleniosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcsuper-meat-boyteam-meattommy-refenestouchscreenxboxSun, 01 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy's super boys explain what it means to go mobile]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/super-meat-boys-super-boys-explain-what-it-means-to-go-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/super-meat-boys-super-boys-explain-what-it-means-to-go-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/super-meat-boys-super-boys-explain-what-it-means-to-go-mobile/#comments Yesterday Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes of Team Meat dropped a gigantic, raw bomb on Twitter (gross), announcing their plans to strip down Super Meat Boy and rebuild it completely for mobile touch devices. They were vague on details apart from an intent to create a brand new game in the Super Meat Boy universe, and that they definitely wouldn't use "shitty touch controls."

We thought they were being coy, but it turns out they don't know much more about the touchscreen version than we do. It's still in the engine phase of development, McMillen told Joystiq, and they're pretty much winging it, playing with things that work and throwing out ideas that don't -- even if that includes the entire game.

"I mean, honestly, this is simply a challenge for us," McMillen said. "It's easy to poo-poo a new system because of its horrible use of touchscreen on ported titles; it's harder to attempt to try and figure out a design that works and make something worth checking out.

"So that's basically what we are doing -- no idea how it will turn out -- but Tommy and I wanted to jump back into dev again with something that isn't going to take a year-plus to make, so prototyping this idea seemed most appropriate and inspired."

Continue reading Super Meat Boy's super boys explain what it means to go mobile

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy's super boys explain what it means to go mobile originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidedmund-mcmilleniosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcprototypesuper-meat-boyteam-meattommy-refenestouchscreenxboxFri, 10 Feb 2012 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy to be torn apart, rebuilt for touchscreen devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/super-meat-boy-to-be-torn-apart-rebuilt-for-touchscreen-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/super-meat-boy-to-be-torn-apart-rebuilt-for-touchscreen-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/super-meat-boy-to-be-torn-apart-rebuilt-for-touchscreen-devices/#comments Super Meat Boy has seen success on Xbox Live, PC and Mac, but as is often the case while playing SMB, Team Meat have decided that's not good enough. Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes of Team Meat announced via Twitter today that they're rebuilding Super Meat Boy from scratch for a potential launch on mobile touch devices.

In a six-part tweetfest, Team Meat disclosed the following details: The touch title will be remade from scratch and won't play like Super Meat Boy; it will be a larger, more traditional game, unlike titles such as Doodle Jump; and they promised it won't use "shitty touch controls."

"if you liked SMB im sure you will enjoy this (if its good enough to continue on :) ) we just had a few cool ideas and wanted a challange," one of Team Meat's tweets reads.

Team Meat said that if the project fails and turns out to not be any fun, they'll scrap it and move on to the next idea, which we can only assume is a Super Meat Boy live-action point-and-click adventure title in 3D. Those adventure things are all the rage these days, we're told.

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy to be torn apart, rebuilt for touchscreen devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edmund-mcmillenmacmicrosoftmobilepcprototypesuper-meat-boyteam-meattommy-refenestouchtwitterxboxThu, 09 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Everything's happening now:' Indie Game: The Movie at Sundance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/everythings-happening-now-indie-game-the-movie-at-sundance/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/everythings-happening-now-indie-game-the-movie-at-sundance/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/everythings-happening-now-indie-game-the-movie-at-sundance/#comments In many ways, documentaries are not truly tools for documenting events. Instead, many documentaries choose to delve into the minds of their subjects, presenting not documentation, but something else entirely -- an up-close trip into the human psyche.

During one such moment from Indie Game: The Movie, which I caught at a screening at the Sundance film festival, game designer Phil Fish states that if he couldn't finish his long-awaited game Fez, he would commit suicide. The camera remains on him for an awkward moment, and the line draws a number of uncomfortable chuckles from the audience. He seems to rethink his outrageous statement and then states once more: "I will kill myself."

This attitude for the most part represents the majority of the film. Focusing primarily on the development and production of Fez and Super Meat Boy, Indie Game is really the story of obsessed developers pouring their insecurities and hearts and souls into a game, without leaving much, if anything, for themselves.

Gallery: Indie Game: The Movie

Continue reading 'Everything's happening now:' Indie Game: The Movie at Sundance

Joystiq'Everything's happening now:' Indie Game: The Movie at Sundance originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>braidedmund-mcmillenFezindie-game-the-moviejames-swirskyjon-blowjonathan-blowlisanne-pajotsundance-film-festivalsundance-film-festival-2012super-meat-boyteam-meattommy-refenesMon, 30 Jan 2012 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie Game: The Movie: The HBO series, produced by Scott Rudin [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/22/indie-game-the-movie-the-hbo-comedy-series-produced-by-scott/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/22/indie-game-the-movie-the-hbo-comedy-series-produced-by-scott/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/22/indie-game-the-movie-the-hbo-comedy-series-produced-by-scott/#comments


Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky's Indie Game: The Movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend, and already it's gaining mainstream attention. High-profile producer Scott Rudin (The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and HBO have optioned for the rights to Indie Game: The Movie, with plans to develop it as a half-hour fictional series, with Rudin as executive producer, Deadline New York reports.

We picture Super Meat Boy's Edmund McMillen and FEZ's Phil Fish as a hilariously unfit buddy-cop duo patrolling the mean streets of Hoboken, New Jersey with an 8-bit-animated talking-dog sidekick. We picture that, but we really hope it's not the case -- the trailers for Indie Game: The Movie suggest a classier vibe, although if Trent Reznor signs on to compose the HBO series' soundtrack, we may expect to see a very different side indie development, indeed.

Update: Pajot and Swirsky have clarified the original report, which stated the possible HBO show would be a comedy series, and apparently the joke's on us. "HBO has optioned IGTM for the basis of a (fictional) series," Pajot and Swirsky write on the Indie Game: The Movie Facebook page. "It is NOT a comedy. It is NOT a sitcom." We're all sleeping better tonight.

JoystiqIndie Game: The Movie: The HBO series, produced by Scott Rudin [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hboindie-game-the-movieJames-SwirskyLisanne-PajotScott-Rudinsundancesundance-film-festivalsuper-meat-boySun, 22 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choice Piano Cuts, a Super Meat Boy piano tribute album]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/choice-piano-cuts-a-super-meat-boy-piano-tribute-album/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/choice-piano-cuts-a-super-meat-boy-piano-tribute-album/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/choice-piano-cuts-a-super-meat-boy-piano-tribute-album/#comments Remember Brent Kennedy, the guy who created those wonderful piano arrangements of the Super Meat Boy soundtrack early last year? Well, it looks like we weren't the only people impressed by his work: Super Meat Boy's composer, Danny Baranowsky, has been working with Kennedy for nearly a year, and the two have recently released the fruits of their labors on Baranowsky's Bandcamp profile.

Super Meat Boy! - Choice Piano Cuts is a $4.99 (or more, if you're feeling generous) collection of 10 tracks from the SMB soundtrack, composed by Baranowsky and arranged/performed by Kennedy. The purchase also includes a PDF of the Kennedy's sheet music for the entire album, which in itself is well worth the price of admission for the musically inclined out there.

The soundtrack's original arrangements are great and everything, don't get us wrong, but there's a deeper level to Baranowsky's skill as a composer that's exceptionally brought to life by Kennedy's mastery of the ivory keys. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.

JoystiqChoice Piano Cuts, a Super Meat Boy piano tribute album originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arrangementBrent-KennedyChoice-Piano-CutsDanny-Baranowskymacmicrosoftmusicpcpianopiano-arrangementpiano-coversplaystationps3soundtracksuper-meat-boySuper-Meat-Boy-Choice-Piano-Cutsteam-meatxboxWed, 04 Jan 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy surpasses 1 million sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/super-meat-boy-surpasses-1-million-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/super-meat-boy-surpasses-1-million-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/super-meat-boy-surpasses-1-million-sales/#comments The little infuriating platformer that could, Super Meat Boy, has surpassed a million sales. The announcement was made late yesterday by Team Meat on Twitter. Super Meat Boy passed the milestone last month, maintaining a healthy sales clip since jumping past 600,000 customers last April.

Super Meat Boy made our top ten games of 2010, deftly leaping into a not-so-deadly fifth place.

Gallery: Super Meat Boy (screens)

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy surpasses 1 million sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmicrosoftpcsuper-meat-boyteam-meatxboxTue, 03 Jan 2012 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Indie Bundle 4 earns $2 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/humble-indie-bundle-4-earns-2-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/humble-indie-bundle-4-earns-2-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/humble-indie-bundle-4-earns-2-million/#comments It's true: Humble Indie Bundle 4 is the most appealing one yet. Bundle 4 added five earlier games (and their soundtracks) this week and has now earned more than $2 million.

It's becoming less and less surprising to report these bundles are earning millions of dollars. Back in October, the Humble Frozen Synapse Bundle earned $1 million, and Humble Indie Bundle 3 surpassed $2 million in the final hours of its existence. The quality of the games being offered is a big draw, but it's clear that the bundle creators haven't lost sight of their inclusive approach to customers.

JoystiqHumble Indie Bundle 4 earns $2 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>humble-indie-bundlehumble-indie-bundle-4macpcsuper-meat-boySun, 25 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Indie Bundle 4 abused by Scrooge-like Steam scamming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/humble-indie-bundle-4-abused-by-scrooge-like-steam-scamming/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/humble-indie-bundle-4-abused-by-scrooge-like-steam-scamming/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/humble-indie-bundle-4-abused-by-scrooge-like-steam-scamming/#comments This is how nice things like Humble Indie Bundles stop happening: the Humble Indie Bundle 4, which also supports charities like the Red Cross and Child's Play, has people abusing the system for grinchy gain. Here's how the scam worked: oogie-boogies purchased the bundle for a penny, then used the Steam codes from the bundle "to 'legitimize' automated Steam accounts in order to increase their odds of winning prizes in Valve's current raffle promotion."

"This is unfair to legitimate entrants and is definitely not what we wanted to encourage with Humble Indie Bundle 4," wrote organizers on the Humble Bundle blog. "It's a lose-lose situation for the indie developers, charities, Valve, and Humble Bundle."

New orders now have a required purchase price of $1 to obtain Steam keys. For those who can't afford the dollar (*glares at your $5 mocha*), a Steam key can be provided by contacting the support team and promising "not to resell" or "otherwise abuse it."

It's a fair compromise to a sad situation that shouldn't have happened in the first place.

JoystiqHumble Indie Bundle 4 abused by Scrooge-like Steam scamming originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abusecharityhumble-indie-bundlehumble-indie-bundle-4pcsteamsuper-meat-boyThu, 22 Dec 2011 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Indie Bundle 4 adds free soundtracks for every game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/humble-indie-bundle-4-adds-free-soundtracks-for-every-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/humble-indie-bundle-4-adds-free-soundtracks-for-every-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/humble-indie-bundle-4-adds-free-soundtracks-for-every-game/#comments Er, not every game ever -- that'd be impossible, you guys. We're talking soundtracks for every game in the fourth Humble Indie Bundle: Gratuitous Space Battles, Cave Story+, Jamestown, Bit.Trip Runner, Super Meat Boy, Shank and Nightsky HD.

The soundtracks are free to anyone who pays above the current average for the Bundle and, as usual, to anyone who's already purchased the bundle. You can snag them in mp3 format or, in the case of Super Meat Boy and Nightsky HD, also in FLAC.

JoystiqHumble Indie Bundle 4 adds free soundtracks for every game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bit-Trip-Runnercave-storyGratuitous-space-battleshumble-indie-bundlejamestownmacnightskypcshanksuper-meat-boyFri, 16 Dec 2011 22:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Indie Bundle 4 revealed, nab Meat Boy, Shank, Jamestown and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/humble-indie-bundle-4-revealed-nab-meat-boy-shank-jamestown-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/humble-indie-bundle-4-revealed-nab-meat-boy-shank-jamestown-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/humble-indie-bundle-4-revealed-nab-meat-boy-shank-jamestown-a/#comments As if you didn't already have enough fantastic games to play from this past year, the Humble Indie Bundle crew have made it their mission to completely overwhelm you with excellence. The fourth and latest package from the altruistic organization features an unparalleled lineup which includes Super Meat Boy, BIT.TRIP.RUNNER, Jamestown, Nightsky and Shank -- are and if you beat the average price with your choose-your-own-donation-level, you'll also grab Gratuitous Space Battles and Cave Story+. Note that all of these are PC, Mac and Linux compatible; a new feature for Jamestown and Shank.

As always, you can choose which portion of your donations go to the developers, to the charities (Child's Play and the Red Cross!) and to the Humble Indie Bundle platform itself. We think we speak for everyone when we say that this is an insane value that you'd be insane to pass up, you insane person.

[Update: Tim Ambrogi from Philly-based Jamestown-dev Final Form Games told us, "It's been our goal since launch to reach as many gamers as possible, so a Mac and Linux port were always our plan if we could afford the resources to develop them. Humble Bundle presented us with a cost/benefit proposition that made creating them now a low-risk decision." That's your money hard at work, people!]

JoystiqHumble Indie Bundle 4 revealed, nab Meat Boy, Shank, Jamestown and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bit-Trip-Runnerhumble-indie-bundlejamestownpcsuper-meat-boyteam-meatTue, 13 Dec 2011 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy anniversary video with Team Meat commentary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/super-meat-boy-anniversary-video-with-team-meat-commentary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/super-meat-boy-anniversary-video-with-team-meat-commentary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/super-meat-boy-anniversary-video-with-team-meat-commentary/#comments
The important info: This video features Team Meat (Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes) delivering commentary over an hour-long Light World run in Super Meat Boy. The more entertaining info: Said video is introduced by upside down chin people.

In other meat-related news, the Mac version of Super Meat Boy has been updated on Steam. The update fixes some crash bugs and also adds control options and command line inputs for 1920x1080 resolution and full screen.

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy anniversary video with Team Meat commentary originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmicrosoftpcsuper-meat-boyxboxTue, 29 Nov 2011 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie Game Music Bundle adds 4 more albums, today is the last day]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/indie-game-music-bundle-adds-4-more-albums-today-is-the-last-da/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/indie-game-music-bundle-adds-4-more-albums-today-is-the-last-da/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/indie-game-music-bundle-adds-4-more-albums-today-is-the-last-da/#comments So much music Okay, maybe 17 indie game music albums for $10 - including the likes of Super Meat Boy, The Binding of Isaac, Minecraft, VVVVVV, A.R.E.S. and many more - just wasn't a sweet enough deal for you. Okay, how about 21 albums for $10? The Indie Game Music Bundle is now offering just that, thanks to the addition of four new albums: Circle (soundtrack for an unreleased game), Cardboard Box Assembler, Songs for the Cure and Bite Jacker.

For the pay-what-you-want price of $10 or more, you get downloads of all 21 albums from Bandcamp, including high quality FLAC files for all the audiophiles out there. You'd best snag 'em quick though - as of this post, the sale only has about 12 hours to go.

JoystiqIndie Game Music Bundle adds 4 more albums, today is the last day originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arescobaltindie-game-music-bundleminecraftmusicsuper-meat-boyvvvvvvMon, 28 Nov 2011 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft discounts Super Meat Boy, other content across its platforms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/microsoft-discounts-super-meat-boy-other-content-across-its-pla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/microsoft-discounts-super-meat-boy-other-content-across-its-pla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/microsoft-discounts-super-meat-boy-other-content-across-its-pla/#comments This week, Microsoft is offering discounts across Xbox Live, Windows PC and its mobile platforms. It's being billed as a fan appreciation sale and we're sure Microsoft would appreciate if its fans spent money. It's kinda how these things go.

Highlights include Super Meat Boy for $5, a few discounted add-ons for Left 4 Dead 2 and Homefront, half-off Indie Games titles Flotilla and Weapon of Choice, and a few PC and mobile joints for good measure. If you want to spend, there's a good chance you can find something to spend money on here. The only thing we'd suggest is that perhaps you hold off on the five different premium Xbox 360 themes available. There's no word on whether or not they'll be compatible with your new Dashboard next month.

JoystiqMicrosoft discounts Super Meat Boy, other content across its platforms originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>games-for-windowsgames-for-windows-liveindie-gamesmicrosoftmobilesuper-meat-boywindows-pcwindows-phone-7xblmxboxxbox-liveWed, 23 Nov 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy gets Steam-sponsored bundle, new content and Mac version coming this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/super-meat-boy-gets-steam-sponsored-bundle-new-content-and-mac/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/super-meat-boy-gets-steam-sponsored-bundle-new-content-and-mac/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/super-meat-boy-gets-steam-sponsored-bundle-new-content-and-mac/#comments As if you didn't already have enough to play this holiday season, Steam is offering up a special anniversary bundle to celebrate Super Meat Boy's first birthday. By laying down $24.99 anytime from now until November 21, you get a bundle with some of the best Steam games of the last few years, everything from Half-Life 2 to the Bit.Trip titles, Braid, Machinarium, World of Goo, Gish, VVVVVV, and Super Meat Boy itself. There are also soundtracks included in the bundle for Super Meat Boy, Braid, Machinarium, Bit.Trip Beat, and Bit.Trip Runner. Super Meat Boy by its lonesome is 50% off as well.

And even if you already own all of those games (and let's be honest -- after all of these Steam sales, we probably all do), this coming Saturday Team Meat will finally unlock "Super Meat World" for all players who have ever owned the game, bringing in tons and tons of user-created levels to play. The Mac version of the game is getting released as well, which means anyone who's ever bought the game on Steam will have access to that port too.

In other words, if you've ever wanted to play Super Meat Boy on a computer, now's your chance, and if you already own it you're getting a whole lot of new content. Thanks a lot, Team Meat. We'll never get all of these games finished now.

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy gets Steam-sponsored bundle, new content and Mac version coming this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundlecontentmacpcsteamsuper-meat-boysuper-meat-worldThu, 17 Nov 2011 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy goes on sale on XBLA next month, more 'Teh Internets' levels coming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/super-meat-boy-goes-on-sale-on-xbla-next-month-more-teh-intern/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/super-meat-boy-goes-on-sale-on-xbla-next-month-more-teh-intern/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/super-meat-boy-goes-on-sale-on-xbla-next-month-more-teh-intern/#comments In honor of the first anniversary of Super Meat Boy's release on Xbox Live Arcade, Team Meat is planning to drop the price of the tenderizing hardcore platformer. The game will go on sale sometime next month ("so save your points," the team notes). The price hasn't been set, but it'll be less than the full price of 1,200 points, and thus better.

Next month will also see a free update adding "tons" more levels to Super Meat Boy's "Teh Internets" area. To keep you occupied until then, you can send Team Meat a picture of you "dressed up as something Meat Boy related for halloween" for a shot at copies of all three Super Meat Boy comic books.

Please don't put raw meat all over your body.

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy goes on sale on XBLA next month, more 'Teh Internets' levels coming originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftsuper-meat-boyteam-meatteh-internetsxblaxboxMon, 24 Oct 2011 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Team Meat teasing Mac/Linux version of SMB with anniversary celebration]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/team-meat-teasing-mac-linux-version-with-anniversary-celebration/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/team-meat-teasing-mac-linux-version-with-anniversary-celebration/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/team-meat-teasing-mac-linux-version-with-anniversary-celebration/#comments Super Meat Boy is coming up on his birthday, and his two dads are celebrating the only way a dad can mark any milestone: A really great mug. They're $15 and frankly they're just adorable. But friends, we didn't entice you here with promises of new drinkware choices, no, you want to know about the possibility of SMB on Mac or Linux. Fair enough.

While teasing the SMB birthday festivities (planned throughout November) Team Meat's Tommy Refenes wrote "perhaps you non-PC people will finally get what you are constantly bugging us for," which sounds an awful lot like the arrival of the aforementioned ports.

Usually, we'd have to be pretty desperate to cook up meat that's a week old, let alone a full year, but we'll make an exception in this case. (Other exception: Stew. You put some year-old meat in a pot, add some broth, a potato, baby, you got a stew going.)

JoystiqTeam Meat teasing Mac/Linux version of SMB with anniversary celebration originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>linuxmacsuper-meat-boyteam-meatMon, 12 Sep 2011 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Team Meat bashes MS, Zen Studios hits Meat, both have lunch date in Bay Area]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/team-meat-bashes-ms-zen-studios-hits-meat-both-have-lunch-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/team-meat-bashes-ms-zen-studios-hits-meat-both-have-lunch-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/team-meat-bashes-ms-zen-studios-hits-meat-both-have-lunch-date/#comments The right to a personal opinion is the crux of humanity, freedom and guns, and Team Meat and Zen Studios are exercising their liberties to the fullest. Super Meat Boy's Team Meat has been vocal about its displeasure with developing for Microsoft's Game Feast promotion in 2010, and raised the issue again on the IndieGames Podcast this month.

Team Meat say Super Meat Boy didn't receive the promotion it was verbally promised, which was supposed to include a review from Major Nelson and an exclusive launch week. Neither happened, and McMillen promises that Indie Game: The Movie captures much of Team Meat's Microsoft frustration, including what felt like being tortured in a concentration camp (IndieGames Podcast 27:35).

Continue reading Team Meat bashes MS, Zen Studios hits Meat, both have lunch date in Bay Area

JoystiqTeam Meat bashes MS, Zen Studios hits Meat, both have lunch date in Bay Area originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-feastmicrosoftpinball-fx-2super-meat-boyteam-meatXBLAxboxZen-StudiosFri, 09 Sep 2011 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy UK Ultra Edition revealed, extra meaty]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/super-meat-boy-uk-ultra-edition-revealed-extra-meaty/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/super-meat-boy-uk-ultra-edition-revealed-extra-meaty/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/super-meat-boy-uk-ultra-edition-revealed-extra-meaty/#comments
Lace Mamba Global has revealed the contents of its previously announced special boxed edition of Super Meat Boy. The Super Meat Boy Ultra Edition is headed to the UK and Ireland and, along with the game, will also include a 40-page comic and sketch book, a poster and a download of the game's soundtrack. For a few more bones, players can pick up the Ultra Rare Edition, which includes everything from the Ultra Edition to a snazzy Super Meat Boy T-Shirt.

The Super Meat Boy Ultra Edition will be priced at £19.99, while the Ultra Rare Edition will run £24.99. Both will hit UK and Irish retail on August 26.

Gallery: Super Meat Boy Ultra Rare Edition

Continue reading Super Meat Boy UK Ultra Edition revealed, extra meaty

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy UK Ultra Edition revealed, extra meaty originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lace-mamba-globalpcsuper-meat-boyteam-meatFri, 22 Jul 2011 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Team Meat's McMillen working on new game, The Binding of Isaac]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/the-binding-of-isaac-team-meats-mcmillen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/the-binding-of-isaac-team-meats-mcmillen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/the-binding-of-isaac-team-meats-mcmillen/#comments Edmund McMillen, one half of Team Meat (the dev duo behind Super Meat Boy), has been working on a secret undertaking called The Binding of Isaac. The side project, which has nothing to do with Team Meat's next "feature length" project, finds McMillen working with programmer Florian Himsl (Coil, Triachnid, C word), and a score by Danny Baranowsky (Canabalt, Super Meat Boy, Cave Story 3D).

McMillen plans to reveal release date and platforms when the title is finished in about a month. The only hints we get for now are, "It's a play on my favorite game of all time," and that it's a roguelike. He hopes to share more information next week.

JoystiqTeam Meat's McMillen working on new game, The Binding of Isaac originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edmund-mcmillenpcsuper-meat-boyteam-meatthe-binding-of-isaacFri, 08 Jul 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy, Magicka, Darksiders, and more in today's Steam Summer Sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/super-meat-boy-magicka-darksiders-and-more-in-todays-steam-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/super-meat-boy-magicka-darksiders-and-more-in-todays-steam-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/super-meat-boy-magicka-darksiders-and-more-in-todays-steam-s/#comments Still wondering what that whole Super Meat Boy thing is about? It's about $7.50 today, as part of Steam's Summer Camp Sale. Other big games you can get for tiny sums today include Plants vs. Zombies ($3.39), Magicka ($3.39), and Darksiders ($4.99).

If you're trying to win "tickets" to earn prizes during the Steam promotion, today's activities have you performing specific tasks in Magicka, Hoard, Jolly Rover, Super Meat Boy, and Garshasp: The Monster Slayer. Surprisingly, the challenge in the last one is more involved than just saying the word "Garshasp" without getting the giggles.

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy, Magicka, Darksiders, and more in today's Steam Summer Sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macpcsteamsteam-summer-sale-2011super-meat-boySat, 02 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Eat up these scraps from Super Meat Boy's cutting room floor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/18/eat-up-these-scraps-from-super-meat-boys-cutting-room-floor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/18/eat-up-these-scraps-from-super-meat-boys-cutting-room-floor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/18/eat-up-these-scraps-from-super-meat-boys-cutting-room-floor/#comments Though Super Meat Boy is a rather beefy downloadable title by every conceivable definition of the word, there were actually a few more features which didn't make it into the final cut. Team Meat recently posted a cornucopia of these deleted scraps on its blog, including a handful of unimplemented characters, a few deadly traps and a cheeky intro cutscene for Braid's borrowed protagonist, Tim. (Man, what a creepy guy.)

Check out all the features on Team Meat's blog, and lament the fact that Cave Story's Quote wasn't added to the final game's roster. Man, that game would have been so much easier with a jetpack and a machine gun.

JoystiqEat up these scraps from Super Meat Boy's cutting room floor originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3super-meat-boyteam-meatxboxSat, 18 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy Steam update adds the Unknown]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/super-meat-boy-steam-update-adds-the-unknown/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/super-meat-boy-steam-update-adds-the-unknown/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/super-meat-boy-steam-update-adds-the-unknown/#comments There's nothing random about Super Meat Boy's highly regimented gauntlet of intricate murder machines and carefully measured series of gaps. However, the challenging platformer's latest Steam update has thrown a bit of chance into the mix: Players can now "Enter the Unknown" via the game's main menu, which creates a full 20-level chapter for them to play through using a random selection of levels picked from the Super Meat World portal.

The update also adds a chapter recommendation feature, as well as a new navigation option that lets you rank levels based on their fun or difficulty -- two metrics which players can vote on after playing through a chapter. We think these two features will dovetail quite nicely considering our auspicious lack of skill at Super Meat Boy, as we've always wanted recommendations for the title's least soul-crushing levels.

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy Steam update adds the Unknown originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 May 2011 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcsteamsuper-meat-boysuper-meat-worldteam-meatupdateTue, 31 May 2011 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy level editor video tutorial will teach you a thing or two]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/07/super-meat-boy-level-editor-video-tutorial-will-teach-you-a-thin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/07/super-meat-boy-level-editor-video-tutorial-will-teach-you-a-thin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/07/super-meat-boy-level-editor-video-tutorial-will-teach-you-a-thin/#comments Though you might expect the Super Meat Boy level editor to be a complete breeze -- put some blocks there, fifty saws there, and done! -- it's actually a pretty intricate authoring tool. Check out the six videos after the jump for an hour-long tutorial on how to make your very own deathtraps.

Continue reading Super Meat Boy level editor video tutorial will teach you a thing or two

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy level editor video tutorial will teach you a thing or two originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>level-editorpcsuper-meat-boyteam-meattutorialSat, 07 May 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy level editor released, 'FINALLY']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/super-meat-boy-level-editor-released-finally/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/super-meat-boy-level-editor-released-finally/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/super-meat-boy-level-editor-released-finally/#comments "We always wanted to release a basic level editor" for Super Meat Boy, Team Meat's Edmund McMillen writes in an emailed announcement, "but the idea started to balloon when we decided to buy servers and program a fully automated level portal (Super Meat World) to support these levels as a bonus chapter for the PC version." Needless to say, it's taken a while for the two-man team to complete the free add-on. But ...

The level editor is "FINALLY out on Steam!" McMillen rejoiced.

Technically, the editor is in beta release -- "and probably will be for a very long time," McMillen notes in a blog post -- so users may encounter "minor issues." Still, with the exception of boss battles and warp zones, the editor can be used to create "anything you see in game," and even package such torturous levels into a complete chapter of pain.

"So think of this as a thank you to all the awesome fans who sent us cool shit, nice emails and created amazing levels with devmode," the ever-irreverent McMillen concludes in his post, "if you bitched us out because the free level editor was delayed, you should probably not update your game and burn in hell."

McMillen added in his email that Super Meat World would be updated next week to add a few "missing" features and fix some bugs with the editor. "After that we will be closing the book on the PC version, porting SMB to Mac and swiftly moving on to game #2."

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy level editor released, 'FINALLY' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 May 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaedmund-mcmillenlevel-editorpcsteamsuper-meat-boysuper-meat-worldteam-meatThu, 05 May 2011 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy Ultra Edition coming to Europe and Australia]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/super-meat-boy-ultra-edition-coming-to-europe-and-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/super-meat-boy-ultra-edition-coming-to-europe-and-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/super-meat-boy-ultra-edition-coming-to-europe-and-australia/#comments A recent press release published by video game distributor Lace Mamba Global is ... well, it's the best thing we've ever read. Imagine you've never heard of Super Meat Boy before, okay? It would seem like a pretty cut-and-dry announcement: "Lace Mamba Global is proud to announce that it is bringing the Ultra Edition of the independently developed gaming blockbuster Super Meat Boy to retail shelves in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, and the Benelux countries."

Pretty normal stuff, right? The presser reveals a Q3 2011 release window, and mentions that the company will announce pricing details in the near future. Okay, makes sense so far. Then, with no preface, it drops this: "In the platforming game Super Meat Boy, people play a boy without skin. His girlfriend, who is made of bandages, gets kidnapped by a fetus in a tuxedo wearing a top hat and a monocle." Hey, press release? Don't try to sneak that in there like it's not the craziest sentence anyone's ever written, okay?

Continue reading Super Meat Boy Ultra Edition coming to Europe and Australia

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy Ultra Edition coming to Europe and Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaeuropelace-mamba-globalpcq3-2011release-datesuper-meat-boysuper-meat-boy-ultra-editionteam-meatukThu, 21 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy figures turn your desk into a deli]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/09/super-meat-boy-figures-turn-your-desk-into-a-deli/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/09/super-meat-boy-figures-turn-your-desk-into-a-deli/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/09/super-meat-boy-figures-turn-your-desk-into-a-deli/#comments Etsy user Voxelous has revealed a set of four two-inch Super Meat Boy figurines, crafted using a 3D printer, super glue and love. You can grab one for $12 (plus shipping), though be careful -- Team Meat reports that upon receiving the toys in the mail, "we both crapped our pants."

Continue reading Super Meat Boy figures turn your desk into a deli

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy figures turn your desk into a deli originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftsfigurinesmicrosoftpcsuper-meat-boyteam-meattoysxboxSat, 09 Apr 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy dashes toward 600,000 copies sold]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/super-meat-boy-dashes-toward-600-000-copies-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/super-meat-boy-dashes-toward-600-000-copies-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/super-meat-boy-dashes-toward-600-000-copies-sold/#comments In an interview with Pocketful of Megabytes, Team Meat revealed that Super Meat Boy has sold 600,000 copies across both Steam and Xbox Live -- quite the jump from the 400,000 figure the game was approaching back in February. Sales on Xbox Live are close to 200,000, while Steam leads with nearly 400,000.

Of course, the figure we want most is just how many times that adorable little cube of meat has perished. It's got to be in the billions, right?

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy dashes toward 600,000 copies sold originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcsalessteamsuper-meat-boyteam-meatxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 07 Apr 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy gets turned into an NES (or vice versa)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/super-meat-boy-gets-turned-into-an-nes-or-vice-versa/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/super-meat-boy-gets-turned-into-an-nes-or-vice-versa/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/super-meat-boy-gets-turned-into-an-nes-or-vice-versa/#comments Indie game developer (and apparent Team Meat super-fan) Benjamin Braden recently Tweeted a pair of images of a simple, stylish Super Meat Boy-themed NES clone. Check out the image below to see the before and after, and watch that unassuming cartridge slot transform into a horrified meat-mouth.

Continue reading Super Meat Boy gets turned into an NES (or vice versa)

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy gets turned into an NES (or vice versa) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benjamin-bradenmodnessuper-meat-boyteam-meatWed, 06 Apr 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat World now orbiting Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/02/super-meat-world-now-orbiting-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/02/super-meat-world-now-orbiting-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/02/super-meat-world-now-orbiting-steam/#comments If you own the Steam version of Super Meat Boy, you're about to be in a user-generated world of pain. According to die-hard developer Team Meat, the free "Super Meat World" level portal is open and serving eight custom-made chapters (comprising about 140 levels) from various players and developers. The entrance will be to the left of Chapter 1 on the menu and will open once you've collected at least 20 bandages.

The next step -- due "in a few days" -- will be a wide release of the Super Meat Boy level editor, initially in the form of a public beta. "The editor will allow people to basically create anything they have seen in game and upload it to Super Meat World with the click of a button," said Edmund McMillen via email. "Users will also eventually gain the ability to create full chapters that can be uploaded and rated by other users."

Here's the best part: Once the editor is deemed "stable," Team Meat will enable "The Unknown," a free feature that automatically stitches user-created levels into an unpredictable, sadistic gauntlet of meat-mincing grinders. Do try to curb that public display of excitement (your Stockholm syndrome is showing).

JoystiqSuper Meat World now orbiting Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcsteamsuper-meat-boysuper-meat-worldteam-meatuser-generated-contentSat, 02 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam offering 13 indie games (including Super Meat Boy!) for 75% off]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/02/steam-offering-13-indie-games-including-super-meat-boy-for-75/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/02/steam-offering-13-indie-games-including-super-meat-boy-for-75/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/02/steam-offering-13-indie-games-including-super-meat-boy-for-75/#comments Rather than go the "make up a fake game/product/service" route that so much of the game industry takes on April Fool's Day, Valve instead put together an indie bundle and heavily discounted it, making those who didn't buy it fools in the process. It's what we like to call "the old switcheroo."

Including Joystiq Game of the Year awardee Super Meat Boy, terror simulation Amnesia: The Dark Descent, and Gaijin Games' synesthetic masterpiece Bit.Trip Beat, "The Potato Sack" drops all 13 games by 75 percent off their normal asking prices (or 50 percent when purchased a la carte). Considering that all of those games would normally cost around $160 if you bought them individually, you're looking at a savings of approximately $120. Also, you'll do untold wonders for your invaluable indie cred. And hey, if none of that does it for you, there's a potato hat for Team Fortress 2 included.

Also of note, each of the bundle's games have been modified with a potato-themed update -- head to the gallery below for a look at Super Meat Boy and Bit.Trip Beat's starchy additions.

Update: Added AaAaAA!! -- A Reckless Disregard for Gravity to the gallery, courtesy of NoodleGunshot.

[Thanks Joseph Leakey!]

Gallery: Indie April Fools 2011

JoystiqSteam offering 13 indie games (including Super Meat Boy!) for 75% off originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-foolsapril-fools-2011bit-trip-beatgaijin-gamesmacpcsteamsuper-meat-boyteam-meatSat, 02 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy's PC level hub is 'days away,' Mac port to follow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/super-meat-boys-pc-level-hub-is-days-away-mac-port-to-follow/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/super-meat-boys-pc-level-hub-is-days-away-mac-port-to-follow/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/super-meat-boys-pc-level-hub-is-days-away-mac-port-to-follow/#comments In addition to the game's forthcoming level editor, Super Meat Boy devs Team Meat are planning a hub for user-created content: Super Meat World. The hub's launch is set for "very soon, days away even," according to tweets from Team Meat. Aside from allowing Steam players to share and download individual levels, Super Meat World will support sharing of full chapters -- at least those that Team Meat chooses to feature.

And once Super Meat World is complete, the team says it'll get to work on the Mac iteration of Super Meat Boy, with a Linux version following that (seriously). As previously noted, Steam users who already purchased SMB won't have to repurchase to play on OS X, as the game features SteamPlay functionality.

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy's PC level hub is 'days away,' Mac port to follow originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macpcsteamsteamplaysuper-meat-boysuper-meat-worldteam-meatWed, 30 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy is good for a LARP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/super-meat-boy-is-good-for-a-larp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/super-meat-boy-is-good-for-a-larp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/super-meat-boy-is-good-for-a-larp/#comments Remember Gary Bigham, the (professional) live-action role-player who took on a real-life version of Minecraft? Well, he's back, this time tackling the evil Dr. Fetus in an all too real version of Super Meat Boy. If you absolutely must try this at home, remember to watch out for warp zones.

Continue reading Super Meat Boy is good for a LARP

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy is good for a LARP originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>larplarpingmicrosoftpcsuper-meat-boyxboxFri, 04 Mar 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy misses jump to Wii (falls into chainsaw)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/super-meat-boy-wii-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/super-meat-boy-wii-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/super-meat-boy-wii-canceled/#comments Team Meat today finally laid to rest the troubled Wii version of Super Meat Boy. "We really tried hard to make this happen but not one publisher we talked to thought a retail budget title for the Wii would be profitable at this point in the Wii's life cycle," reads a missive on the Team Meat Blog, "and we totally understand that."

Initially planned as a WiiWare title, the Wii version of SMB grew beyond the size constraints of Nintendo's digital platform, and so Team Meat began to look into a box-copy release. Perhaps its spirit will live on in the "Ultra Edition" of SMB for PC.

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy misses jump to Wii (falls into chainsaw) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canceledcancellationnintendosuper-meat-boyteam-meatwiiWed, 02 Mar 2011 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meatmortem: The almost-death of Team Meat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/super-meat-boy-postmortem/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/super-meat-boy-postmortem/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/super-meat-boy-postmortem/#comments Crunch time is just part of game development. When the deadline is looming, it's not uncommon for developers to pull 12-hour shifts (or longer). For Team Meat, crunch time nearly killed half of the duo.

Tommy Refenes (pictured left) told GDC attendees that he would "be dead if we put Meat Boy on everything," explaining one of the reasons why Super Meat Boy has only been released for Xbox Live Arcade and PC thus far.

In the two months leading up to SMB's XBLA debut, neither took a single day off, let alone slept for more than five hours a day. Refenes recounted feverish "development dreams" -- a sort of Groundhog Day scenario where he was squashing bugs only to wake and discover more.

Continue reading Super Meatmortem: The almost-death of Team Meat

JoystiqSuper Meatmortem: The almost-death of Team Meat originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edmund-mcmillengdc-2011microsoftpcpostmortemsuper-meat-boyteam-meattommy-refenesxboxTue, 01 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy 'Ultra Edition' comes to retail in North America this April for $20]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/super-meat-boy-ultra-edition-comes-to-retail-in-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/super-meat-boy-ultra-edition-comes-to-retail-in-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/super-meat-boy-ultra-edition-comes-to-retail-in-north-america/#comments During a postmortem on Super Meat Boy, Edmund McMillen, the hairier half of Team Meat, gave GDC attendees a lengthy peek at the box art for a special "ultra edition" of the PC game. "Here's the Walmart box," he told attendees as he gave a Skype video call tour of the North American retail package -- it will be available in other retail stores, not just Walmart, as well as on Amazon.

Later, the @SuperMeatBoy Twitter account provided an image of the boxart (hop over the chainsaws and past the break to see it in full), a much more crisp and higher-res version of the boxart than seen in McMillen's video call. In following up with McMillen, we were able to secure additional details: it'll launch in April for $20; it includes a 40-page booklet including never-before-seen art, behind-the-scenes info and an extended version of Team Meat's comics, with new pages; the soundtrack and additional audio samples; and a mini-poster of that disturbing Super Meat Boy fan art seen last year. You know, in case you have a room that you need to make sure nobody ever sleeps in. Ever.

Hop past the break (mind the chainsaws!) to check out the "Ultra Edition" boxart.

Continue reading Super Meat Boy 'Ultra Edition' comes to retail in North America this April for $20

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy 'Ultra Edition' comes to retail in North America this April for $20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2011pcsuper-meat-boysuper-meat-boy-ultra-editionteam-meatTue, 01 Mar 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Team Meat confirms 3DS development, Super Meat Boy sales approaching 400K]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/team-meat-3ds-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/team-meat-3ds-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/team-meat-3ds-development/#comments During a postmortem on Super Meat Boy here at GDC 2011, Team Meat's Tommy Refenes spoke at great length about the plight of developing the most punishing game of 2010 -- a long stretch of development Hell that has since seen nearly 400,000 copies sold across Xbox Live Arcade and Steam, he revealed. As part of Microsoft's Game Feast program, as well as several impressive Steam sales, Super Meat Boy was afforded a lot of time in the spotlight, though Refenes also attributed its high Metacritic rating as another catalyst for the rise in popularity.

Later, Edmund McMillen, who participated in the postmortem through a Skype video call, confirmed that Team Meat has procured a 3DS development kit and is currently working on something for the platform. "We dont know if that'll be Meat Boy or something else, but who knows?" McMillen concluded coyly.

JoystiqTeam Meat confirms 3DS development, Super Meat Boy sales approaching 400K originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsedmund-mcmillengdc-2011microsoftnintendopcsuper-meat-boyteam-meattommy-refenesxboxMon, 28 Feb 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy gets two new chapters on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/super-meat-boy-gets-two-new-chapters-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/super-meat-boy-gets-two-new-chapters-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/super-meat-boy-gets-two-new-chapters-on-xbla/#comments As promised, the "Expert Remix" and fan-created "Cramps" chapters of Super Meat Boy on Xbox Live Arcade are now available for the cheaper-than-fast-food price of free. Accessible through "The Internets" -- the hub world included in the XBLA version of SMB -- each chapter features a slew of sharp, sometimes spinning objects that serve to stop Meat Boy's path to victory. While Cramps is hand-crafted by community member NovaSilisko, the Expert Remix levels are plucked from the original game's chapters and made extra difficult (a full list of the levels remixed can be found after the break).

Also of note: "The Internets" is now unlockable at an earlier point in the game, requiring either 15 bandages or 40 completed levels. And while we appreciate the sentiment in lowering the barrier to entry, we'll be looking directly down our noses at you folks who needed the extra help. We're sorry -- it's just what Meat Boy does to us.

Continue reading Super Meat Boy gets two new chapters on XBLA

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy gets two new chapters on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crampsdlcdownloadable-contentexpert-remixfreemicrosoftsuper-meat-boyteam-meatthe-internetsxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeTue, 22 Feb 2011 09:45:00 EST