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Renegade Kid working on platformer for DS

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 30th 2009 at 10:30PM }

Renegade Kid is apparently working on a kid-friendly platformer for the DS while it develops a sequel to Dementium. The developer showed IGN that its other new project is Maximillian and the Rise of the Mutant Mudds. Players will use a water pack (think Mario Sunshine) to double-jump chasms of doom and squirt the baddies to death.

Renegade Kid plans to push its already impressive technical knowledge with the DS even further with Mudds. The developer doesn't know if it'll go the retail route or check out DSIware, and there isn't so much as an inkling of a release window. Check out a video of the game after the break.

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Joyswag: Moon prize pack [update]

by David Hinkle { Feb 26th 2009 at 10:15AM }

Update: The contest has ended, and a winner has been chosen and notified (check your email!). Thanks for playing and keep an eye out for our next awesome Joyswag giveaway!

After receiving and reviewing it, our copy of Moon became lost in a box of, uh, other games waiting to be given away. Now that we've found it, we're making sure to not repeat the same mistake again. We're going to give it, as well as the extra styli and game cases that Renegade Kid hooked us up with, to one (1) lucky reader! Who's going to be the one to walk away with a new copy of Moon ($35) and these promo goodies? Check out the rules below and best of luck to all of you!

Leave a comment telling us what your favorite FPS of all time is
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
Limit 1 entry per person, per day
This entry period ends at 11:59 am ET on Wednesday, March 4. We'll randomly select 1 winner at that time to receive one copy of Moon ($35) and 4 game cases/stylus packs (pictured)
For a list of complete rules, click here

Gallery: Moon

DS Fanboy Review: Moon

by Alisha Karabinus { Jan 21st 2009 at 11:30AM }

Renegade Kid is doing their damndest to push the DS in a variety of ways. With their games Moon and Dementium, they've attempted to bring a big-console feel to the dual screens, and the two represent a genre outside of the handheld's typical comfort zone. Moon and Dementium aren't so colorful as most DS games, and they lack the familiarity of a game like Metroid Prime Hunters. These are games of atmosphere, and often, there's blood on the walls and malice in the air.

So it's fitting that their games are also about exploration, about discovering limits and new areas. Renegade Kid may not succeed in every aim -- and Moon does not -- but they're doing something different (at least, for the DS). When you're talking about a phenomenon like the DS, when everyone wants in, and everyone is releasing games on it, companies that go against the norm are to be lauded if they are at all successful. Though Moon is uneven, it succeeds in a lot of ways, and so it is to be lauded, too.

Gallery: Moon

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Metareview -- Moon (DS)

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jan 16th 2009 at 9:00PM }

Developer Renegade Kid has shown it is quite technically proficient when it comes to making a first-person shooter on the DS. In 2007, it surprised us with Dementium: The Ward, and now the small development team brings Moon to the dual screens of the DS. The early reviews are all across the map in raw score, but they seem to chime in on the game's technical achievement and certain gameplay issues. Wait, read a review instead of just looking at the number? We know, this is madness we speak of.

IGN (85/100): "When it comes to making a purchase decision on Moon, I encourage anyone that loves FPS games on DS to check this one out, as its technical offering, story, design, style, and control are all amazingly well done. The game can certainly get repetitive at times, as a few bosses are used multiple times with compounding difficulty elements added to them to change things up a bit ... but for the most part Renegade Kid has offered an experience that's more tuned towards the adventure side of things, adding in plenty of combat to keep the experience fresh."
Nintendo Power (75/100): "Quickly becoming the torchbearers for the FPS genre on the DS, Renegade Kid builds on lessons learned from last year's horror title Dementium: The Ward... the game ratchets up the action... compelling story and diverse gameplay."
Modojo (60/100): "We have mixed feelings with Moon. It's a superb visual achievement with spectacular controls and fun shooting, but we grew tired of the old school "hit this switch to activate this door" gameplay. So long as you go into it expecting a slow-paced first person adventure instead of Doom, you'll enjoy this lunar vacation."
GamePro (40/100): "Moon proves itself as a creepy and innovative portable FPS experience, weighed down by a severe lack of challenge and variety."

DS releases for the week of January 12th

by Alisha Karabinus { Jan 12th 2009 at 10:50AM }

Moon, elves, chaos and madness -- it's just another week of new DS games, only this time, with actual games! January's been slow so far, but this week, Moon really is coming out, along with a few other titles. Looks like things are finally getting back to normal after the holidays.

Jumble Madness
The Lord of the Rings: Conquest
Moon
Personal Trainer: Math

Gallery: Moon

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A leisurely drive on the Moon

by Alisha Karabinus { Jan 7th 2009 at 11:30AM }

... at least, this might be called a "leisurely drive" if, say, you really enjoyed an all-terrain, life-threatening romp with lots of gunfire. Which is actually pretty likely if you're interested in Renegade Kid's Moon. The latest from director and co-owner Jools Watsham shows off some of the game's vehicular mayhem, courtesy of the LOLA-RR10, which is all armor and pew-pew-pew-style action. Which is to say that she ain't as pretty as a BMW, but she might be up for the title of "ultimate driving machine" ... on the moon.

Contrary to some reports, Moon releases next week. If you're very, very good, we might tell you whether or not it's as fun as it looks.

Gallery: Moon

DS releases for the week of January 5th

by Alisha Karabinus { Jan 5th 2009 at 1:30PM }

There's not much going on this week unless you're a DS fan in North America. If not, you're a bit out of luck, as Europe, Australia, and Japan have no new games scheduled this week, and here ... well, there's a slight scattering of other games, but mostly? It's the DS show. We've got at least one interesting title headed out, too: the Elebits follow up. Moon is scheduled, but we think that one's really headed out next week rather than this week. Time and the store shelves will tell, though.

Animated
Bigfoot: Collision Course
Elebits: The Adventures of Kai & Zero
Jumble Madness
Moon
Paws & Claws: Pampered Pets

Renegade Kid teases new project

by Jason Dobson { Dec 31st 2008 at 10:00AM }

Before even getting its upcoming sci-fi action-adventure Moon out of the airlock, Dementium: The Ward developer Renegade Kid has announced that it is already at work on its next project. And now you know everything we know about the game, which Renegade Kid's Jools Watsham describes as "the game that I'm most excited about ever in my career."

The studio's owner and game director teased the project in a video posted on his personal blog, noting only his enthusiasm and that the game has nothing to do with Dracula, the rumored subject of an upcoming Wii project from the company. More information about the mysterious project is expected to be released at a later date, though Watsham concedes that it's likely "going to be a while." Until then, we await Renegade Kid to set off on its slightly delayed trip to the Moon on January 13.

[Via DSF]

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Telling stories: The next hurdle for story telling

by Jason Dobson { Dec 29th 2008 at 9:45AM }

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Telling stories: The games that got it right

by Jason Dobson { Dec 26th 2008 at 10:00AM }

As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.

It's rare that story tellers get all of the pieces of their narrative to fit together exactly right in any medium. But in this industry, where story shares a balance with gameplay and endings often get the short end of the development stick, weaving a complete and compelling tale must be a daunting task. Now, gifts unwrapped and bellies full, our panel of industry personalities sound off on those games that they feel were up to the challenge, delivering storytelling experiences above and beyond their peers.

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Telling stories: How much is that ending in the window?

by Jason Dobson { Dec 24th 2008 at 10:18AM }

As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.

Epic Games' Michael Capps recently caused quite an uproar among gamers with his suggestion to offer the conclusion to games as premium DLC rather than as part of the core experience. As the latest in our continuing week-long feature, we asked our panel of industry personalities what they thought of the proposal. Interestingly, much of the group was noticibly more tight-lipped in their responses than when answering other questions.

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Telling stories: What's up with lame endings?

by Jason Dobson { Dec 23rd 2008 at 12:00PM }

As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.

While narrative has taken on a larger role, time and again we end up being left unsatisfied in the final moments with endings that fail to wrap up stories in interesting or compelling ways. In our continuing week-long feature, we asked our diverse collection of industry personalities why so many endings in the games we play leave us cold.

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Telling stories: Balancing gameplay v. narrative

by Jason Dobson { Dec 22nd 2008 at 1:25PM }

As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.

How important are stories? How about endings? Over the next week this diverse group of personalities sounds off on these and other story-driven topics, starting today as we open up by asking whether or not narrative shares an equal burden as gameplay in carrying the video game experience.

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All the Moon that's fit to watch

by Alisha Karabinus { Nov 24th 2008 at 11:00AM }

The audience seems a bit torn on the recently-delayed Moon, and considering the fact that Renegade Kid's first title, Dementium, saw the same sort of split in audience, it's familiar ground we're treading. Also familiar is the constant flow of media, which is never a bad thing. Not sure where you stand on Moon? Perhaps this new pack of videos will help you out.

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A little Moon footage to tide you over

by Alisha Karabinus { Nov 16th 2008 at 4:06PM }

Moon may be delayed, but that doesn't mean Renegade Kid is going to make you suffer without getting peeks at the game. Not only did we recently get to check out a batch of new screens, but they've released a combat-heavy new trailer, too. With all the pretty, pretty lights in this footage, we kinda felt like we need a glow stick and a pair of very large pants in order to get the full effect.

Gallery: Moon