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[Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 teases in first trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-teases/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-teases/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-teases/#comments
While we do have some idea of what to expect in Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4, we have yet to catch a glimpse - until now. This teaser trailer from Zeboyd Games' upcoming sequel promises demonic trains and vast underhells; it promises a cadre of monsters to capture and throw into battle.

Previously developer Zeboyd Games revealed this latest episode would not grace iOS, Mac or Android - all supported platforms for Rain-Slick 3. The upcoming fourth episode will launch on PC and Xbox Live Indie Games some time this spring for 400 MS Points ($5).

JoystiqPenny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 teases in first trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-4rain-slick-4xbligxboxxbox-live-indie-gameszeboyd-gamesTue, 19 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 details emerge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4-details/#comments Penny Arcade's On the RainSlick Precipice of Darkness 4 details emerge

Details on the fourth game in Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness series were revealed in a recent IGN interview with Zeboyd Games' Robert Boyd and Bill Stiernberg.

For starters, Rain-Slick 4 will be less linear compared to the third game, as Boyd said the team has "added more optional areas" and have "tried to add more secrets and secondary routes to the main dungeons." The overworld will be "freely explorable" as well.

Zeboyd's involvement as developers grew from its experiences with the third game, as Boyd noted they "had a lot more creative control over how the game and the story turned out with this one."

Boyd said the two-man team plans to work on a "sci-fi/spy RPG" that involves a "distant future setting, female protagonist, on-map battles, more animated sprites" and a "cool level-up system" after Rain-Slick 4 is completed. Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 will launch this Spring on PC for $4.99 and the Xbox Indie Game channel for 400 MS points.

Gallery: Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 (Announcement Screens)

JoystiqPenny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 details emerge originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indie-gamesmicrosofton-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4pcpenny-arcaderain-slick-4rain-slick-precipice-of-darknessxbligxboxzeboyd-gamesSat, 26 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zeboyd teases On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/zeboyd-teases-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/zeboyd-teases-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/zeboyd-teases-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4/#comments First screen of Penny Arcade's new rainslicked game surfacesZeboyd Games is gearing up to launch the fourth and final installment in Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness series, and it's going to look a lot like that screenshot right up there. Zeboyd posted the first screenshot as a teaser, promising more information about the game, along with more images, next week.

On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3, also developed by Zeboyd, featured a radical graphical shift from the first two games, which were developed by Hothead. The fourth game looks to continue the success of 3's visual overhaul, smoothing out those final rough edges.

JoystiqZeboyd teases On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcpenny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-4xboxzeboyd-gamesSat, 19 Jan 2013 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Penny Arcade 3 DLC on Steam this week, card game coming to iOS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/final-penny-arcade-3-dlc-on-steam-this-week-card-game-coming-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/final-penny-arcade-3-dlc-on-steam-this-week-card-game-coming-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/final-penny-arcade-3-dlc-on-steam-this-week-card-game-coming-to/#comments Final DLC for Penny Arcade 3 coming Thursday to Steam, card game to iOS"The Beginning of the End" is the final set of free DLC coming to Penny Arcade's On the Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness 3, and Zeboyd Games has announced that it's arriving on PC and the Xbox this Thursday, December 20. The DLC, which aims to fill in the story between the first three episodes, will bring a new playable character to the series, along with new enemies and new spells to fight them with.

As you can probably tell by the title, the DLC will set up the final game in the franchise, which is due sometime in 2013. This week, "The Beginning of the End" will only arrive on Steam and Xbox Live Indie Games, but Zeboyd says it'll be out for iOS, Android and Mac very soon.

And elsewhere in interactive Penny Arcade news, Playdek and Cryptozoic have created a digital version of the Penny Arcade deck-building card game - it's coming to iOS this week as well. Penny Arcade: The Game: Gamers vs. Evil will be out on Apple's platform tomorrow for $4.99. There are so many different options out there to play with the Penny Arcade license that they should probably upgrade it to a nickel at some point.

JoystiqFinal Penny Arcade 3 DLC on Steam this week, card game coming to iOS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryptozoiciosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilepcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-3playdekrain-slick-precipice-of-darknessxboxzeboyd-gamesTue, 18 Dec 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade 3 now on Mac, iOS, & Android, free Seamstress DLC live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/penny-arcade-3-now-on-mac-ios-and-android-free-seamstress-dlc-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/penny-arcade-3-now-on-mac-ios-and-android-free-seamstress-dlc-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/penny-arcade-3-now-on-mac-ios-and-android-free-seamstress-dlc-l/#comments Penny Arcade Adventures 3 now on iOS, Android, & Mac, new free DLCPenny Arcade's On The Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 is now raining down on iOS, Android, and Mac. All versions include the free Lair of the Seamstress DLC which trickled concurrently onto Steam and Xbox Live Indie Games, as well as the Fanfiction Pack dropped earlier this year. The Android and iOS versions storm in at $2.99, with the Mac version a spot more at $4.99.

The Lair of the Seamstress DLC includes a new dungeon, which Zeboyd says can be entered when all your classes are Level 40 or higher by "going to the top floor of the Class Shrine." There's also a new zombie-themed costume pack, almost as if to tie in to some horror-themed annual holiday.

JoystiqPenny Arcade 3 now on Mac, iOS, & Android, free Seamstress DLC live originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-3penny-arcade-adventures-3penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3release-dateXBLIGxboxxbox-live-indie-gameszeboyd-gamesFri, 26 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 DLC coming 'soon,' fourth game coming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/free-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3-dlc-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/free-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3-dlc-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/free-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3-dlc-coming-soon/#comments The first DLC offering for On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 is being finalized, Penny Arcade has announced. The free DLC pack, the first of two proposed free DLC packs, is called The Lair Of The Seamstress. No launch date has been finalized, but Jerry "Tycho" Holkins suggests it may be out in time for PAX Prime next month. "We don't know when, exactly, but apparently there's some kind of big convention or something next month; maybe we'll try and put it out then."

Beyond Seamstress, there is also one more free DLC pack planned. After that, we'll see another full game. Tycho says Zeboyd Games is preparing to begin work on the fourth game and second free DLC pack for Precipice 3 starting tomorrow.

JoystiqFree On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 DLC coming 'soon,' fourth game coming originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmicrosoftpax-prime-2012pcpenny-arcade-adventures-3xboxzeboydzeboyd-gamesMon, 23 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cthulhu saves Mac, iOS, and Android on June 28]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/23/cthulhu-saves-mac-ios-and-android-on-june-28/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/23/cthulhu-saves-mac-ios-and-android-on-june-28/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/23/cthulhu-saves-mac-ios-and-android-on-june-28/#comments Lovecraftian horror turned counterculture icon Cthulhu will attempt to reclaim his ability to destroy all of mankind once again this Thursday, June 28, when Cthulhu Saves The World launches on OSX, iOS and Android, according to Touch Arcade.

Each version of the game will run you a smooth $1.99, making these releases $1 cheaper than the PC version on Steam and $1 more expensive than the original XBLIG jam. It's unclear whether the game will be a Universal iOS app, or if iPhone/iPad specific versions will be released at $1.99 each, though the game's classic JRPG-style interfaces should adapt well to touchscreen devices either way.

Launching on additional platforms has worked out well for Zeboyd in the past; it'll be interesting to see if the game's street cred translates to success in the indie-saturated mobile market.

JoystiqCthulhu saves Mac, iOS, and Android on June 28 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcthulhu-saves-the-worldiosipadiphonemacmobilezeboyd-gamesSat, 23 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's game with a big title will come to these tiny devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/penny-arcades-game-with-a-big-title-will-come-to-these-tiny-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/penny-arcades-game-with-a-big-title-will-come-to-these-tiny-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/penny-arcades-game-with-a-big-title-will-come-to-these-tiny-dev/#comments
Penny Arcade's game with a huge title will come to these tiny devices
Some time after its PC and XBLIG launch on June 25, Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 will slip-and-slide onto the following mobile platforms: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android. On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 will also come to Mac, through Steam, on the same day as the mobile launches, Penny Arcade announced today.

We knew Zeboyd's pixel-fest in the Penny Arcade universe would hit mobile platforms, but until now we weren't sure which devices would be supported. There is still no word on a specific release date for mobile and Mac versions, but Penny Arcade promises it will be "soon" after next week's Steam (PC) and XBLIG launch.

Continue reading Penny Arcade's game with a big title will come to these tiny devices

JoystiqPenny Arcade's game with a big title will come to these tiny devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-3xboxzeboyd-gamesWed, 20 Jun 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's wet, edgy, shadowy game to launch early]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/penny-arcades-wet-edgy-shadowy-game-to-launch-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/penny-arcades-wet-edgy-shadowy-game-to-launch-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/penny-arcades-wet-edgy-shadowy-game-to-launch-early/#comments Penny Arcade's wet, edgy game to launch earlyPenny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3, Zeboyd's pixel-happy iteration in Penny Arcade's RPG series, is now set to come out on June 25 for Steam (PC immediately, Mac eventually) and XBLIG. It was originally slated to drop July 10, but as Penny Arcade puts it, "waiting until July seems dumb."

Steam purchases in the first week will also get a copy of Zeboyd's Cthulhu Saves the World, which we think is most decidedly not dumb.

JoystiqPenny Arcade's wet, edgy, shadowy game to launch early originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earlymacmicrosoftpcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-3STEAMxboxzeboyd-gamesWed, 13 Jun 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 lands July 10]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3-lands-j/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3-lands-j/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3-lands-j/#comments Penny Arcade's latest is on the RainSlick Precipice of its July 10 release dateZeboyd's pixelated refresh of the Penny Arcade RPG series will arrive on Steam and XBLIG on July 10. Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 (phew) will cost $5 on either platform, the developer reports, though the XBLIG version is obviously sold in Microsoft's imaginary fun money. The PC version will support SteamPlay cross-platform compatibility with the future Mac version, so if you buy it on PC you get Mac as well.

Zeboyd promises mobile versions as well, but more details on those are forthcoming. As in, don't expect to buy this on your phone in July.

Gallery: Penny Arcade’s On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 (6/1)

JoystiqPenny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 lands July 10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventurespenny-arcade-adventures-3penny-arcades-on-the-rain-slick-precipice-of-darkness-3release-datesteamxbligxboxzeboyd-gamesFri, 01 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cthulhu to Save the World on Mac, iOS, Android in 2012, Mayans wrong]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/cthulhu-to-save-the-world-on-mac-ios-android-in-2012-mayans-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/cthulhu-to-save-the-world-on-mac-ios-android-in-2012-mayans-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/cthulhu-to-save-the-world-on-mac-ios-android-in-2012-mayans-w/#comments Indie gem Cthulhu Saves the World has helped more than 150,000 people enact tentacled justice on XBLIG and PC since December 2010, and it will expand its reach with a release on Mac, iOS and Android devices in Q1 this year, developer Zeboyd Games announced.

Zeboyd's Robert Boyd tweeted that he "waited until the ports were almost done before making the announcement," which marks a novel way of conducting game-release announcements, wherein developers wait until they're sure the game will be released before announcing that the game will be released. Revolutionary.

Cthulhu Saves the World also got a price drop on XBLIG, to 80 MS Points ($1), effective right now. So go! The world won't save itself.

JoystiqCthulhu to Save the World on Mac, iOS, Android in 2012, Mayans wrong originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cthulhu-saves-the-worldiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcrelease-datexboxzeboyd-gamesThu, 05 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie Royale dishes out 'The Really Big Bundle']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/indie-royale-dishes-out-the-really-big-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/indie-royale-dishes-out-the-really-big-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/indie-royale-dishes-out-the-really-big-bundle/#comments For its third offering, Indie Royale is bundling together five new games because ... hey, we're all buying stuff right now and everyone loves cheap bundles of good games. A bit of quantity and quality, you know? And the Indie Royale folks must know what they're doing -- Gamasutra reports the first two bundles have moved over 350,000 games across 70,000 total bundle sales.

Within The Really Big Bundle, you'll be able to grab headliner Really Big Sky and a pair of Zeboyd games (from the guys bringing back Penny Arcade Adventures) namely Cthulhu Saves the World and Breath of Death VII. Rounding out the final two columns in this pentagon of parsimony is Runespell: Overture and Eufloria.

JoystiqIndie Royale dishes out 'The Really Big Bundle' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breath-of-death-viicthulhu-saves-the-worldeufloriaindie-royalemacpcreally-big-skyRunespell-Overturesteamzeboyd-gamesWed, 30 Nov 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 3 still alive, Zeboyd at the helm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-still-alive-zeboyd-at-the-hel/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-still-alive-zeboyd-at-the-hel/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-still-alive-zeboyd-at-the-hel/#comments Penny Arcade Adventures lives onAfter its abrupt cancellation last year, Penny Arcade Adventures: Episode 3 has risen from the ashes with developer Zeboyd Games taking control of the project. The studio is best known for its Xbox Live Indie Games and PC releases, Cthulhu Saves the World and Breath of Death 7.

RPGamer reports that, given the retro nature of Zeboyd's titles, Penny Arcade Episode 3 will take on a similar graphical style (think: the 16-bit Final Fantasy games); Alex Mauer will be providing the soundtrack. This marks the first game in the series not developed by Hothead, which left the project last year and went on to develop DeathSpank.

Episode 3 is set to be released in 2012 on "as many systems" as possible. More information will be revealed at PAX East next year ... but that won't stop us from harassing Gabe and Tycho for information all weekend.

JoystiqPenny Arcade Adventures Episode 3 still alive, Zeboyd at the helm originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>paxpax-2011pax-prime-2011penny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-episode-3penny-arcade-adventures-on-the-rainslick-precipice-of-darkness-epenny-arcade-advenures-3zeboyd-gamesFri, 26 Aug 2011 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam releases of Cthulhu Saves the World, Breath of Death VII outperform entire year on XBLIG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/steam-releases-of-cthulhu-saves-the-world-breath-of-death-vii-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/steam-releases-of-cthulhu-saves-the-world-breath-of-death-vii-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/steam-releases-of-cthulhu-saves-the-world-breath-of-death-vii-o/#comments In a very brief announcement on its website, Zeboyd Games has revealed that Cthulhu Saves the World and Breath of Death VII have been performing very well on Steam. Just how well? "We are pleased to announce that Zeboyd Games has already made more revenue in less than a week on Steam than we have in over a year and a half on the Xbox Live Indie Games service."

Another post on Zeboyd's site details the early success of its game on Steam. The developer stated it would have been happy to occupy a spot in the top twenty. On launch day, however, the studio shot into the top sellers and occupied the number one spot for most of the day.

Earlier this year, Zeboyd took donations to help fund the PC port of Cthulhu Saves the World, which includes a copious amount of new content (which is now available on the Xbox version as well). So, in other words, the studio has gone from a lack of funds to besting more than a year's worth of sales in a single week. We'd say that's a pretty good turnaround.

JoystiqSteam releases of Cthulhu Saves the World, Breath of Death VII outperform entire year on XBLIG originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breath-of-death-viicthulhu-saves-the-worldmicrosoftpcsalessteamxboxzeboyd-gamesWed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cthulhu Saves the World approved for Steam, Zeboyd 'hoping' for release this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/cthulhu-saves-the-world-approved-for-steam-zeboyd-hoping-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/cthulhu-saves-the-world-approved-for-steam-zeboyd-hoping-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/cthulhu-saves-the-world-approved-for-steam-zeboyd-hoping-for/#comments Zeboyd Games has announced that its excellent Xbox Live Indie title, Cthulhu Saves the World, has been approved by Valve for release on Steam. Developer Robert Boyd is "hoping" to get the game released before the month is out. Just like its Xbox Live counterpart, it will cost a measly $3. Armless Octopus also reports that Boyd is attempting to offer some sort of bonus for those who pre-order on Steam. Additionally, the site reports that Boyd is working to bring the title to GamersGate, Impulse and Desura.

The PC version will include several new enhancements, including an extra campaign with new characters and dialogue, rebalanced gameplay, a new dungeon, an "insanity" difficulty setting and developer commentary. As previously revealed, the Xbox Live version will receive the extra content in a free update at the same time.

JoystiqCthulhu Saves the World approved for Steam, Zeboyd 'hoping' for release this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cthulhu-saves-the-worldmicrosoftpcsteamvalvexboxxbox-live-indie-gameszeboyd-gamesFri, 13 May 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Indie Games ratings are being manipulated, devs say]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/xbox-live-indie-games-ratings-are-being-manipulated-devs-say/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/xbox-live-indie-games-ratings-are-being-manipulated-devs-say/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/xbox-live-indie-games-ratings-are-being-manipulated-devs-say/#comments If you thought jocks versus nerds was a war you left behind in high school, we've got some bad news: It's followed you to a new, less predictable battleground. Yup, Xbox Live Indie Games. Seemingly provoked by a harmless call to action by the developers behind College Lacrosse 2011 on their Facebook page -- they even said, "Please remember to not rate other games low to help CL11" -- some developers have noticed a drastic drop in their XBLIG rankings.

"After hanging out around the #6 top rated slot for a month or two, our game's rating started to drop very quickly," Cthulu Saves the World dev Robert Boyd wrote on Microsoft's App Hub Forums. "In less than a week, we went from being #6 top rated to our current spot of #11." And how are the lacrosse games doing? "In contrast, the Lacrosse games which were in the middle of top 20 best rated (I don't remember the exact positions) are now ranked #4 & #5," Boyd observed.

For its part, Microsoft's XNA Creator's Club has acknowledged the possibility of manipulation, tweeting, "We are investigating a possible misuse of ratings on #XBLIG titles. We'll announce more information here as it develops."

The real issue is how easy it is for a group of individuals (take the 177K fans of College Lacrosse's Facebook page) to influence the popularity of games on the service: Users can rate games on Microsoft's website without owning an Xbox, purchasing a game, or even playing a demo. When download numbers are as tied to rankings as they are on the Indie Games marketplace (just like on the iOS and Android marketplaces) this issue is really critical in maintaining the fairness of that ecosystem.

JoystiqXbox Live Indie Games ratings are being manipulated, devs say originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cthulhu-saves-the-worldmicrosoftRobert-BoydXBLIGxboxXbox-LiveXbox-Live-Indie-GamesZeboyd-GamesWed, 30 Mar 2011 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Cthulhu Saves the World getting recast in ultra-verbose special edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/cthulhu-saves-the-world-getting-recast-in-ultra-verbose-special/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/cthulhu-saves-the-world-getting-recast-in-ultra-verbose-special/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/cthulhu-saves-the-world-getting-recast-in-ultra-verbose-special/#comments Zeboyd Games has announced that the already attractive Cthulhu Saves the World is about to get even hotter. Officially titled -- wait for it -- Cthulhu Saves the World: The Super Hyper Enhanced Championship Edition Alpha Diamond DX Plus Alpha FES HD - Premium Enhanced Game of the Year Collector's Edition (without Avatars!), the updated edition packs in loads of new content.

Specifically, the, erm, "Collector's Edition" includes the new Cthulhu's Angels mode, in which the Lovecraftian god sends three new playable characters -- we particularly like the sound of the "Were-Zompire" Molly -- to save the world. The mode also features new music, dialogue and abilities.

Additionally, the Collector's Edition will include director's commentary, rebalanced gameplay, a new dungeon and a new "Insanity" difficulty setting. It will apparently replace the original game on the Xbox Live Indie Games platform when it's released this spring, and current owners will be upgraded for free. A PC version will also be released at that time.

JoystiqCthulhu Saves the World getting recast in ultra-verbose special edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 02:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cthulhu-saves-the-worldmicrosoftpcXBLMxboxxbox-live-indie-gameszeboyd-gamesSat, 19 Mar 2011 02:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Zeboyd seeking funds for PC port of Cthulhu Saves the World]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/18/zeboyd-seeking-funds-for-pc-port-of-cthulhu-saves-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/18/zeboyd-seeking-funds-for-pc-port-of-cthulhu-saves-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/18/zeboyd-seeking-funds-for-pc-port-of-cthulhu-saves-the-world/#comments Feeling a little altruistic? Here's a great cause that's worth supporting: The great and terrible destruction of existence at the hands of Cthulhu, who reigns high on his obsidian throne in the dark, nightmarish dwellings of R'lyeh. Oh, wait -- the money you're donating is actually going to Zeboyd Games, who needs funds to help bring its game, Cthulhu Saves the World, from the Xbox Live Indie Games platform to the PC. Yeah, that makes way more sense.

The fundraising is taking place on Kickstarter, which is offering quite a few savory prizes for any and all big spenders. For instance, folks who donate $750 or more can end up as townsfolk in the charming indie RPG. That's a small price to pay for virtual immortality, isn't it?

JoystiqZeboyd seeking funds for PC port of Cthulhu Saves the World originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cthulhu-saves-the-worldfundraisingkickstartermicrosoftpcxboxxbox-live-indie-gameszeboyd-gamesTue, 18 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Indie Gems: Cthulhu Saves the World]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/xbox-live-indie-gems-cthulhu-saves-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/xbox-live-indie-gems-cthulhu-saves-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/xbox-live-indie-gems-cthulhu-saves-the-world/#commentsCrowded as Xbox Live Indie Games is with farting massage simulators, it can be hard to find worthwhile titles. That's why we sift through all that rough to unearth a few gems. That way, you get the skinny on quality games and we get to indulge our secret passion for fart machines. This week, we take a look at the Zeboyd Games retro RPG romp, Cthulhu Saves the World.
Let's just start with the premise of Cthulhu Saves the World: You take control of Cthulhu, the squid-faced, winged god created by H.P. Lovecraft. Cthulhu emerges from the sea after centuries of slumber only to find his dark powers immediately sealed away by a mysterious holy wizard. A narrator then informs the player that the only way to break the curse is to become a true hero. Quickly breaking the fourth wall, Cthulhu informs the narrator that he was eavesdropping and now knows how to break the curse.

Thus begins his quest to become a true hero, but only so he can restore his world-rending powers and wash the earth in a tide of insanity and despair. Oh, it's also an RPG inspired by the 16-bit adventures of yore.

Gallery: Cthulhu Saves the World (12/29/10)

Continue reading Xbox Live Indie Gems: Cthulhu Saves the World

JoystiqXbox Live Indie Gems: Cthulhu Saves the World originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cthulhu-saves-the-worldindie-gamesmicrosoftxboxxbox-livexbox-live-indie-gamesxbox-live-indie-gemszeboyd-gamesThu, 06 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST