The lights are on
Even though EA decided to cut back its distribution plans, the EA Partners program is still alive and well. The publishing group recently signed two new downloadable indie titles.
Gamasutra reports that EA Partners has picked up Shank and DeathSpank as its first two digital distributed releases. EA Partners outreach director Jamil Moledina told Gamasutra that the program is "not going to necessarily limit ourselves because of distribution mechanisms."
If you're not familiar, Shank is a new 2D sidescrolling beat-em-up from Klei Entertainment, the same group that created N+ and Eets. DeathSpank comes from Hothead Games (the developer behind the Penny Arcade Adventures) and Ron Gilbert (of Monkey Island fame). This goofy-looking title (pictured above) has been described as "Monkey Island meets Diablo."
Hothead CEO Ian Wilkinson opened up to Gamasutra about the troubles the new developer faced with Penny Arcade Adventures.
"The Penny Arcade series didn't sell as well as we would have liked," he said. "Critically, it was well-received, but commercially, from our perspective, [it wasn't]. Most companies would be happy with the performance, but we are not.... With Penny Arcade, yes, a lot of people knew about it, but we just couldn't transition those people into buyers."
Moledina pointed out that these games will have a smaller marketing budget but will receive the same quality of marketing as other EA Partners titles such as Brutal Legend, Left 4 Dead 2, and The Beatles: Rock Band.
Those are the most disturbing title names I have ever heard
YAY! Bring Shank to my home consoles please!
I just love the name Gamasutra
"The Penny Arcade series didn't sell as well as we would have liked,"
Probably because the first game was fairly expensive for a downloadable game. I think that at the 9.99 price point, you would have found a good deal more success. I would have bought it.
I just looked, and the original is STILL $20. Sorry... hope DeathSpank is more reasonably priced.
At the $20 price point, I start looking on Amazon for games that I missed as new releases. I'm not looking to pay full price for a downloadable game that came out a year ago.
While the Penny Arcade game is really awesome, I do agree that 1600 points was a bit much, it probably would have sold much better at 800 or even 1200. I will definitely be picking up DeathSpank, anything from the man who pleasantly twisted my sense of humor when I first played Monkey Island in my younger days has, in my opinion, got to be of top quality.
Can't wait to have my hands on those games.
too bad its not called ankie shankie for no aparent reason
Shank looks great, so I'm glad they got the attention of publishers now.
I agree. I loved the demo, but I'm not going to pay $20 dollars for it. I'll bet they'll see alot more sales if it drops to 800ms.
The big fella shares similarities with Captain Quark; same face/big chin deal
Deathspank and shank- what a retarded name lol. Looks like EA is going everywhere hiring and firing folks just to increase there pockets. Im starting to dislike them for some odd reason.. As for this game, i'll here the critic before I decide if its worth a skinny 20- better yet, i'll download the trial
Please bring Shank to PSN. Or DeathSpank. Or both. Just bring something!
It is a business but the price for penny arcade is still too high..i am not paying 20 for a penny arcade game..maybe 10 bucks..sure i will cough it up...