Third Rate Game Play: Darksiders

Game: Darksiders System: Xbox 360 Developer: Vigil Games Publisher: THQ Player: Alex Experience: Tony played some beforehand

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THQ Changes Shape

THQ, after years of holding the same logo, has decided to change it in order to fit its newest focus on video game content.

The previous logo had been in existence since 2001, nearly ten years ago. Hard-edged standing on top of a red-line, the logo was an evolution of the logo before it, with THQ standing atop a thin red line. However, after so many years, the company decided to give a new look to the company.

Our new logo epitomizes the change, innovation and creative growth that are the cornerstones of the new THQ. By developing triple-A, innovative, original intellectual properties, attracting the top talent in the industry, and placing that talent first, THQ continues to redefine itself. This new logo seeks to capture that change and make it tangible.

- Brian Farrell, CEO, THQ

The new logo was unveiled at a press event last week in New York, during which a number of upcoming releases were highlighted to the press. Farrell emphasized the company's draw to create new creative experiences, through the efforts of THQ Partners (with Guillermo del Toro and Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki) and newly created development studios for THQ.

Originally known as Toy Headquarters when it formed in 1991, the company has had a logo which looked quite a bit different. Oh, what a change twenty years make.

SOURCE: Eurogamer

THQ and Mattel Get Together

THQ and toy-manufacturer Mattel have signed a multi-year agreement to create games based on Mattel's IP to a wide variety of gamers.

THQ will continue to produce and release games based on the Barbie and Hot Wheels franchises while also developing games on newer products such as Monster High and smaller brands including Rock 'Em Sock 'Em and Polly Pocket. Among the notable IPs is Masters of the Universe, otherwise known as He-Man.

The publishing deal covers every platform available, including all consoles, iOS, PC (including web games through Facebook), and other downloadable services.

We are excited to work hand-in-hand with the world’s number one toy company to bring a new level of entertainment to its already incredibly popular brands ... Through video games, we can build on some of the most famous and classic toy properties in the world, as well as unlock the entertainment potential of the newest creations from Mattel.”

- Martin Good, Executive VP of Kids, Family and Casual Games, THQ

THQ has recently released Pictionary as one of the upcoming titles for its special Wii peripheral, the uDraw Game Tablet. More announcements are expected soon.

SOURCE: IndustryGamers

THQ and Volition are Going inSANE

THQ and Volition have announced the upcoming gaming project directed by film legend Guillermo del Toro, a horror title named inSANE.

For months, del Toro, who has directed such titles as the Hellboy series and Pan's Labyrinth, has stated his interest in working directly with a developer alongside his film studio to produce a gaming product unlike any other. inSANE promises to be that title, but unfortunately, its announcement comes years early.

inSANE is currently scheduled to be released in 2013, so we may be a ways off before we actually see the game in action. Good luck, guys!

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Double Fine is Stacking Releases (Not Really)

Double Fine Productions, developer of the recently-released Costume Quest, has announced its second downloadable title via THQ: Stacking, an adventure title involving Nesting Dolls and a setting in the Industrial Revolution.

Stacking is a unique adventure title in which players assume the role of Charlie Blackmore, a young chimney sweep who sets off on a quest to save his family from indentured servitude. In order to save his family, however, he must get his way through a number of obstacles and other people blocking his path.

Thankfully, Blackmore and all other residents in Stacking are Nesting Dolls. What does that mean? Well, if Blackmore approaches other residents and is not spotted by them, he can leap inside of them and assume their identities and special powers. Of course, that only applies if that person is one size bigger. Players will need to stack characters of increasing sizes in order to get to the largest characters and use them to complete specific missions.

Stacking is being directed by Lee Petty, the art director for Brutal Legend. Double Fine's previous game, Costume Quest, was directed by Tasha Harris, main animator for Brutal Legend.

Stacking is slated for an early 2011 release for PSN and XBLA.

Double Fine Productions is the development team headed by Tim Schafer, famous for creating adventure series such as Grim Fandango. This generation, the company developed Brutal Legend for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, and earlier this year, the company announced it was making four titles at once. The first of those games turned out to be Costume Quest, released in October. Its expansion DLC, Grubbins on Ice, will be released in December. The company is working on two unannounced projects as well.

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SOURCE: Double Fine Action News

THQ Announces uDraw GameTablet for Wii

THQ has unveiled a new peripheral for the Wii: the uDraw GameTablet.

The uDraw GameTablet is a wireless drawing tablet which fits in a Wii Remote, providing not just the ability to draw into the game worlds themselves but also utilize the tilt and motion controls that the Wii Remote established.

With the tablet comes uDraw Studio, an art package in which people draw images using the tablet; the product can then demonstrate exactly what you did to get to the final image and save the final image as a jpg on your SD card. The game allows you to zoom in close for more detailed images, but for the most part, it is a My First Tablet graphics product, from that standpoint.

THQ demonstrated two other titles which use the uDraw GameTablet. One is Pictionary, which for those under rocks, is a game in which a player is given a word and must draw an image to replicate that word. The Wii title will add new challenges to the mix, such as drawing without looking at the screen. It appears to be more team-based than for individuals, but it could be an interesting party title in the future.

The other game shown was Dood's Big Adventure, in which players guide their character through simple platform levels, using both the tablet screen and the tilt from the Wii Remote. Players can also draw objects to help guide Dood through the wacky world he has to traverse. It reminds me personally of the Wii Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter, but with a peripheral twist.

THQ expects to support the product well into 2013, and with these titles, they seem to have quite a bit of coverage in the Wii fanbase.

uDraw GameTablet will launch this holiday for $69.99 with uDraw Studio bundled with it. Stand alone products from it will cost a cheap $29.99 a game.

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Red Faction Enters a Battleground

At GDC Europe today, THQ Digital creative director Don Whiteford unveiled his development company's companion title to the Red Faction series: Red Faction: Battlegrounds

Red Faction: Battlegrounds takes a new look at the franchise; whereas Volition is bringing the series into a darker, alien-infested warzone with its upcoming Red Faction: Armageddon, THQ Digital is taking the vehicular action from the first game and turning it into an action-packed car battle title for XBLA and PSN. The levels are unique, Martian locales filled with obstacles, man-made or otherwise, and players can choose between cars, mechs, and hover tanks with which they can create carnage. The game will allow up to four players to battle each other on a single screen, online or offline.

Whiteford made the announcement during a discussion about how large companies can evolve by taking larger, retail-based methodologies and establish new smaller, digital-distribution venues. His company, prior to its current position, was known for the Juiced series, and the company had been working on two large-scale projects, including a unique racer (Split Shift Racing) and an air combat title (Stormbirds), before THQ shifted the company's goals to that of a smaller developer.

The game's unveiling was Whiteford's method to boost digital distribution sales: by attaching established, larger IP to smaller games, the loyal fanbase will be more likely to notice and purchase the title. To further his point, Whiteford explained that the game's core team is four developers; if games of this scope can do just as well as large titles, then companies big and small will surely see great profit in smaller, experimental digital products.

THQ Digital Warrington is working on two more titles, one connecting to an established IP and the other, an original IP, itself. No information on those titles was provided.

Red Faction is an established franchise from THQ that saw a rebirth with Red Faction: Guerrilla, which released in 2009. Its sequel, Red Faction: Armageddon, is releasing in 2011, and Battlegrounds will most likely see its release before then. THQ is also making a television series with SyFy to continue to push the franchise toward the mainstream audience.

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Double Fine Goes on a Costume Quest

A few weeks ago 3RM reported that Double Fine, the development company which created Psychonauts and Brutal Legend, was working on four projects at the same time. [HERE]

Today, at his Develop 2010 keynote, Double Fine CEO guy Tim Schafer announced the first of those four titles:

Costume Quest comes from the creative mind of Tasha Harris, the lead animator for Brutal Legend. This comes as the first project from Double Fine that is not run directly by Schafer himself, but he has stated that he will be having supervisory roles in all projects he does not direct, so that should calm down certain worried fans.

The game takes place on Halloween night, during which players take the role of a young boy Trick or Treating with his younger sister (genders can be switched for the main character, for inquiring minds). Unfortunately for him, the sister is captured by a monster who seems to be mistaking who or what she is. Thankfully, the boy has the ability to pull monsters from his imagination and use them to fight off monsters in order to help save his sister and make it back home before his parents freak! He will have to take on more than just monsters, though; other children will come into play as both friends and foes.

The player moves around the suburban neighborhood, hoping to find his sister. Quests appear as porch lights at specific houses, and at each house, particular adventures await. One example provided was a special "theme party," in which players have to collect stuff in order to make an impromptu costume to fit the theme of a particular party. Once each mission is achieved, players get candy and information on where to go next.

There are other types of missions, as well, including battles with monsters, in which the children transform into realistic versions of the beings they portray. Sounds like something we all wish we could do as little ones.

Costume Party is set for release through THQ onto PSN and XBLA this Halloween. Another DLC title is slated for early 2011. Cavities are forming in my teeth already.

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