Some news about Queasy Games' award-winning abstract shooter. A PSP 4GB Memory Entertainment Pack will be released this November, which comes bundled with a Piano Black PSP-3000 (the new PSP model with non-reflective screen), one 4GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, and a voucher to download the PSP version of Everyday Shooter from the PlayStation Store free of charge. The pack itself will retail at $200, though there is no information yet on when existing PSP owners can acquire the game without buying the entire bundle.

Also, the PC version of Everyday Shooter originally released on Steam is now available for purchase from Direct2Drive.

Siliconera: Everyday Shooter PSP bundled with PSP-3000
Wired.com: Everyday Shooter Comes to the PSP

In a roundabout way, Blueberry (of FabreSoft) had released Advanced Set The Rope On Fire Cartridge (which is a remake of Mazapan's You Have to Burn the Rope) for TIGSource's Bootleg Demakes Competition, while Kian Bashiri himself remade Jetpack Brontosaurus (titled Rocket Belt Rawr, shown above).

It's been close to a year since the last published interview with Phil Fish was posted on the web, so we decided to do a bit of catching up with the designer of Fez and new face of IGF by asking him a couple of questions to find out what he's been working on.

Hi Phil, can you tell us something about yourself and what it is exactly that you do?

I'm Phil Fish, and I co-founded two things: Kokoromi and Polytron. One is an experimental game/art collective, and the other is a company. I do art and design on all my projects. And I guess I'm mostly known for Fez.

Any plans to put out something before the release of Fez, or ideas on what to do next after Fez?

I'm working on a couple of different things. I can't write a single line of code, so I always have to work with a good programmer.

Right now I'm collaborating with Alec Holowka on a little iPhone game that will probably come out way before Fez. It's a bit early to commit to anything yet, but Alec and I are making this cool little game that's all about multi-touch. You play as a little dose of medicine inside people's bodies, and you have to cure them.

And Kokoromi is making a game for GAMMA 3D this year (we didn't make one for last year).

Small gameplay clip from Amanita Design's upcoming commercial venture Machinarium.

download Windows media video (5MB, right-click to save)
Machinarium preview one

Hadn't seen any other sites picking up on this deal yet (presumably because everyone should have played it by now), but the price of Portal on Steam has been slashed by half from $19.99 to $9.99. Good time to add one of the best-rated games from last year to your collection. Note that the offer is valid for this weekend only, and ends on September 1st.

Portal on Steam

The Hordes is a new vertical shooter by the developer of Destructivator and Return to Sector 9. There is a hint of Galaxians here, but the difference is that enemy waves get increasingly difficult to destroy whenever your ship receives a weapon upgrade by one level. Tougher enemies yield more points. Annihilate large-sized enemies to acquire power-up items.

You lose at least one level of weapon upgrade whenever a power-up item reaches the bottom of the screen or when your ship is destroyed. The video link is for a competition the developer is participating in, and has little to do with the game itself besides a show of support. (online high score table)

Name: The Hordes
Developer: Pug Fugly Games
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

Another interview with Edmund McMillen of Cryptic Sea, co-creator of Gish, Triachnid, Coil and numerous other indie, freeware and Flash releases. Part one of this interview can be found here.

Hi Edmund, it's been two months since we last spoke. How's Gish 2 coming along?

Gish 2 is moving along okay. Alex and I are both working on our own games as well as a new one together, so we take breaks from the big project to relax a bit. I think we both have found that doing smaller games on the side of big projects help keep the mojo flowing, and stops you from getting bored with the big one. Gish 2 is still due to come out next year, and we should have something cool to show the public in a few months.

Can you tell us more about the other projects you and Alex are both working on?

Alex is working on a new bridge builder game and it's looking and playing really nice. He's also working on an updated Ram Jets. He will unveil its new name and new gameplay in a few months so I don't want to spoil his suprise here. Oh, and we are going to start reworking an older game Alex made back in the day.

How about information on some of the smaller games?

I just finished up the C word and have started work on another small flash project that I'm just calling Space Boy for now, and another project with Florian (Himsl) that's called "I'll See You in Hell".

I am also working on a few small projects with Tommy (Refenes, of Goo!) and my own personal CD project is also in the works.

More indie games featured on this week's Bytejacker: Robson's Wall of Words, Team Polarity's Polarity and Tatsuya Koyama's GENETOS. (YouTube video)

Bytejacker episode 5

Hot Ninja Moon Moon is a short action platformer which took acidBatterie four weeks to create with the Game Maker engine. Use the W, A, S and D keys to move or jump over traps found in each of the fifteen stages. Press the jump button twice while in midair to execute a double jump move. The R key can be used to reset a level.

There are fifteen stages to play in total. The game also supports both single and two-player hotseat modes.

Name: Hot Ninja Moon Moon
Developer: acidBatterie
Category: Platformer
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB

Towerball is a short physics game created in under two days, where players will attempt to guide two coloured balls on a string towards the yellow target found in each of the seven towers included. Use the mouse to set a trajectory direction and speed, then left click to hit it. Press the right mouse button to dampen the ball and slow it down.

Every attempt at hitting the ball deducts a number between one to seven from your power counter, depending on the strength of your shot. The game ends when you've run out of power, but can be restored marginally by bouncing your ball off the walls in the early levels. A version for Java-enabled browsers is available from the same download page. (Ludum Dare entry)

Name: Towerball
Developer: Måns Olson
Category: Arcade
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB

Alternate Path is a short retro-style platformer with a simple premise, blocky graphics and very basic gameplay elements. Use the cursor keys to move, and press the up arrow key to jump.

A solution to the tricky text puzzle can be found in the comments section of the same download page.

Name: Alternate Path
Developer: David Yates
Category: Platformer
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

[Every week, Gamasutra sister weblog GamerBytes' editor Ryan Langley will be summing up the top console digital download news tidbits from the past 7 days, including brand new game announcements and scoops through the world of Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and WiiWare.]

While there has been plenty of news this week for the Xbox Live Arcade, including the release of Castle Crashers this Wednesday, there has been significant new information on PlayStation Network games from the Leipzig Game Convention too.

Here's the rundown of the top console digital download news for the week:

Xbox Live Arcade

Castle Crashers is your XBLA game of the week!
It's been two years of waiting, but the long awaited 4-player cooperative beat-em-up Castle Crashers is set to debut this Wednesday. Grab it for 1,200 Microsoft Points.

New Darwinia+ Trailer - King Of The Hill Multiplayer Madness
A new trailer for Multiwinia was released this week to give us a good look at what Darwinia+ might end up like on the Xbox Live Arcade. Looks like a ton of fun.

Hexiom Connect is a puzzle game where players will have to rearrange tiles on a hexagonal board so that all coloured lines are connected in order to clear a level. Left click and drag a tile to a new position to move it. Tile positions can also be swapped using the same method. Use the left shift key while clicking on a tile to mark and unmark it.

The game includes forty stages of varying difficulty, a color blind mode, and a level editor where players can save or share their creations by copying a line of code.

Name: Hexiom Connect
Developer: Biclops Games
Category: Puzzle
Type: Browser

The Necronomicon is a card game which involves two duelists locked in a deadly battle with only a deck of cards to influence combat proceedings. Both sides start out with forty life points, but gain an additional five maximum life points for each increase in level. The computer AI will gain one rank after each round of combat, but a player's level increase is determined by their performance in the previous battle.

To play a card, simply select one from your hand and click on book of Necronomicon at the center of the table. Sanity cost is shown at the bottom right of each card, although players are only penalized with a random insanity effect when their sanity counter is reduced to zero. The duel ends when one combatant loses all of his or her life points.

Only one creature can be summoned per side. Creatures do not attack directly, but will counterattack when their masters are injured by the opposing party. A creature's attack score is shown on the card itself and as a number in red when the creature is in play. Damage dealt by your creature is calculated by deducting the attack score of the opponent's summoned creature, then minus your opponent's armor rating or Elder Sign which is shown as a number next to a green symbol.

The red marking or Arcane Power is a bonus damage modifier for cards with the same symbol, while the yellow sign indicates the amount of damage you will take at the end of each turn due to spell or curse effects.

Games are automatically saved after every three levels, and there are twenty levels to play in total. Use the green plus and minus signs at the main menu to increase or decrease the quality of graphics. (Kongregate mirror)

Name: The Necronomicon
Developer: Games of Cthulhu
Category: Strategy
Type: Browser

AGD Interactive (King's Quest 1 and 2 VGA) is back after a near six-year hiatus from freeware projects with their third Sierra adventure game remake, Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire. Following the events chronicled in the prequel, our Hero of Spielburg is whisked away on a magic carpet to the land of Shapeir to undertake the dangerous mission of saving not one but two desert cities.

The 1990 release was rather unforgiving at times, as the entire adventure happens in one month but many puzzles can only be solved on certain days. The AGDI team has done much to alleviate the problems that hampered players from completing their quest with the inclusion several new features.

All conversation topics are now shown on screen instead of requiring guesswork using a limited text parser interface found in the original. Combat now feels less sluggish thanks to the processing power of modern day computer systems and extra frames of animation. Graphics, backgrounds and sprites have more colour than their classic counterparts, although deserts and alleyways still look as dull as ever.

Try running the game in windowed mode or choose a resolution of 640 by 400 for full screen if the default settings do not work at first. Due to AGS limitations, games saved under one display setup cannot be used for other configurations. (more screenshots in the extended)

Name: Quest for Glory 2 - Trial by Fire
Developer: AGD Interactive
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 90MB

Karoshi Factory is a new sequel to Jesse Venbrux's suicidal platformer series, where players must find unorthodox methods to kill all suits on screen in order to progress from one stage to the next. Use the Z key to jump, press the X key to shoot once a gun is acquired, and tap the space key to switch characters.

Press the R key to restart a level at any time. The F4 function key can be used to toggle between full screen and windowed modes. Note that touching the blue button causes a random effect, one of which is disabling the character switch function. (download instructions)

Name: Karoshi Factory
Developer: Jesse Venbrux
Category: Platformer
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB

The Lost Snowmen is a platformer starring three characters with different skill sets, who will have to assist each other during their adventures in order to fulfill a variety of level objectives. Use the cursor keys to move, press the Z key to switch between snowmen, and hold the X key to execute a specific action. Press the escape key to skip cutscenes, and use the F4 function key to switch between full screen and windowed mode.

Stages can be played out of order and attempted at leisure, while the inclusion of a level editor is simply icing on a very tasty cake. (download instructions)

Name: The Lost Snowmen
Developer: Red System
Category: Platformer
Type: Freeware
Size: 20MB

ByteAlity Tower Defense is a tower defense game with more than twenty types of towers to unlock and over a hundred maps to play. Much like RPGCreations' Immortal Defense, the coverage area for a tower can be reviewed by selecting a defense structure, then holding the left mouse button over a valid placement section. Release the button to build the structure immediately, and upgrade a tower by left-clicking on the tower again. Funds for tower purchases and upgrades can be amassed by taking out enemies before they reach the main building and inflict structural damage.

Earn additional points in each map by calling for the next wave of enemies before the timer counts down to zero. A short tutorial and comprehensive map editor are included, though certain features are disabled until a player has made sufficient progress in the campaign mode. (download instructions)

Name: ByteAlity Tower Defense
Developer: Erik Leppen
Category: Strategy
Type: Freeware
Size: 20MB

Starlit Zone Fighter - Remake is Lazrael's attempt at rehashing a previously-released horizontal shooter with updated graphics and substantially rebalanced gameplay. Ammo has to be replenished frequently by absorbing and digesting fruits using the C key. Hold the D key to shoot, and press the F4 function key to toggle full screen or windowed mode.

This demo contains the first three stages from the planned final release, with the third level cut off just after the first boss encounter.

Name: Starlit Zone Fighter - Remake
Developer: Lazrael
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 2MB

Bulletzorz is a new platformer created by the Hempuli (FIG) in less than one week, featuring nine playable stages and two difficulty settings to choose from. The objective of the game is to acquire all red diamonds in each level while trying to avoid contact with the wrong end of a bullet from either your own gun or an enemy cannon. This might prove tricky as players will need to use bullets as moving platforms to pass certain obstacles as well.

Note that you can also shoot upwards or downwards, while a level is restarted using the enter key as the developer had neglected to include an automatic reset option for failed attempts.

Name: Bulletzorz
Developer: Arvi Teikari
Category: Platform
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB
Direct download link: Click here

Jonathan Blow recently made an appearance on Destructoid's podcast, in which he talks to the Podtoid crew about Braid and answers some reader questions.

Also, Cliff Harris of Positech Games has done a couple of interviews resulting from the interest in game piracy issues.

Interview: Jonathan Blow (mp3)
Interviews: Cliff Harris (mp3 and text)

ShellBlast is now available as a free download from Game Giveaway of the Day for the next twenty hours or so.

The price of Audiosurf on Steam was also reduced by half (from $9.99 to $4.99) for this weekend only. Offer ends August 25th.

Note: contains strong language and graphic scenes.

Mayhem Triple is an action game which tells the story of Mig Carter, a desert dweller who is stirred from his sleep by strange noises in the middle of the night only to find killer rabbits on the loose. Use the W, A, S, and D keys to move your character around. Press the space key to jump, and hold the left mouse button to shoot. The scroll wheel can be used to switch weapons.

This short demo features three playable levels only.

Name: Mayhem Triple
Developer: Dustin Gunn
Category: Platformer
Type: Demo
Size: 10MB

Visit 2: Dark Tower is a sequel to Ted's puzzle platformer which was released two months before, where players must solve block puzzles in order to progress from one screen to the next. Use the F1 function key to review the controls, and press the S or down arrow key while standing over a save point to change colors. Tap the left or right cursor key twice to push a block.

The shift key can be used to switch buddies at any time. Press the space or enter key to view the world map, while full screen mode can be enabled from the options menu. The entire adventure should take roughly two hours to complete. (download instructions)

Name: Visit II: Dark Tower
Developer: Ted Lauterbach
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB

GameDesign's version of Mahjong is a single-player implementation of the timeless favorite from the East, where three computer AIs occupy each side of the table with turns taken in a counterclockwise manner. There are plenty of tutorials on learning mahjong available online, but the game basically involves matching four sets of tiles with a pair to win the round before any of your opponent does. Extra points are awarded when a player manages to match more tiles of the same suit, or have a set of wind and flower tiles which are slightly harder to acquire.

Name: Mahjong
Developer: GameDesign
Type: Browser

Swarm is a customizable strategy game created by Alex Vostrov in one week, where players assume control over a colony of bugs in a two-way battle for supremacy over the map. Health is indicated by two rows of coloured dots at the top of the screen, while waypoints can be moved around by dragging them to a new location using the left mouse button.

Add additional waypoints by clicking on the black flag on the left, choose any location on the map, then left click on the hive and drag a separate arrow towards the new waypoint. Multiple waypoints which are connected to each other can also be designated by using the left shift key when clicking on an existing waypoint.

There are three upgrades to acquire, and AI difficulty can be increased by using command line parameters.

Name: Swarm
Developer: Alex Vostrov
Category: Strategy
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Direct download link: Click here

[UPDATE: Sorry for the confusion, guys - we were waiting to get more info. This seems to be a Cave Story hack or mod - we're not sure if it's with Pixel's approval or not. Translation help is welcome.]

Hack9 is a Cave Story mod which requires some knowledge of the Japanese language to play, featuring a storyline unrelated to any of Pixel's creations. This version is labeled 1.0, and presumed to have taken the developer over a year to develop.

Use the cursor keys to move, and press the Z key to jump. Tap the X key to shoot when you've acquired a weapon. The status and inventory screen can be accessed using the A key. Choose the first option from the main menu to start a new adventure, or select the second line of text to restore a previously saved game. (additional video and screenshots in the extended, Vector link)

Name: Hack9
Developer: Kazuhiko
Category: Platformer
Type: Freeware
Size: 20MB

Shadez: The Black Operations is a new strategy game by Sean Cooper, developer of the Boxhead top-down zombie shooter series. The mission objective is to protect your side of the field from enemy infiltration by recruiting and purchasing units for battle. Health is deducted whenever an enemy unit makes it to the left side of the screen, and the game ends when health is completely depleted to zero.

New types of troops and weaponry can be added to your arsenal at the cost of additional funds. Assign basic orders to certain units by left clicking on them, then selecting an action from the menu located at the bottom of the screen.

Use the shift and arrow keys to view other parts of the map, or click on the mini-map to navigate faster. Press the P key to pause the game at any time, or use fast forward button to advance time quickly. Four difficulty settings with varying terrain patterns and field size are included. (game guide, gameplay video)

Name: Shadez - The Black Operations
Developer: Sean Cooper
Category: Strategy
Type: Browser

Gameplay video from Secret Exit's Sauna Dismount, the freeware prototype based on the Stair Dismount 2's engine which was submitted as Kiuasturvat for the Assembly 2008 game development competition. (Cinnamon Beats preview in the extended)

This week on Bytejacker: Craig Forrester's puzzle platformer Treasure Treasure, OUEO factory's arena shooter Debrysis and Nenad Jalsovec's retro action game Rescue: The Beagles.

Bytejacker episode 4

Jumper 3 is the much-awaited sequel to Matt's series of frustratingly difficult platformers, where players will once again be able to assume control over Ogmo as he traverse and explore over fifty levels' worth of challenges while acquiring new abilities along the way.

Use the S key to jump or select a menu option. Press the A key to cancel a selection or use a special ability, and hold the space key to restart a level. Full screen mode can be enabled from the options menu. (more screenshots in the extended)

Name: Jumper 3
Developer: Matt Thorson
Category: Platformer
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB
Direct download link: Click here

Mad Monday is a new action game from Felix Wiesner, developer of the seafaring adventure Treasure Seas Incorporated. You can use your Mustang to drive other vehicles off the road when bullets aren't enough to get them out of your way. Weapons and medikits can be collected during the chase to upgrade your guns or restore health.

Use the cursor keys to change lanes, and hold the A key to shoot. Press the space key to activate your flamethrowers when acquired. The game ends when you've arrived at your destination in Mexico. (Newgrounds mirror)

Name: Mad Monday
Developer: Mausland Entertainment
Category: Action
Type: Browser

The Official EDGE Computer Game is a small mini game created by Nifflas during the EDGE 2008 festival, featuring artwork and contribution from many of the visitors who attended the event. Players are given a hundred seconds to collect as many gems as they can, while trying to avoid contact with dangerous obstacles or harmful denizens of the underground network of caves and rooms.

Left click on the round object to set a direction, then release the button to see it take off.

Name: Det Officiella EDGE Dataspelet
Developer: Nifflas
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 20MB

From the2bears: The objective of Magnetic Shaving Derby is simple - attract the razor using the magnet as you attempt to make a clean shave without incurring any injuries. This homebrew release works on both DS consoles and emulators. (YakYak thread, The Hairy Chestival)

Putt Base can be described as a combination of mini-golf and The Incredible Machine, where blocks are used to direct a white golf ball towards the target hole to earn keys which unlock later levels. Click and drag the green arrow located next to the ball to set the travel direction. Use the space key to quickly release the ball or restart the level, and press the escape key to remove all blocks from the field.

Achievements in the shape of bronze, silver and gold coins are awarded based on distance traveled by ball, number of unused blocks and the time taken to solve each puzzle. (Newgrounds mirror)

Name: Putt Base
Developer: Jayc Santos
Category: Puzzle
Type: Browser

Breaking the Tower is a strategy game which involves careful resource management as you attempt to destroy the stone tower located at one end of an