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[Former Bungie president, Alex Seropian, leaves Disney Interactive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/former-bungie-president-alex-seropian-leaves-disney-interactiv/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/former-bungie-president-alex-seropian-leaves-disney-interactiv/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/former-bungie-president-alex-seropian-leaves-disney-interactiv/#comments Alex Seropian -- who helped found developer Bungie in the 1990s -- has left Disney Interactive, where he was head of game development. After helping create the Halo franchise at Bungie, Seropian started his own studio, Wideload Games, which was then acquired by Disney when it hired Seropian in 2009 as a creative-development lead.

Disney has confirmed Seropian's departure and said he will be replaced by former Blizzard vice president Bill Roper, Game Informer reports. In 2003 Roper left Blizzard and founded Flagship Studios, which busted in 2008, and he was picked up by Cryptic Studios. In 2011, Roper left Cryptic to join Disney Interactive as vice president of the Marvel Franchise, which recently announced Marvel: Avengers Alliance coming to Facebook in Q1 this year.

JoystiqFormer Bungie president, Alex Seropian, leaves Disney Interactive originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alex-Seropianbill-roperBlizzardBungiedisneyDisney-InteractiveHalomicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3WideloadwiixboxTue, 07 Feb 2012 18:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the detectives of Disney Guilty Party]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/meet-the-detectives-of-disney-guilty-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/meet-the-detectives-of-disney-guilty-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/meet-the-detectives-of-disney-guilty-party/#comments
They're not exactly an intimidating bunch -- we've got a masked brat, a soft-spoken granny and a let-himself-go gumshoe in here -- but the investigative attendees of Disney Guilty Party look like they can crack a case and hook some crooks with flair on August 31. See the new trailer after the break.

Continue reading Meet the detectives of Disney Guilty Party

JoystiqMeet the detectives of Disney Guilty Party originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Disneydisney-guilty-partyDisney-InteractiveGuilty-PartyMysterynintendoPuzzleQ3-2010WideloadWideload-GameswiiWed, 14 Jul 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[You're invited to Disney Guilty Party on July 27]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/disney-guilty-party-july-27-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/disney-guilty-party-july-27-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/disney-guilty-party-july-27-release-date/#comments
Click to solve "The Case of What's in the Gallery"Wideload Games' "Clue meets Guess Who meets adventure game" for Wii, Disney Guilty Party, will be available for investigation (and also purchase) in North America on July 27.

The game lets up to four players use their Wiimotes as magnifying glasses, fingerprint kits and other detective tools as they rush to solve crimes orchestrated by the diabolical "Mr. Valentine." Along the way, players must gather clues about the identity of the culprit in each particular case, through investigation and investigation-themed minigames.

While you wait for the July release, feel free to take a magnifying glass into our gallery and see what can be deduced from the new screenshots.

Gallery: Disney Guilty Party

JoystiqYou're invited to Disney Guilty Party on July 27 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurecasualdisneydisney-guilty-partydisney-interactiveguilty-partyNintendopartyrelease-datescreenshotsWideloadwideload-gamesWiiTue, 13 Apr 2010 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Guilty Party spurs television-crowding bedlam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/disney-guilty-party-spurs-television-crowding-bedlam/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/disney-guilty-party-spurs-television-crowding-bedlam/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/disney-guilty-party-spurs-television-crowding-bedlam/#commentsWe're not convinced that anyone outside of Disney Guilty Party's target audience will stand up and dance when the music for the above trailer really ramps up, but that doesn't mean we're trying to dissuade you from viewing it. Quite the contrary, as Guilty Party's revelry in the family-friendly nature of its cartoon sleuthery shouldn't necessarily be a reason to ignore it (yes, the music is a tad obnoxious).

We'll have a hands-on with the game going up later today, but from what we can see in the trailer above and the screenshots below, it seems to be a lighthearted puzzle game suitable for a room full of friends. The jury's still out on whether or not that room full of friends plays good games or not.

Gallery: Disney Guilty Party

JoystiqDisney Guilty Party spurs television-crowding bedlam originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneydisney-guilty-parydisney-interactivedisney-interactive-studiosmediaNintendonintendo-media-summit-2010screenshotstrailerwideloadwideload-gamesWiiWed, 24 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A political Hail to the Chimp demo now on the XBLM]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/a-political-hail-to-the-chimp-demo-now-on-the-xblm/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/a-political-hail-to-the-chimp-demo-now-on-the-xblm/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/a-political-hail-to-the-chimp-demo-now-on-the-xblm/#commentsFiled under: ,

Stuff your vote in the ballot box and decide on your favorite zoo animal, because it's time to get political with a new Hail to the Chimp demo that just released to the Xbox Live Marketplace. The demo, which is only available to U.S. and Canadian Live subscribers, features "presidential party game" style shenanigans and enough animal-based jokes to last you a few years. Download if you're interested, ignore this post if you're not ... but we really didn't have to tell you that did we?

[Via Game Stooge]

JoystiqA political Hail to the Chimp demo now on the XBLM originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hail-to-the-chimpwideloadwideload-gamesxblmFri, 18 Jul 2008 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Preorder Hail to the Chimp, get $10 of Onion Store credit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/reminder-preorder-hail-to-the-chimp-get-10-of-onion-store-cre/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/reminder-preorder-hail-to-the-chimp-get-10-of-onion-store-cre/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/reminder-preorder-hail-to-the-chimp-get-10-of-onion-store-cre/#commentsFiled under: ,


A reminder that Gamecock has offered Joystiq readers an exclusive offer: preorder Hail to the Chimp at GameStop (it comes out a week from today) and get a free $10 gift certificate to the Onion Store, the virtual storefront of the popular fake (and funny!) newspaper. So, to recap: you preorder the $40 PS3 or Xbox 360 politically themed party game before the end of the day, send the Gamecock people a copy of your receipt (details here), and get ten bucks of free Onion Store credit.

JoystiqReminder: Preorder Hail to the Chimp, get $10 of Onion Store credit originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GamecockHail-to-the-ChimpPS3WideloadXbox-360Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Hail to the Chimp delayed to end of June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/05/hail-to-the-chimp-delayed-to-end-of-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/05/hail-to-the-chimp-delayed-to-end-of-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/05/hail-to-the-chimp-delayed-to-end-of-june/#commentsFiled under:


*Sigh* More delays. This time it's Hail to the Chimp, the arena-fighting, politically-charged, animal-filled cel-shaded game from Wideload studios. Originally set for release at the end of this month, Hail to the Chimp has been delayed a month for "polish." As former QA experience tells us, this is likely a good thing, as there was probably a choice between hitting ship with a certain amount of bugs or delaying the game and getting to fix the bugs. When it does finally hit on June 24th, Hail to the Chimp should hopefully be that much better.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqHail to the Chimp delayed to end of June originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 May 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamecockhail-to-the-chimpwideloadwideload-gamesMon, 05 May 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hail to the Chimp delayed to June 24 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/05/hail-to-the-chimp-delayed-to-mid-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/05/hail-to-the-chimp-delayed-to-mid-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/05/hail-to-the-chimp-delayed-to-mid-june/#commentsFiled under: , ,

hail to the chimp
Wideload's Hail to the Chimp party game has been pushed back from a scheduled May 27 release date into "mid-June," a Gamecock representative told us this morning. [Update: Gamecock has clarified that the new release date has been set for June 24.] The publisher attributed the short delay to a need for "polish" (working with animals can get dirty, after all), though we wonder if the extra weeks aren't equally necessary to generate some excitement for a campaign, which to date, has received little coverage. Ape or not, a politician's success relies on the strength of a savvy marketing team.

For further analysis of the issues at hand, check out our Hail to the Chimp impressions from GDC and EIEIO.

Gallery: Hail to the Chimp

JoystiqHail to the Chimp delayed to June 24 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 May 2008 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsgamecockhail-to-the-chimpPS3wideloadXbox-360Mon, 05 May 2008 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interviews Hail to the Chimp producer Jon Krusell]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/16/joystiq-interviews-hail-to-the-chimp-producer-jon-krusell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/16/joystiq-interviews-hail-to-the-chimp-producer-jon-krusell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/16/joystiq-interviews-hail-to-the-chimp-producer-jon-krusell/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Wideload Games' Hail to the Chimp consistently delivered laughs to its audience of journalists at EIEIO. Being that the event was a large party, it was the perfect venue to try out a party game. The crowd got almost as boisterous during the gameplay sessions as they did later that evening, when the event metamorphosed from a video game press event into a concert.

The "concert" portion of the event was also the first chance I had to talk about the game with Wideload's Senior Producer Jon Krusell. He was kind enough to yell over the din in order to discuss the thought process that led naturally into a party combat game about animal presidential elections, his theories about the lack of comedy in games, and his revolutionary Robot Jox-based political platform.

Gallery: Hail to the Chimp

Continue reading Joystiq interviews Hail to the Chimp producer Jon Krusell

JoystiqJoystiq interviews Hail to the Chimp producer Jon Krusell originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eieioeieio08gamecockhail-to-the-chimpPS3wideloadXbox-360Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EIEIO 08: Hail to the Chimp impressions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/eieio-08-hail-to-the-chimp-impressions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/eieio-08-hail-to-the-chimp-impressions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/eieio-08-hail-to-the-chimp-impressions/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click to embiggen

Not being much of a "next-gen" follower (sorry!) I had a vague belief that Wideload's Hail to the Chimp was a downloadable game. I was, then, surprised to find it a full-sized (but budget-priced) release. Developer Wideload Games used the retail-game budget to create not only a unique party game, but also a hilarious audiovisual experience that doesn't really have an analogue on modern systems.

Hail to the Chimp's menu interface is the GRR News Network, with pompous anchor Woodchuck Chumley (seen above enjoying some... hot coffee ... with Bean the Sloth) onscreen authoritatively intoning ridiculous stories, while the menu options take the place of all the ubiquitous TV news infoboxes and text clutter. Wrapping the game inside this TV-station premise allows Hail to the Chimp to have something resembling a storyline, and also provides the opportunity for the funniest aspect of the game, which I'll get to shortly.

Gallery: Hail to the Chimp

Continue reading EIEIO 08: Hail to the Chimp impressions

JoystiqEIEIO 08: Hail to the Chimp impressions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eieiogamecockhail-to-the-chimppartypoliticsPS3wideloadXbox-360Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:27:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Opposable thumbs-on with Hail to the Chimp]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/gdc08-opposable-thumbs-on-with-hail-to-the-chimp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/gdc08-opposable-thumbs-on-with-hail-to-the-chimp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/gdc08-opposable-thumbs-on-with-hail-to-the-chimp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Developed by Wideload (Stubbs the Zombie), Hail to the Chimp is a party game infused with political humor. As the story goes, various animals -- ranging from an octopus to an armadillo -- are competing to be elected as president of the animal kingdom. To do this, players engage in a series of arena fighting games with various goals. The game plays more or less like a simplified version of Power Stone with objectives thrown into the mix. The gameplay is simple with few nuances, as one might expect of a party game. The real question is whether or not the gameplay is too simple to maintain the attention of discerning gamers. Strange as it may seem, the satirical humor that frames Hail to the Chimp may be more endearing than the game itself.

Gallery: Hail to the Chimp

Continue reading GDC08: Opposable thumbs-on with Hail to the Chimp

JoystiqGDC08: Opposable thumbs-on with Hail to the Chimp originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamecockGDChail-to-the-chimphailtothechimpPS3wideloadwideload-gamesXbox-360Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Wideload's Hail to the Chimp bus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-wideloads-hail-to-the-chimp-bus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-wideloads-hail-to-the-chimp-bus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-wideloads-hail-to-the-chimp-bus/#commentsFiled under: , ,


When we first heard that the Gamecock published Hail to the Chimp would be showcased on a bus rather than in a booth, we assumed the worst. Even now, given our previous evidence, we aren't ashamed of that assumption. We imagined a bus of debauchery and decadence. A place of foolhardy revelry. Immediately we began to guess just what the bus would be called. After a long and passionate discussion, we settled on Shuttlecock as the most likely moniker. Alas, no wacky transpirations took place, and we are left with an empty feeling. That is, until we saw just how nice the bus was on the inside. As the gallery below will no doubt prove, the folks at Wideload really know how to travel in style.

Gallery: GDC08: Wideload's Hail to the Chimp bus

JoystiqGDC08: Wideload's Hail to the Chimp bus originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamecockGDChail-to-the-chimphailtothechimpPS3wideloadwideload-gamesXbox-360Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Hail to these things]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-hail-to-these-things/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-hail-to-these-things/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-hail-to-these-things/#commentsFiled under: ,


Walking outside of the Moscone Center's West Hall, we were accosted by some costumed monsters -- of course it was Gamecock. That's what they do!

This time, the foolishness was taken to the streets in promotion of Hail to the Chimp, Wideload Games's political animal-mascot fighting game. These particular characters didn't look like chimps, but we hailed to them anyway, mostly out of a sense of duty. We didn't want to make waves or anything ...

Gallery: GDC08: Hail to These Things

JoystiqGDC08: Hail to these things originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamecockGDCgdc08hail-to-the-chimpwideloadThu, 21 Feb 2008 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wideload Shorts' Cyclomite coming early 2008 via Instant Action]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/wideload-shorts-cyclomite-coming-early-2008-via-instant-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/wideload-shorts-cyclomite-coming-early-2008-via-instant-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/wideload-shorts-cyclomite-coming-early-2008-via-instant-action/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Wideload Games' new shorts division, appropriately titled Wideload Shorts and obviously using sex appeal to sell the brand (mmm, hippos) have announced that one of the first titles from the division, Cyclomite will debut early 2008 on InstantAction, a service developed by GarageGames where you play the game within your browser and against other gamers.

In Cyclomite, players control a multi-colored ring whose purpose is to catch meteors as the storm of space rock tries to destroy the universe as we know it. 1UP has a preview of the game.

The game is being dubbed the "premier" title from Wideload Shorts in the press release, though it also states later that the studio will "release its first game in late 2007," so we guess premier means the first project they begun developing. No word on what that other title is. Wideload has stated it will support handheld, cell and online game platforms.

[Via Press Release]

JoystiqWideload Shorts' Cyclomite coming early 2008 via Instant Action originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyclomitePCwideloadwideload-gameswideload-shortsThu, 11 Oct 2007 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Wideload "Shorts" promises new XBLA content]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/wideload-shorts-promises-new-xbla-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/wideload-shorts-promises-new-xbla-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/wideload-shorts-promises-new-xbla-content/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wideload, the kooky cats behind Hail to the Chimp, the satirical fighter set in the animal kingdom, has announced the formation of its Shorts division. The Shorts division will focus (surprisingly) on downloadable games for various console services and PC. As you might suspect, Wideload Shorts has plans to create games for Xbox Live Arcade. Wideload is careful not to call such games "casual," as they wish to make it clear that while gameplay will be kept simple, it should still be compelling to longtime gamers as well as newcomers. While no specific titles have been named, the first Wideload Shorts game is expected to arrive in late 2007.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqWideload "Shorts" promises new XBLA content originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>wideloadwideloadshortsxblaxboxlivearcadeTue, 14 Aug 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wideload announces 'Shorts' division for digital downloads]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/wideload-announces-shorts-division-for-digital-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/wideload-announces-shorts-division-for-digital-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/wideload-announces-shorts-division-for-digital-downloads/#commentsFiled under: , ,


After the beans pretty much spilled yesterday that Wideload Games (Hail to the Chimp), headed by former Bungie CEO Alex Seropian, is working on XBLA games, more details emerged later in the day. In an interview with GameDaily they discuss their new Wideload Shorts division designed to focus on smaller downloadable games "via established and emerging download channels." The first game is expected later this year.

Heading the new division is Scott Corley who says he doesn't want to use the term "casual games" for Wideload Shorts because it has so many different meaning now. He says the games they are creating are "meant to have clear goals, allow shorter periods of play, and have interfaces that are intuitive even if the player is new to games." He says they are planning on releasing games on XBLA, PSN and WiiWare. There's no word yet what these games will be, but they will have Wideload's "trademark humor," which means if you like Stubbs the Zombie and the upcoming Hail to the Chimp intrigues you, keep an eye out for the first game from Wideload Shorts this fall.

JoystiqWideload announces 'Shorts' division for digital downloads originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digitaldownloadPS3psnseropianwideloadwideloadshortsxblaXbox-360Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wideload working on XBLA games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/wideload-working-on-xbla-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/wideload-working-on-xbla-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/wideload-working-on-xbla-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,


With Hail to the Chimp coming along quite nicely, Alex Seropian admits they are working on Xbox Live Arcade "games." Speaking with Gamasutra, Seropian says they have two teams now at Wideload Games. One is working on HttC and the other is on games for "digital distribution." When pressed, he admitted they were for Live Arcade. Wideload Games seems be looking toward the future of digital distribution and learning the ins and outs of XBLA. Hail to the Chimp, despite being a retail product, plays like an arcade game. It's quite obvious how Xbox Marketplace could add to the coffers of Wideload if they sell extra battlegrounds and animals for the game. There's no word yet on what the actual XBLA games they are working on are.

Seropian also talks about Hail to the Chimp using the Unreal Engine 3 and his experience with the controversial engine. He says it's a "great toolset, it's a great engine, and you have to be a little careful about what you want to do with it." He says the engine was designed to make Gears of War, so it's been a challenge getting it to work, but that's it's been "really good" for them.

JoystiqWideload working on XBLA games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hailtothechimpseropianue3unrealengine3wideloadxblaXbox-360Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: Hail to the Chimp]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/joystiq-hands-on-hail-to-the-chimp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/joystiq-hands-on-hail-to-the-chimp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/joystiq-hands-on-hail-to-the-chimp/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Since our first glance of Hail to the Chimp we've been intrigued. The party game for Xbox 360 and PS3 can be best described as "monkeying" the Pixar philosophy, the game looks like it'd be for kids, but there's a bunch of sly jokes in there that adults will get and the gameplay is simple but deep. The game revolves around 10 animals vying for control over the Animal Kingdom through a bunch of Power Stone-type levels where you need to collect clams in order to fund the campaign. Meanwhile, an anchor for a cable television station style network will give briefs after each battle, along with doing voice-overs during bouts. The anchor isn't your cheap kind of recap character either, this beaver has over 5000 lines of dialog speaking specifically to the action which has occurred.

Playing Hail to the Chimp against three of the developers, it was tough to put up any kind of fight, but we got an idea of how the game might play when it releases next year in time for the U.S. presidential election. Each character has special attacks and if players are failing they can even team up for different combo attacks. For example, the hippo and armadillo can join forces and the hippo will kick the armadillo like a soccer ball at opponents. There are also various traps, warps and environmental incidents that occur during any given stage. After about three rounds you get a solid idea of what's going on. Once again, playing against three of the game's developers you'll have your jackass handed to you, but we did win an elimination round fair and square, where a cloud chases the character with the lowest number of clams to kick them out of the game.

Hail to the Chimp still has a while to go, but the basics are there and so far it's fun. The depth is involved in learning the animal combinations and what the 10 characters offer, but you can hardly learn that in 20 minutes. The great thing about the game is that it is clearly designed to utilize Xbox Live and PSN so battles will be easily played online -- which is more than we can say about a more famous "party" game. What Hail to the Chimp does truly have working for it is a colorful cast of characters who will supposedly have backstory attached to them and a wit in mocking the political system.

Gallery: Hail to the Chimp

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: Hail to the Chimp originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307hail to the chimphandsonPS3wideloadXbox-360Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hail to the Chimp wants to prove politics are fun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/hail-to-the-chimp-wants-to-prove-politics-are-fun/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/hail-to-the-chimp-wants-to-prove-politics-are-fun/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/hail-to-the-chimp-wants-to-prove-politics-are-fun/#commentsFiled under:


Wideload Games has released the first trailer and bits of information for their new PS3/360 party game, Hail to the Chimp. Dubbed an "over-the-top party game" with "biting political satire," the title appears to be a cross between brawlers like Powerstone and the political comics like Doonesbury. Sporting a cartoony look with subtle cel-shading, the game looks bright and colorful but fairly unremarkable. You have a mixture of political/racial stereotypes done up in animal form smacking each other around, with 'hilarious' and 'topical' newspaper headlines tossed in. Gameplay looks extremely generic and uninspired, but it's hard to tell from the short trailer.

What do you guys think? Does this game have any promise? Do our brawlers really need second-tier political comedy to make them more entertaining?

JoystiqHail to the Chimp wants to prove politics are fun originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If there's one thing we can say with absolute certainty, it's that the Xbox 360 is desperately short on games in the animals-fighting-for-political-power genre. Thank goodness for Gamecock and Wideload (of Stubbs the Zombie fame) and their upcoming title, Hail to the Chimp. 1UP recently scored a sneak peek at the game. Here's the story: the lion has been ousted, and now all the animals are competing to become the new king of the jungle. Thus, politics factor into the game, though the gameplay itself revolves around paw-to-paw combat. The game is laced with subtle satirical humor. For instance, clams play a big part in the game, though we're talking about actual clams here. Several of the gametypes award victory to the "candidate" with the most clams. We'll let you puzzle that one out for yourselves.

Wideload hopes the game will be available in time for the U.S. elections in 2008.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqYou there, Hail to the Chimp ... now! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wideload Games' Alex Seropian -- who in another life was the CEO of Bungie (the Halo studio) -- recently had choice words for the former incarnation of E3, calling it a "strokefest." Speaking with ArmChairEmpire, Seropian says, "E3 ends up being a huge drain on resources to focus and to prepare for an event that really, from a developer's perspective, did not seem to serve any purpose whatsoever. It was really a big strokefest for the publishers to see who could make the most noise. It generated a lot of buzz in the industry but as far as translating into how good a game is, it seemed to have zero effect -- if anything a negative effect."

Other than creating the horrible image of the big three personified and touching themselves, Seropian later says that he can't possibly see how the expense that went into these E3 presentations translated into sales to justify said expense. That may be why Seropian seems to be aligning himself with Gamecock's other E3, which many PR folks may be into as well. Obviously the publishers agree with Seropian, as the monstrous E3 has morphed into the more managable Min-E3; although, given the map of the showfloor, this new Min-E3 may not even be big enough to justify that name. It's more like E3 in your pocket -- Pok-É3-mon?

JoystiqSeropian: E3 'was really a big strokefest' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiee3MinE3seropianwideloadFri, 04 May 2007 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interviews Wideload Games' Alex Seropian]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/15/joystiq-interviews-wideload-games-alex-seropian/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/15/joystiq-interviews-wideload-games-alex-seropian/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/15/joystiq-interviews-wideload-games-alex-seropian/#commentsFiled under: , ,


As one of the first to leave Bungie Studios after co-founding the developer, Alex Seropian transitioned from creating Xbox's then-surprising megahit Halo to starting afresh with Wideload Games, a small development firm he founded in Chicago.

After finding success with the humorous Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse (which sports a pretty hip soundtrack, we might add), Wideload went silent until earlier this week, when they revealed Hail to the Chimp as their sophomore title. The game, which is a political-party title involving animals vying to become head of the animal kingdom, is being published by the fowl-loving, former Gathering of Developer heads now known as Gamecock.

With the candor and humor, Alex endured bad audio quality to talk to Joystiq about gaming, politics, and chicken suits.

How did the Gamecock deal come about?

I've known Mike Wilson for a number of years back to the Gathering of Developer days, and we kind of became friends back then when we were both working with Take Two. This is when I was running Bungie; we had a distribution deal with Take Two, like Gathering did. We've kept in touch for a long time and he kind of gave me some fair warning that he was going to try and get something started up again about a year ago, which is about the same time we were coming off of Stubbs and planning our next project.

We were trying to figure if it would be possible to do something together and the timing worked out really well, and the whole way that they are set up and the things that are important to them kind of aligned really nicely with how we're set up and what's important to us. It was like getting our chocolate and their peanut butter or something. [Laughs]

Continue reading Joystiq interviews Wideload Games' Alex Seropian

JoystiqJoystiq interviews Wideload Games' Alex Seropian originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex seropianAlexSeropiangame cockGameCockhail to the chimpHailToTheChimpseropianstubbs the zombieStubbsTheZombiewideloadwideload gamesWideloadGamesThu, 15 Feb 2007 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stubbs developer unveils new title: Hail to the Chimp]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/12/stubbs-developer-unveils-new-title-hail-to-the-chimp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/12/stubbs-developer-unveils-new-title-hail-to-the-chimp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/12/stubbs-developer-unveils-new-title-hail-to-the-chimp/#commentsFiled under:


Claiming to be bringing "the party back in party politics for the first time since the Caligula Administration," Wideload Games announced that its next title will be Hail to the Chimp, a four-player party game where players vie to become the new leader of the Animal Kingdom. The website is live but currently lacking anything other than the main page.

Little else is known about the title. The press release promises online play (still only four players) and that they are expecting a Spring 2008 launch for an as-of-yet unnamed new-gen console. It will be published by Gamecock, who promptly broke through a wall and danced the funky chicken to someone playing "No One Knows" on Guitar Hero.

Wideload Games have previously only published one title, the heralded gem Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse. The company was founded by Alex Seropian, whose previously co-founded Bungie Studios and headed up development of Halo.

JoystiqStubbs developer unveils new title: Hail to the Chimp originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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headcocks
Former Gathering of Developers executives Mike Wilson and Harry Miller are buck-buck-bucking the trend of safe bets (major licenses and sequels), founding an "independent, artist-driven" game publishing company dubbed Gamecock Media Group. "At least they're not infringing on my trademark: Gamepecker," approved Joystiq's Chris Grant.

The Gamecock brand is symbolic of Wilson and Miller's "keep it fun" attitude, explained a rep from the 'cock pen,' adding that "Gamecock will just be a little name on the back [of the box]." This is an effort to spotlight independent developers and offer these studios the necessary freedom and financial incentives to contribute original content to the industry. "[Things] are getting stale. We aim to change that," vowed Wilson. Gamecock has announced the following five titles, which it plans to publish during the next few years, spanning PC, consoles, and handhelds:

  • Fury (Auran) - PvP MMO game for PC; scheduled for release during 2007 holiday season
  • Insecticide (Crackpot Entertainment) - film noir action-adventure game set in a decaying world run by bugs; available for the 2007 holiday season on handheld (TBA) and PC
  • Mushroom Men (Red Fly Studios) - set in an incredibly detailed, stylized world where mushrooms have taken on human-like features and are now embroiled in a civil war; slated for a spring 2008 release on a "next-gen" console and handheld (both TBA)
  • Hail to the Chimp (Wideload Games) - impossible-to-classify party game based on politics in the animal kingdom; scheduled for release in spring 2008 for "next-gen" consoles (TBA)
  • Hero (Firefly Studios) - a brutal, but comical romp through the "real" world of medieval dungeons; coming to a "next-gen" console (TBA) and PC in spring 2009

Gallery: Gamecock

JoystiqGamecock: former 'G.O.D.' heads launch indie-friendly publisher originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360AuranCrackpotFirefly StudiosFireflyStudiosFuryGamecockGatheringGathering of DevelopersGatheringOfDevelopersHail to the ChimpHailToTheChimpHeroInsecticideMushroom MenPartyPCPS3PSPPvPRed Fly StudiosRedFlyStudiosWideloadWiiXbox LiveXbox-360Xbox360XboxLiveMon, 12 Feb 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Not-so-secret projects probed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/25/not-so-secret-projects-probed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/25/not-so-secret-projects-probed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/25/not-so-secret-projects-probed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

*sniff* *sniff* ... just tobacco?FiringSquad has done its best to out 18 high-profile "black ops" projects currently in development. While the site's sleuthing skills might not be up to par with Mr. Holmes', the report does a good job of rounding up under-the-radar titles that are begging for some attention.

We'd like to direct the spotlight on two studios in particular: Tim Schafer's DoubleFine and Bungie expats Wideload, which are responsible for Psychonauts and Stubbs the Zombie, respectively (both titles landed in our top 10 'gems' of last generation). The two developers are hard at work on new projects; and with DoubleFine striking a publishing deal with Vivendi, its next game is sure to stir up more buzz (when it's time) than Majesco managed to generate for Psychonauts. Also, we can't wait to see what Warren Spector and Junction Point have under lock and key. Keep those ears (and eyes) glued to the street!

JoystiqNot-so-secret projects probed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Airtight GamesAirtightGamesBioWareDestineerDoubleFineDSEAElectronic ArtsElectronic-ArtsElectronicArtsFPSFree RadicalFreeRadicalGiant BiteGiantBiteId SoftwareIdSoftwareJunction PointJunctionPointLucasArtsMMORPGNovalogicPandemicPCPeople Can FlyPeopleCanFlyPetroglyphPS3PSPRelicRTSS2 GamesS2GamesSegaSlipgate IronworksSlipgateIronworksSOESteven SpielbergStevenSpielbergTHQTim SchaferTimSchaferVivendiWideloadWiiXbox-360Thu, 25 Jan 2007 14:58:00 EST