by Ozzie Mejia, May 22, 2013 2:00pm PDT
A chunk of the indie gaming sector observed the Xbox One presentation (either live or secondhand, via channels like Twitter) with a sense of disappointment. Given that Sony's PlayStation 4 unveiling put game development at the forefront to the point that indie darling Jonathan Blow was given a forum to speak, some indie developers had hoped for more from the Xbox One event.
With a new console generation came hopes that Microsoft would relax their strict standards for indie developers, who currently must have a publisher in order to see their product on a Microsoft console. That does not appear to be the case.
Read more: 'No olive branches being given' »
by Ozzie Mejia, Mar 20, 2013 12:00pm PDT
Drinkbox Studios' Guacamelee has just about reached the end of its long journey towards a release date. The Metroidvania beat-em-up platformer about a superpowered Mexican luchador is currently undergoing Sony's stringent certification process before being given the green light. In the meantime, Drinkbox co-founder Graham Smith and level designer Chris McQuinn took me on one last tour of the Mexican pueblo to show some previously unrevealed footage.
For this round of Guacamelee, Smith took me through a tour of the game's opening minutes in the town of Pueblucho. "You don't start as a luchadore or as a hero, you start off as Juan, the agave farmer," says McQuinn, as I observe Juan waking up in his basement and exploring his house. Juan performs menial tasks for the townspeople, as part of a tutorial scenario, before visiting El Presidente and reuniting with El Presidente's daughter, who Juan has known since childhood.
Read more: Becoming a hero »
by Ozzie Mejia, Mar 18, 2013 2:15pm PDT
With Guacamelee's release on PS3 and PS Vita imminent, developer Drinkbox Studios took a moment to praise Sony's continuing efforts to reach out to developers--smaller indie studios, in particular.
"The only obstacle to going to their platforms is that you have to have the technical ability to write a console game," said Drinkbox co-founder Graham Smith. "The submission process is straightforward--if you have a game idea, you send it to them. If they like it, they'll let you release it on their platforms. For other platforms, it's not that easy."
Read more: Drinkbox wants to develop for PS4 »
by Ozzie Mejia, Oct 09, 2012 1:30pm PDT
Drinkbox Studios, the team behind the two Tales from Space games, is working on yet another PlayStation Network exclusive. Guacamelee for PS3 and Vita is a Metroidvania-style 2D brawler set in the mystical world of lucha libre. Guiding me through this demo was Drinkbox's Chris McQuinn.
"You take on the role of Juan, a down-on-his-luck agave farmer," said McQuinn. "Through serendipity, he starts on an adventure of saving the love of his life and defeating an evil scourge that's descending upon the world."
Read more: Goat jumping »
by Andrew Yoon, Jul 27, 2012 4:00pm PDT
Indie PlayStation Network darling, Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack, will be available on PC next month. Specifically, it will available on Steam on August 15th.
Mutant Blobs Attack is a side-scrolling puzzle platformer that has players controlling a mutant blob that must eat his way to freedom. The touch screen features of the Vita version will be replaced by mouse controls.
Watch: Mutant Blobs Attack PC! »
by Steve Watts, May 31, 2012 4:15pm PDT
by Steve Watts, Apr 13, 2012 2:15pm PDT
Guacamelee is difficult to describe; it's not so much a singular, vital concept as it is a pastiche of various gameplay mechanics and influences. This approach could easily make for a hot mess, but a brief look at the game shows plenty of potential in the ideas coalescing into a whole game that is both fun and funny.
Read more: Luchadors, Metroid, and dimension-swapping »
by Jeff Mattas, Mar 07, 2012 2:30pm PST
Mutant blobs attacked the PlayStation Vita at launch, but developer DrinkBox Studios revealed during a meeting at GDC 2012 today that it's working on bringing the gelatinous platformer to PC and Mac as well. I previewed the PS Vita version of the game just prior to launch, and can safely say that Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack is an experience that fans of the genre will enjoy.
Read more: Gelatinous platforming »
by Jeff Mattas, Feb 14, 2012 12:00pm PST
The PlayStation Vita's North American launch is right around the corner, and one of the titles set to hit alongside the new handheld device is Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack by DrinkBox Studios. I stopped by to check out a few levels of the new platformer that combines some traditional elements of the genre with some new gameplay concepts, and was pleasantly surprised by its interesting level design and cheerful presentation.
Watch: Mutant mayhem »
by Jeff Mattas, Oct 18, 2011 12:00pm PDT
Toronto-based indie developer DrinkBox Studios has just revealed it's next game, a 2D brawler-platformer starring a Mexican wrestler and featuring Metroid-vania style open world design. The game is called Guacamelee, and in it, players will take on the role of Juan Aguacate as he uses all manner of punches and kicks to save El Presidente's daughter (and the world) from the clutches of an Evil Charro Skeleton.
Watch: the Guacamelee announcement trailer »
by Jeff Mattas, Aug 24, 2011 11:45am PDT
"Is the controller really doing anything that I might care about that the 360 controller doesn't ..."
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