David Craddock over at Big Download has already posted a review of the latest Grimm episode “Master Thief” who says, “If The Master Thief is an example of what players can expect from the new season of American McGee’s Grimm, then this is a series that should be enjoyed by both the casual and hardcore crowds… Play it; you shouldn’t be disappointed.”
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Master Thief – FREE for Halloween
If you didn’t catch mention of it last time, here’s the news again:
The latest Episode of Grimm, “The Master Thief” isn’t just free for 24 hours – but for several days.
Yep, you can play Episode 9 of Grimm for free between Oct 30th and Nov 1st on GameTap.
And not only is this episode free, but it’s another kind of special: Halloween Special!
So, if you’ve been waiting to dip your toe in the stinky pool that is Grimm, this is a perfect time!
Grimm Halloween
Zombie Madness
Grimm loves Halloween! And who can blame him? Vampires, zombies, werewolves, and witches are as wickedly grim as Grimm himself. And what better time of year to celebrate Grimm and his uhh grimness than Halloween?!
In honor of the special occasion we here at Spicy Horse, our friends at GameTap, and Grimm himself have worked together to create a super scary treat for you:
A “Grimm” Halloween Special Episode:
“The Master Thief” (Some call it Episode 9!)
(insert scary “woowoooowooooo” sound inside your head)
What’s so special about this episode of Grimm? Well, let me do like our old friend The Count and “count” the ways:
Ah-1: Not just free for 24 hours like the other episode, but for DAYS (10/30 through 11/1)
Ah-2: Chock full of vampires, zombies, ghosts, ghouls, and other scary goodness.
Ah-3: It’s the best “Grimm” episode so far, according to David Craddock over at Big Download.
Ah-4: Ah, there is no 4.
But hey, don’t take my (or David’s) word for it! Head over to GameTap and check it out for yourself.
Here’s the link for GameTap’s Grimm site.
Here’s some fun Halooween art on my flickr account.
Here’s some Satanic Jingle Bells.
And here’s um, some scary stuff.
BaiJiu Racer Concept Announcement
Bai Jiu Racing
Today we’re going to try something a little different: Pitching a video game concept!
Traditionally when I’ve pitched game concepts the process involved face-to-face meetings with potential publishers, use of our agents (CAA) back in Los Angeles, and lots of traveling. Well, I’m getting old, China is FAR from the rest of the world, and the Internet can do a lot of amazing things, so here’s a game pitch for the next generation:
Announcing “BaiJiu Racer” – An MMO-lite racing game concept with China as the core theme. The concept has been in focused pre-production for the past three months here at Spicy Horse. Working with our Chinese publishing partner ICEE we’ve crafted a solid Game Design Document, Technical Design Document, Art Bible, Visual Target Demo, and Development Plan. Together these materials constitute a compelling pitch for a title we think will be a strong competitor in the worldwide, lite-MMO, online racing category (think “Kart Racer”).
A lot of teams dream of a “Mario Cart” or “KartRider” killer – and we think our concept goes a long ways towards being a viable contender. For one, it’s the first Chinese cart racing game developed with an authentic and original Chinese art style, set in real-world locations, and featuring some of the funkiest racing vehicle designs the world has ever seen (inspiration coming from actual Chinese vehicles). We’re focusing on semi-realistic (and fun) physics-based racing dynamic, going light on the power-ups, and throwing in a lot of visual action. Check out the art and video to see the result.
A few key features and differentiators:
* Distinctive art style featuring a timeless portrayal of everyday Chinese people and locations
* A clean and clear graphic style for UI
* Core gameplay focused on skill-based racing, avoiding fun-killing power-ups
* Strong narrative backbone and emotional drama – “everyone can be a hero”
* Unique and interesting vehicle designs based on real-life Chinese vehicles
* Track locations that reveal a China few foreigners have seen
* Risk reduction in production through use of 3rd-party tools and engine (UE3)
* A fast and efficient project schedule built on Spicy’s proven development processes
Our Chinese publishing partner ICEE has a lock on the publishing rights in China. What we’re looking for now is a publisher interested in the remaining world-wide rights. We might also be open to territory specific deals with the right partners.
To learn more about BaiJiu Racer and what’s on offer, you can do the following:
Visit my Flickr Account to view a collection of concept artwork related to the project.
Visit my YouTube Channel to watch a video of sample game play, primarily intended to show the art style working in-engine.
Finally, email me to request information (GDD, TDD, budget, schedule, etc) relevant to deciding if the publishing rights are a fit for you.
Spicy Horse has established itself as one of the strongest independent game developers in China. Following the success of Grimm we’re growing and expanding to leverage our core talents, process oriented development methods, and inspirational location. If you’re interested in learning more about the studio, our capabilities, and our ideas, let me know!
Grimm Episode 6 – “Godfather Death”
Dogfather Death
Grimm episodes just keep coming! Another week, another episode. This week, Episode 6, “Godfather Death”. This happens to be one of my favorite episodes. It features a solid and amusing story, great character interaction, some awesome game play, and really cool visual effects. Also, you can turn nuns into demons – what’s better than that!?
Be sure to check it “Godfather Death” over on GameTap in the first 24 hours after release, because well, you know, it’s FREE! Seriously, what beats turning nuns into demons for FREE? How about doing all that and then watching them push their own nunnery into a lake of lava? Mmmm… Lava. You can check out “Godfather Death” on Gametap by following this LINK.
When you’ve played the episode be sure to let us know what you think. You can comment here on my blog, visit the forums on americanmcgee.com or head over to the forums on GameTap.
Next week – “The Devil and his Three Golden Hairs”!
UPDATE: Big Download and IGN have both already posted their reviews of Godfather Death. They’re both really positive in their own way (Jimmy seems to be enjoying this one despite himself, poor thing). Here’s some of what they have to say:
David Craddock @ Big Download: “Personally, however, I found Godfather Death’s seven levels to be among the most unique featured in the series yet. God’s domain, a place of green pastures and frolicking do-gooders, becomes ravaged by lightning bolts hurled by the big man after Grimm’s diseased presence invokes His fury at not being chosen by the father. Animals, humans, and the land alike are struck by God’s sizzling vengeance as the sky becomes dark and wrathful, birds burst into flame and fall to the ground, and God’s cheeks blush red with rage.”
Jimmy Thang @ IGN: “I‘m glad to say that this episode is arguably the best in the series so far. New weather effects, like snow, have been added and it offers a cool, visual dynamic. This episode also has some really cool light-to-dark transformations. Cactuses will split open to reveal decapitated human heads within. One level has you butt stomping nuns to turn them into flying demons. In the level where you encounter God, after you stink up enough area, God will be enraged and rain down lightning bolts down from the sky to wipe out some of the enemies who clean up after your mess.”
Yep, Grimm just keeps getting better. At this rate, by the time we get to episode 24, we should be getting scores of 10!
Grimm vs. The Children
Monkey Toy of Death
Erin Bell over at CrispyGamer posted a nice review of the latest episode of Grimm, “Puss in Boots“. From the article:
Of all the episodes of American McGee’s dark fairytale opus that have come out so far, I’ve clicked with this one the most. Any game that features carnivorous bunnies is OK in my book. Beyond that, the game’s twisted light-to-dark imagery worked particularly well in the context of the story of Puss in Boots.
Erin is echoing a sentiment we’re hearing from a lot of reviewers and players alike: Grimm just keeps getting better. Each new episode contains more interesting game play, better integration of narrative into game play elements, more challenge, more humor, and cooler art. Part of this is a result of the internal evolution of the game as we develop it. And part of it results from listening to feedback from the player community. This is the great promise of episodic game development: Content delivered on a consistent schedule, in an easily consumable format, and integrating audience feedback in an organic, evolutionary production process.
I have to say, it’s really exciting to see the impact this new way of making and distributing games is having on the audience and industry press.
Erin goes on to say:
There are still some pretty twisted things here: A giant gear spins off the mill and squishes some children who were blissfully playing nearby; cabbages transform into the squirming heads of people buried alive; and down in the rabbit hole, carrots turn into sticks of dynamite and bunnies turn carnivorous and start eating yet more children. (What is it with all the kid-icide in this series?)
Finally, someone takes note of Grimm’s “War on Children”! In answer to Erin’s question, the “kid-icide” is all about putting the scare back in fairy tales. Where the Disney version of Snow White neglects to mention Snow’s parents having their eyes plucked out by pigeons, or Pinocchio murdering Jiminy Cricket with a deadly stomp – Grimm lays it all bare. Ultimately, all this violence serves a purpose: To warn against putting too much faith in “Happily Ever After”.
Also of note this week, news from GameTap‘s VP of Content, Ricardo Sanchez who tells us, “Grimm is doing really well and the audience is really liking it. It’s a consistently top rated title, and is ranking #1 on GameTap.” Woot! That’s really cool news! I know the team here in Shanghai is really thrilled to know their baby is being so well received.
Seems Grimm’s having his own “Happily Ever After”, but wait… there’s another 20 episodes before we turn that page!
Be sure to “tune in” on Thursday for the next episode of Grimm, “The Girl Without Hands”. If you think previous episodes have been bloody, you haven’t seen anything yet! Let’s just say, “Bunny Head Blood Rockets” and leave it at that.