Jazzpunk Brings Absurdist Humor to PS4 with Enhanced Multiplayer
It’s been a year and change since we released the (Critically acclaimed?) modernist Cold War cyberpunk game, Jazzpunk. We’re now pleased-as-punch to announce that we’ve been working on bringing this surreal experience to PS4! But we didn’t want to stop at doing a simple port of the game, so we’ve been grinding away on new content and modes that will be exclusive to the PS4 version.
“So what the heck is Jazzpunk?” I hear many (Most?) of you asking. That’s a tough one! But I’ll tell you what I know: Jazzpunk is the result of five years of careful laughromancy and studious application of the joke sciences.
Jazzpunk is largely an exploration/adventure game, but with a heavy focus on absurdist and surreal humor and a sleek mid-century modern aesthetic. We spent a lot of time creating a lush 1960’s world, then tried to stuff it like a pizza crust with as much joke-cheese as possible. I’ve been told the results are gooey and delicious.
A little bit of history on us and the project: we’re Necrophone Games, a little two-person company from Toronto, Canada. Jazzpunk began as a little side project that the co-founder of Necrophone Games, Jess Brouse, and I began around 2007. Mostly it was a hobby project, something we could work on in our spare time for fun as we’d been building a lot of small games and prototypes at the time.
Originally I had wanted to make a sort of straight-faced puzzle game set in a stylized cold-war setting. As development continued over the months and years, we had thrown in little gags and easter-eggs, mostly for our own amusement, but at its core the game was still fairly dry in regards to its puzzles and mission structure. Eventually we hit a make-or-break point where we reassessed the whole game and determined that our favorite sections to make and to play, were indeed the gags, the jokes, the comedy segments.
We decided to take the plunge into changing the genre of Jazzpunk from something like a typical “first-person puzzle” game to a comedy, which at the time was, and in many ways still is, a stigmatized genre in the video games universe. There were very few examples of comedy in games actually working at the time. The remaining portion of development went into redoing almost the entire game to fit this newfound idea of humor as the driving force behind the gameplay and exploration. It was an experiment that paid off in guffaws, knee-slaps, and chortles; it earned us an IGF Grand Prize nomination.
So for those of you that have played Jazzpunk before, I hear you asking “What’s the new stuff?!” In Jazzpunk, one of the minigames we included was a full-on parody of multiplayer old school deathmatch games like Unreal Tournament, Goldeneye, and Quake 3 Arena called Wedding Qake. Since release, one of the most requested features from fans was the expansion of this “Wedding Qake” minigame into a proper multiplayer mode. We’re pretty jazzed to announce that we will be unveiling a classic “four-player splitscreen” multiplayer mode into Wedding Qake, featuring unlockable characters, new levels, and fresh implements of devastating MATRIMONY.
In addition to this, we will be adding some new content to the single-player game, but I don’t want to give too much away about those just yet. Comedy thrives on the element of surprise, after all!
In short, we’re excited to bring this award-losing experience to PS4!
If you’re in San Francisco this weekend, stop by our booth (2171) at PlayStation Experience, especially if you want to be one of the first people on the planet to try our four-player split-screen Wedding Qake mode!
Luis Hernandez - Creative Director, Necrophone Games
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is an upcoming game about traveling, sharing stories, and surviving manifest destiny. Featuring gorgeous illustration by Kellan Jett, Where the Water Tastes Like Wine combines 2D visuals with a 3D overworld US map. Players wander through the United States - and through a century of history - to meet a variety of people, each with their own stories to tell.
History
Dim Bulb Games was founded by Johnnemann Nordhagen, co-founder of Fullbright and sole programmer on Gone Home. WTWTLW, a game inspired by the folk tales and folk music of America, is the first project by the studio.
Features
• A variety of folk tales and personal stories to encounter, told by characters from all over America
• Beautiful combination of 3D overworld and 2D illustration in its own unique style
• Stories by a wide selection of excellent writers
• An emerging fantastical, psychedelic, surreal, and creepy tinge as the game continues
Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn Reveals Debut Gameplay Trailer
Big Deez Productions has released the premiere gameplay trailer for its upcoming action game, Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn. This first look at the reignited title in motion was unveiled by Shaquille O’Neal during his special appearance at The Game Awards in Los Angeles.
“It was a thrill to join in a celebration of gaming’s biggest triumphs with the long-awaited return of one of its most towering figures. We can’t wait for fans to unleash the fury of the Big Diesel himself when this wildly stylized take on Shaq-Fu finally arrives,” said Big Deez’s CEO, Matt Karch.
An infamous icon of 16-bit gaming reimagined for a new generation, Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn is an intense, combo-fueled, side-scrolling, beat ‘em up adventure starring the renowned sports star and entertainment personality. Master unique martial arts fighting styles to conquer the world’s greatest challengers. Made possible by the fervent passion of the crowdfunding community, it features modern audiovisual and gameplay design forged by a new team of developers inspired by the tongue-in-cheek fun and humor of the original game.
Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn is expected to launch as a digital title on consoles and Windows PC via Steam next year. For the latest information, please like facebook.com/ShaqFuALegendReborn.
Rocket League Coming to Xbox One in February
融合车辆与足球《Rocket League》宣布将推出 Xbox One 版本
在美国时间 12 月 4 日开幕的「The Game Awards 2015」中,独立开发商 Psyonix 制作、融合车辆与足球的游戏《Rocket League》宣布将推出 Xbox One 版本。 影片中也可以看到以《最后一战(Halo)》以及《战争机器(Gears of War)》为题材的车辆登场。 Xbox One 版本将在 2016 年 2 月上市。
Rocket League Coming to Xbox One
Independent video game developer and publisher, Psyonix, announced today that its popular 'soccer-meets-driving' hit, Rocket League, will officially arrive on Xbox One in February 2016 via the ID@Xbox self-publishing program. Fully optimized for the all-in-one console, the Xbox One version of Rocket League will contain all the same features, upgrades, and content found in the PlayStation 4 and Steam versions, plus several significant additions - including two Xbox One-exclusive Battle-Cars, the Halo "HogSticker," an alternate version of the famous Warthog Force Application Vehicle, and the Gears of War "Armadillo," an Armored Personnel Carrier.
In addition to today's Xbox One announcement, Rocket League also received top honors in The Game Awards, where it was nominated for Best Multiplayer Game, Best Independent Game, and Best Sports/Racing Game, and won for:
• Best Independent Game
• Best Sports/Racing Game
Rocket League arrives in Xbox One with exclusives cars, customizations, and more.
For the equivalent price of the PS4 and PC versions (USD $19.99), the Xbox One version is loaded with exclusives and bonuses. In addition to the base game, Rocket League will come bundled with all three previously-released DLC packs - Supersonic Fury, Revenge of the Battle-Cars, and the newest add-on, Chaos Run - at no additional cost. The Xbox One version will also include multiple exclusive customization items (details to be revealed at a future date), the same continued support and DLC planned for the other systems, and 44 Achievements for 1,000 GS.
Though the Back to the Future Car Pack is not included as part of the Xbox One package, it will be available for purchase as day-one DLC.
"Our goal with Rocket League is to continually improve, grow, and evolve the game while keeping its core fundamentals in focus," said Dave Hagewood, Studio Director and CEO, Psyonix. "With our new Xbox One version, fans will not only get some great exclusives and a great value, but also, the kind of multiplayer gameplay that has made Rocket League a great passion for our players and for us."
The Xbox One version of Rocket League includes
• Exclusive Battle-Cars: 16 Cars + 2 Xbox One Exclusives (the Halo "HogSticker," an alternate version of the Warthog, and the Gears of War "Armadillo")
• Garage Customization items: More than 400 different pieces, including Paint Types, Wheels, Rocket Trails, Antennas, and Toppers
• Maps: DFH Stadium, Beckwith Park, Mannfield, Urban Station, Utopia Coliseum, Wasteland (with multiple variants of most of those maps)
• Multiplayer: 4-Player Splitscreen, 8-Player Online, Ranked and Unranked Play, Special Mutator-Themed playlist(s), Private Match support (with named rooms and optional passwords)
• Game Modes: Exhibition 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, Unfair Mode (1v2, 1v3, 1v4), Offline Season Mode
• More Features: Replay Viewer, Customizable controls, "Mutator" game-variant options (Ball Type, Ball Speed, Boost Strength, Max Score, Match Length, etc., etc.)
Rocket League is one of the most critically-acclaimed games of the summer, boasting a community that is already more than 8 million players strong. Available digitally on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system via PlayStation Network and on Windows PC via Steam, Rocket League brings gamers a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem.
Offering easy-to-understand controls and fluid physics-driven competition for 1-8 players, Rocket League boasts more than 20 billion possible garage customizations, giving players the opportunity to distinguish their Battle-Cars in either local or online play, while showing them off in a broadcast-quality replay viewer.
To learn more about Rocket League, please visit RocketLeagueGame.com, "Like" it on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter @RocketLeague for all the latest developer updates and news.
Shadow Complex Remastered coming to PS4 & Xbox One, free all month for PC
《闇影帝国》宣布 2016 年将推出《闇影帝国重制版》 即日起开放 PC 版限时免费下载
《闇影帝国(Shadow Complex)》研发商 ChAIR 今日在 The Game Awards 颁奖典礼上宣布,将在 PC、PS4 与 Xbox One 平台推出《闇影帝国重制版(Shadow Complex Remastered)》,同时将限时推出 PC 版本免费下载。
《闇影帝国》于 2009 年在 Xbox 360 平台推出,,游戏改编自作家 Orson Scott Card 的小说《帝国(Empire)》,故事描述主角 Jason Fleming 与女友前往山区探险,却遭遇到身分不明的士兵,并被卷入巨大的阴谋之中。 主角必须只身潜入秘密基地,利用敌人的装备来武装自己,一边战斗一边寻找被俘女友的下落。
ChAIR 表示,在《闇影帝国重制版〉中玩家将可经历受到经典横向滚动条元素启发的游戏冒险玩法,玩家将可探索一个充满了敌人、挑战与 BOSS 战的神秘游戏世界,玩家可以在游戏中发现超过上百种的物品,此次重制版也将带来新的成就与挑战。
PC/PS4/Xbox One《闇影帝国重制版》预定 2016 年上市,合作研发的 Epic Games 在官网也宣布,即日起至 12 月底《闇影帝国重制版》开放限时免费下载。
Shadow Complex is back... and free on PC for the Holidays!
ChAIR’s modern and masterful sidescroller has been remastered for its debut on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2016. Get Shadow Complex Remastered FREE on PC for a limited time via Epic Games.
About Shadow Complex Remastered
Powered by Unreal Engine 3 and winner of 50+ Game of the Year and Editor’s Choice Awards, Shadow Complex is back for more!
Shadow Complex Remastered features all the great gameplay from the award-winning classic, updated with exciting new enhancements and achievements to support its debut on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Features
• Experience the pivotal modern platform adventure inspired by the classic side-scrolling genre.
• Explore a huge, mysterious game world populated with legions of enemies, challenges, and jaw-dropping boss battles.
• Discover unique game-altering power-ups and 100+ additional items and enhancements.
• Complete all-new achievements and master challenges.
• Journey through an exciting action-thriller story penned by renowned comic book writer Peter David.
The Walking Dead: Michonne - A Telltale Games Series Premiering this February in Three Episode Event
If you were watching The Game Awards this evening, you no doubt caught the world-wide reveal trailer for The Walking Dead: Michonne - A Telltale Games Series will premiere this February in a three episode event.
"We've been hard at work on this very special exploration of The Walking Dead universe that will further bridge together our game series with the canon of Robert Kirkman's comic though one of its most complex characters struggling to maintain her own humanity," said Kevin Bruner, Co-Founder and CEO of Telltale Games. "Deeply haunted by the decisions of her past, putting players in the role of a character like Michonne to navigate the broken world around her is an experience that feels uniquely Telltale, and something we simply cannot wait for The Walking Dead fans to play."
Stepping into the lead role of Michonne, award-winning actress Samira Wiley(Orange is the New Black) will portray the iconic character from the comic book series haunted by her past and coping with unimaginable loss and regret. The story explores her untold journey during the time between issues #126 and #139. Through this three-episode Telltale Games series, players will discover what took Michonne away from Rick, Ezekiel, and the rest of her trusted group... and what brought her back.
The Walking Dead: Michonne - A Telltale Games Series will be available as a stand-alone three-episode series on PC/Mac from the Telltale Online Store, Steam, and other digital distribution services, the PlayStation Network for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, the Xbox Games Store for Xbox One and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, compatible iOS devices via the App Store, and Android-based devices via Google Play and the Amazon App Store.
Telltale Games, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment Announce Game Series based on Batman for 2016
Telltale Games, with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment, today announced an interactive episodic game series based on DC Comics’ iconic Batman that is set to premiere in 2016. The official title for the Telltale series is yet to be revealed.
The episodic game series will premiere digitally on home consoles, PC/Mac, and mobile devices. Specific platform details are yet to be announced.
“At Telltale, we’ve been honored to bring our unique approach to interactive storytelling to some of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world, and we’re excited to announce that we’ll soon be exploring what it means to be Batman in an all-new series starting next year,” said Kevin Bruner, Co-Founder and CEO of Telltale Games. “This iteration of Batman will give fans a first-hand opportunity to dive deeper into the complex life and mind of Bruce Wayne, the duality of his own identity, and the struggle of responsibility in saving a city overcome with corruption and villainy.”
“Telltale has an established track record of creating award-winning content for some of the best properties in the world,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “We look forward to working with the team as they deliver a new interactive way for fans and gamers to experience the rich narrative world of Batman.”
Revealed on-stage at The Game Awards 2015 in Los Angeles, the full announcement teaser trailer will be available for online viewing later this week.
Yes you read that right. We’re very excited to announce that we will be making Psychonauts 2, but we need your help to do it!
We’ve launched a new crowdfunding campaign on fig.co where we hope to raise $3.3m to put towards making the game! In addition to this, Double Fine will be putting up a significant portion of the development funds ourselves, and getting another piece of the budget from an external partner. None of these three parts on their own is enough, but together they add up to a sequel worthy of Psychonauts!
We’ve put together a collection of crowdfunding rewards we think Psychonauts fans will be really excited about! In addition to that we’re also excited to be the first crowdfunding campaign in history that is also able to allow investment from both accredited and unaccredited investors. That means you can choose rewards, or you can invest for a return of the profits.
We’ve often talked about making this game, but we’ve never been able to raise the budget we need to make it happen. Now with your help, we can finally get there! so please back Psychonauts 2 and help us make the game we’ve always wanted to make!
Trine developer announces stealth-action adventure game Shadwen for 2016
Shadwen, a stealth game from Frozenbyte, coming 2016!
Shadwen is a true stealth game where the only rule is to remain unseen. Stay hidden – or the ruthless guards will kill you on sight!
Shadwen, an assassin on a quest to kill the king, has a chance encounter with a little orphan girl named Lily. Shadwen takes Lily with her on the dangerous journey. When the guards get close, Shadwen must take action right in front of Lily's eyes. Will she let the child witness crime and murder, or will she protect Lily's innocence?
To kill or not to kill - that is the question.
Features
• Stay hidden - avoid detection and guards, who will ruthlessly kill you upon capture.
• Time is an accomplice - time stands still until Shadwen moves. Carefully rewind time to manipulate your past and present actions to gain an upper hand on the guards. Make precision movements to nail each move and try different strategies for the ultimate solution.
• Pick your assassinations carefully. Avoid being seen, heard or getting caught indirectly. Suspicious sights and noises will alert the guards - use it to your benefit.
• Grapple and sneak around the dark and gritty medieval world and use the environment to your advantage - grapple onto rooftops, drop from ceilings, hide in the shadows.
• Use physics and a freely attachable rope to weave a web of tangled objects, make deaths look accidental; let gravity do the grave work.
• Set up traps and hazards to lure guards towards their early demise; discover new ways to eliminate or distract your foes by crafting items into deadly surprises, including poison traps, spike devices, smoke bombs and more.
• Lethal and non-lethal solutions - choose your play style but remember: actions have consequences.
• Become a true god of stealth and protect Lily's innocence - complete the game with no bodies left behind.
DiRT Rally - Winter Wonderlan Pack Marks Full Game Launch on Steam, Confirmed for Console Release
Codemasters & Koch Media today announced that the full version of the acclaimed DiRT Rally has launched on Steam and will be skidding onto PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC(DVD) on April 5th 2016.
Following a highly successful Steam Early Access programme and unprecedented community demand, Codemasters is bringing DiRT Rally’s enticing blend of authentic, uncompromising realism and edge-of-control thrills to console players in April.
“The launch on Steam early access has been a resounding success. We want to thank the community for their valuable feedback and support which has guided our development for the past eight months, resulting in a 92% positive user score. We are now ready to launch the final version of the game on PC.” said Frank Sagnier, CEO Codemasters “Following this success on PC and a vocal demand from consumers, we are delighted to announce that Dirt Rally will be available on consoles on April 5th 2016. "
Today’s Steam launch brings with it the Winter Wonderland update, which delivers a new rally set in the snow and ice of the Varmland region of Sweden to the game. These snow-filled stages are known for their snow banks and Codemasters has pioneered new soft edge tech that simulates the density of snow. As a result, players can now lean on the snow banks when pushing for those stage records. The Winter Wonderland update is free to all DiRT Rally Early Access players.
The update also brings two new cars to the game, the Hyundai Rally and the Volkswagen Polo Rally. These cars are the most recent additions to the pinnacle of the sport and they are the perfect way to round off this Early Access programme.
To see these new cars in action and to get a look at the new Sweden content, head over to and watch the brand new gameplay trailer.
As part of Codemasters’ continued commitment to improving the features in DiRT Rally the Winter Wonderland update also sees the introduction of Steam Workshop support that allows players to share Car Setup & Force Feedback settings. Winter Wonderland also sees improvements and refinements made to Global Leaderboards and League support.
During its Steam Early Access programme, Dirt Rally’s dedicated players clocked up over 90 million kilometres, raced 3 million clean stages and performed nearly 2.4 million barrel rolls in their quest to join the world’s elite DiRT Rally players at the top of the leaderboards.