Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken Brings Jet-Pack Poultry To PSN

Being the creator of the Rocketbirds and being the only European team member of Ratloop (I’m the Belgian) it gives me great pleasure to post something here about our upcoming cinematic platform game, titled “Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken”!
Rocketbirds gets its stylistic influences from the European comics I read when I was growing up – When I started reading comics, it was Ravian, Tin Tin, Asterix, Storm, Lucky Luke, then later, as a teenager (and beyond), I started following comic book artists such as Jean Giraud, Simon Bisley and Jamie Hewlitt. I’d always liked reading the absurdist tales of the 2000 AD comics (Judge Dredd, ABC Warriors etc.), so I decided to tell a dark, absurdist tale of my own in Rocketbirds.

Hardboiled Chicken, a chicken so tough he survived being boiled as a foetus, jet-packs into Albatropolis on his way to kill the totalitarian and ‘fearless’ leader of the penguins: ‘Il Putzki’. Unfortunately, he crashes in the wrong place and must run, shoot and climb the rest of the way. With your help, many penguins will lose their lives, a revolution will be sparked and much ammo will be wasted!
The available power of the PlayStation 3 allowed for a vast improvement on the controls, visuals, and gameplay compared to our browser game “Rocketbirds: Revolution!” which became a triple Finalist game at the 2010 Independent Games Festival. Here we were given another chance to further iterate on the original, polish and get things right. New features such as a jetpack mode and a couch co-op mode have been added on top of new weapons, new enemies, new levels, new movies and new tracks by LA based indie band, New World Revolution. The environments and artwork have undergone a complete 3D makeover and the game also offers stereoscopic 3D support, running at a super smooth 60 Hz at 720p.

I hope you guys will have as much fun playing the game as we have had making it!
Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken will launch exclusively on the Playstation Network in the SCEE territories by the end of this year. Launch date will be revealed at a later date.

PlayStation Home

PlayStation Home: Get Fit with PlayStation Home

On Thursday 22nd September from 8AM BST PlayStation Home will be briefly offline for scheduled maintenance. Here are some details on what to expect after the update.
Audi are delighted to announce the release of their new game in the Audi Home Terminal. Become the Audi Gecko, avoid hazards, get the powerups, increase your score and see how far you can go! Try to beat the hi-scores on the global leaderboard as you battle to unlock 9 trophies in the new Audi Gecko Reward Cabinet for your personal spaces. Stay sticky!
The Lockwood Publishing Showcase is scheduled to launch soon! Visit Caramel in the Plaza for a limited time Lockwood Emote reward and don’t forget to head over to the Showcase Lobby to pick up your FREE shopping bag in preparation for opening night.

Got an eighties training montage to complete but lack the suitable attire? Not anymore! Slip into the Retro Fitness shorts and bodywarmer and pound those stairs. Made it to the top? Well what are you waiting for guys? Get back down there! Rock hard abs don’t make themselves.
Ladies, why not don a cute vest top, a funky visor and some sweatbands and throw some shapes on the dancefloor. Don’t remember the eighties? You don’t need to! Just shake it like you mean it and you’ll have the time of your life.

This week we also welcome new PlayStation Home publisher Granzella Inc, who have this to say about their debut release:

Explore the Southern Island Hideaway!
You have washed ashore on an isolated Southern island. Fortunately, this is not a deserted island. Shining sun, and calm, beautiful waters. What’s this? You have been searching for this paradise, and now in front of your eyes…
Personal Water Craft Race
Challenge the water craft race accessed from the pier. Take the lead when you race with your up to 4 friends!

Ocean Floor Treasure Hunt
If you look closely at the seabed, there are bright and sparkling areas. Reach to the glitter that might be a nice reward. Don’t forget to hold your breath!

Head over to the Southern Island Hideaway on the PS Home navigator to see all that the island has to offer.

In other news, Konami releases another instalment into their popular Gladiators line up. This time the set includes classic gladiator gear such as the Murmillo helmet and Roman style helmet. You’ll find that you can customise these items just by changing your hair colour!
Lastly, now is your last chance to take advantage of the LucasArts PS Home sale. Pick up the Stormtrooper outfit, Blue or Black Lightsaber or Everything Empire Strikes Back Bundle with a massive 50% off. But hurry – this offer is only available until the maintenance starts on 22nd September.