I am not sure if I’m noticing my own habits of buying games that are similar all at once, or if the world is conspiring to release an onslaught of similar games one after another. This is where you decide. Do you see handfuls of games that appear to be coincidentally similar?
When looking at game design, a few things are necessary in order for co-op to work properly. Most of these things gamers don’t think about on a day to day basis - and it’s not covered in our Co-Op Terminology guide. It’s the core principles for getting players to work together, which Ubisoft designer Patrick Redding disclosed at GDC. He talks about moments where he is very satisfied with during the co-op test phase, and things that every developer (should) think about during co-op development.
Co-op puzzle games aren’t something you’d consider a huge time investment with your friends. At least that’s what I thought before I played Slam Bolt Scrappers. Will you be impressed by the co-op in this puzzler, or become bored with your friends?
It's hard to believe that PAX East 2011 is already a week gone. The Co-Opticrew got some great hands on time with a ton of awesome games and are more excited than ever about the upcoming year of co-op titles. Here's the round-up of coverage.
Most of the experiences at PAX are “All right! I finally get to play this game I’ve been hearing about,” but this isn’t the first time we’d seen Slam Bolt Scrappers. Last year an early version of the game was present on the show floor, and Nick and I tried it out. In the last year, the games developer Fire Hose Games has grown by leaps and bounds, and so has Slam Bolt Scrappers.
This issue of On The Download gets to me so much I made up a word to best illustrate how this makes gamers feel. Have you noticed that when a game comes out on one system but doesn’t hit the other systems at the same time, the later port of the game often comes with different, improved features?
In a somewhat early form of a co-op release alert, we're letting you know that Slam Bolt Scrappers is out March 15th. Why the early notification? It's out right after PAX East, and we'll be bombarding you with news and hands-on previews until the 15th. We're definitely hoping for some hands-on time with this puzzle/tower defense/brawler at PAX East, but if we don't get any, it won't be long before we'll be reviewing it (after March 15. Got that? March 15th).
Slam Bolt Scrappers is an interesting title coming early 2011 for the Playstation Network. We've been covering the game for it's 4 player co-op and hybrid brawler/puzzle game elements. It looks quite unique, to say the least. If you are interested in playing the game before it's release, indie developers Fire Hose Games have put out a call for beta testers.
Sometimes, combining different things is good; for instance, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Other times, it's not so good: anyone ever had a pickle/banana sandwich? Slam Bolt Scrappers is hoping the combination of Tetris-like puzzles and an old school brawler has more in common with the chocolate/peanut butter delight. Since co-op is another part of the mix, we're hoping its a tasty treat, too.
Remember the days when you had shelf after shelf of new games. Well, for some of us we’re still there, but as the gaming industry moves toward many more full game digital downloads, will we miss the cases and shelf art, or welcome the extra space in our gaming rooms?
Sony Online Entertainment has announced an exclusive agreement with Firehouse Games to publish their puzzle/brawler Slam Bolt Scrappers. "Puzzle brawler?" you say. Yes indeed. The game is a bit like Smash Brothers meets Tetris meets tower defense all with a fun and over the top art style. The on screen action is a bit chaotic, something I can attest to having played the game first hand at PAX Prime last year, bit strategy is still the key to winning. At the time Slam Bolt Scrappers was actually an Xbox Live Indie game but Sony has since snatched it up.
