[Hero of Legend]

Teaser Artwork:

[IMG]http://i52.************/z0mio.jpg[/IMG]

Website:

http://aqi.co.jp/product/cubicninja/

It just hit me.

At the end of last year, Gamasutra interviewed Naoto Ohshima, who most know is the co-creator of Sonic, mostly credited for designing the Hedgehog himself, and before AQI's strange restructure, ran both Artoon and Cavia, he told the website that he was making something new in response to their question if he thinks it's possible to make a new mascot-style platformer in the current era:

Do you think it would be possible to make another mascot-style platforming game in the current era? NO: Ah, well, I'm making a game like that right now. (laughs) I can't quite talk about that yet, though. In more general terms, the game needs to be something that anyone is able to play, and it needs to have one thing or element that is brand new, that hasn't been done before.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/featur...ma_.php?page=1

Give it a read, there's quite a bit of good stuff in it!

And what do we have here? An original IP by AQI for the 3DS that's starring a Ninja in a seemingly 2D side-scrolling platformer with an interesting style:

http://www.4gamer.net/games/107/G010761/20100929077/

http://picasaweb.google.ca/GoldMetalSonic/CubicNinja#





I was curious if it was possible he was referring to FlingSmash due to Nintendo's tight-lipped nature, possibly not wanting Ohshima to talk about the game.

But this seems to be that game. FlingSmash's not really a platformer, I'd call it a puzzle-action game.

Thoughts? Cubic Ninja's really caught my eye for its quirky nature, something I highly expect from something by Ohshima, and I couldn't help but see the Cubivore resemblance from that enemy. :P

Would someone kindly translate the info at 4Gamer? I'll add it to the OP. :)

Edit: Info, thanks Josh7289!

From 4Gamer:

Cubic Ninja (temp.) / AQ Interactive Release date: Spring 2011 Genre: Action puzzle Players: One Tilt, shake, and shake again to make a cube-shaped ninja escape from a trick mansion. Physics-based mechanisms, collapsing blocks, and huge steel balls are some of the challenges that confront the ninja. Furthermore, it is possible to create one’s own trick mansions and exchange them with everyone else.

From Famitsu:

Cubic Ninja (temp.) Nintendo 3DS’ functions include more than just stereoscopic 3D. There is also a gyroscope on board, so it is possible to play games by tilting the console, too. And the work “Cubic Ninja (temp.)” is challenging itself to feature that function. The object of the game is simply to move the cube-shaped “Ninja-kun” to the goal site. Because the gyroscope recognizes not only up, down, left, and right, but also front and back, occasionally you have to invert the system and hold it that way to play. In theory, there is also the 3D display, but because you move the console itself during gameplay you can’t feel the effect very well……but, the scenes before a showdown with a boss, etc. are in perfect 3D. As a game, it was genuinely amusing.

Edit 2: Moar! Thanks ILikeFeet!

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201...er_publishers/

Cubic Ninja From AQ Interactive, this action puzzle game gives you control of a cube-shaped ninja and has you attempt to escape a mansion. You'll need to deal with the various traps that fill the mansion, including breaking blocks and giant steel balls. You control the action by tilting the 3DS system. The game also includes a mansion editor. You can create your own trap filled mansions and exchange them with other players. A release is set for Spring.

Edit 3: Famitsu info, thanks AndriaSang. :)

Main character's name is CC CC is out to save his friends who have been imprisoned in the mansion Use the 3DS's gyro sensors to guide the character to the goal

[Vic]

Looks a lot like Portal, when it comes to the style.

[Fantastical]

[Poyunch]

[IMG]http://i.neoseeker.com/mgv/9935-Akira_EX/935/31/144a161.gif[IMG]

That's gonna look freaky in 3D.

[Cow Mengde]

The art kind of reminds me of 3D Dot Heroes.

I wonder if we'll see a game called 3D Dot Heroes on the 3DS. Maybe 3D Dot Heroes 2, or 3D Dot Heroes 3D.

Gotta remove the horrible depth of field though.

[seady]

I am looking forward to this. Seems to be designed around the use of 3D screen - which a lot of 3DS games lack, as they're simply bringing old franchise and add in 3D effect. This game on the other hand is clearly designed around it.

The art kind of reminds me of 3D Dot Heroes. I wonder if we'll see a game called 3D Dot Heroes on the 3DS. Maybe 3D Dot Heroes 2, or 3D Dot Heroes 3D.

3D Dot Heroes would be awesome on 3DS!

[Mashing]

Looks a lot like Portal, when it comes to the style.

Goddamn, a Portal 3DS would be the shit... I can't even imagine the puzzles they could come up with.

[KamenSenshi]

This looks pretty nice. Dig the style.

[sixteen-bit]

Yep I really like the look of this.

[abstract alien]

Every time I see a game with a chrome-ish look, I think of P.N.03
This does look interesting though, but hopefully it moves smoothly.

[TreIII]

Hmm, looks interesting. Hopefully, it'll come out close to launch, where it can ideally not get lost in the shuffle as time goes on.

[Josh7289]

Here's a translation of the description at the 4Gamer page, which is from a press release, by the way:

Cubic Ninja (temp.) / AQ Interactive Release date: Spring 2011 Genre: Action puzzle Players: One Tilt, shake, and shake again to make a cube-shaped ninja escape from a trick mansion. Physics-based mechanisms, collapsing blocks, and huge steel balls are some of the challenges that confront the ninja. Furthermore, it is possible to create one’s own trick mansions and exchange them with everyone else.

Also, the caption under the bottom left screenshot at the 4Gamer page says that you guide the ninja solely by tiling the 3DS console.

Looks like a pretty interesting game. Portal-ish.

[Josh7289]

Also, Famitsu had a play trial of the game:

http://www.famitsu.com/news/201009/29034205.html

Cubic Ninja (temp.) Nintendo 3DS’ functions include more than just stereoscopic 3D. There is also a gyroscope on board, so it is possible to play games by tilting the console, too. And the work “Cubic Ninja (temp.)” is challenging itself to feature that function. The object of the game is simply to move the cube-shaped “Ninja-kun” to the goal site. Because the gyroscope recognizes not only up, down, left, and right, but also front and back, occasionally you have to invert the system and hold it that way to play. In theory, there is also the 3D display, but because you move the console itself during gameplay you can’t feel the effect very well……but, the scenes before a showdown with a boss, etc. are in perfect 3D. As a game, it was genuinely amusing.

[Lijik]

I really like what I'm reading about this game, and the art style is great. Hope it turns out well

[ILikeFeet]

nice to see a game that doesn't force 3D at every moment. hope it's good

[Hero of Legend]

Added to the OP, thanks Josh7289! :D

[ILikeFeet]

LEVEL EDITOR! and that means you can send them to other people

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201...er_publishers/

[Hero of Legend]

LEVEL EDITOR! and that means you can send them to other people http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201...er_publishers/

Huge thanks! I'll add Cubic's info to the OP, I added the rest in the new thread. :)

[abstract alien]

Thanks for keeping the op updated :D

Hmmm, I wonder how blurry this might look in 3d mode? Might have to go 2d on this one off it isn't vivid while moving the system.

[Fantastical]

Really hope level sharing in most 3DS games don't require friend codes. That's such bullshit.

[Hero of Legend]

Wait a minute, didn't Yoshi's Topsy Turvy, also by Artoon for GBA use tilt to move Yoshi in a 2D plane?

Ohshima directed YIDS if I recall, I'm not sure about YTT.

[Hero of Legend]

It's in this week's Famitsu!

[Boney]

go ninjas

[QuiteWhittle]

It's in this week's Famitsu!

What other games are in this week's issue?

[Hero of Legend]

What other games are in this week's issue?

For 3DS at least, all five of Level-5's 3DS games, and Love Plus.

[Hero of Legend]

I'm disappointed that NO ONE summarized what Famitsu supposedly said about the game, no scans, nada.

We didn't go empty-handed though, AQ indeed opened up a teaser site at the very least:

http://aqi.co.jp/product/cubicninja/

Anyone else notice how similar he looks to AQ's logo?

[IMG]http://i56.************/2rf4v3p.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i52.************/25zme8j.png[/IMG]

AQ also has another quirky piece of art, I'll put it into the OP. :)

Related news, FlingSmash's website just opened:

http://flingsmash.com/

I notice how the copyright info still shows Artoon, this seems to be the last game that Artoon will have it's identity in. Club Penguin: Game Day for Wii initially was announced to be by Artoon, but after the restructure, the game came out with the AQ logo instead.

Speaking of, why don't I share a couple of things. :)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ds6572gu4qns0oh

I've got more for those interested. :)

[Boney]

Awesome job bro

[pje122]

Is there a .gif of this where he gives the middle finger at the end, or did I just make that up?

[Hero of Legend]

http://www.famitsu.com/news/201010/25034978.html

Famitsu finally posted something, they only show a single new screen and the front and back art of the Ninja fellow.

Can anyone translate the small bit of info in it please? I'll add it to the OP with credit of course. :)

[Boney]

Oh man, it looks soo gooood

[abstract alien]

Ha, he looks pretty cool. I've always liked characters that were just completely unrealistic like this.

Is there a .gif of this where he gives the middle finger at the end, or did I just make that up?

I don't think I've ever seen that one, but it would be nice lol

[AndriaSang]

http://www.famitsu.com/news/201010/25034978.html Famitsu finally posted something, they only show a single new screen and the front and back art of the Ninja fellow. Can anyone translate the small bit of info in it please? I'll add it to the OP with credit of course. :)

There's not much there that we don't know already:

Main character's name is CC
CC is out to save his friends who have been imprisoned in the mansion
Use the 3DS's gyro sensors to guide the character to the goal

I wonder how they're going to mix the 3D with the gyro sensor, as the 3D effect is supposed to be hard to view from odd angles.

[Shig]

Use the 3DS's gyro sensors to guide the character to the goal

Enthusiasm totally destroyed.

edit: Oh, this was known? I really should have paid better attention to this thread, I guess.

[abstract alien]

There's not much there that we don't know already: Main character's name is CC CC is out to save his friends who have been imprisoned in the mansion Use the 3DS's gyro sensors to guide the character to the goal I wonder how they're going to mix the 3D with the gyro sensor, as the 3D effect is supposed to be hard to view from odd angles.

I have no idea if its the same screen tech or not, but I got a chance to play with one of the Fuji 3D cameras and I was a bit shocked at how visible the picture was from an angle. It lost its 3D effect, but it wasn't blurred nearly as much as I would have guessed. It really resembled a regular 2D display until you looked at it dead on.

Enthusiasm totally destroyed. edit: Oh, this was known? I really should have paid better attention to this thread, I guess.

Well, its one of those things that could work nicely if its given proper care and attention in design(and if the framerate is good). Not that I have faith in them to pull it off, but ill wait and see before dismissing it.

[Poyunch]

I AM ONLY A NINJA MAN

[Hero of Legend]

There's not much there that we don't know already: Main character's name is CC CC is out to save his friends who have been imprisoned in the mansion Use the 3DS's gyro sensors to guide the character to the goal I wonder how they're going to mix the 3D with the gyro sensor, as the 3D effect is supposed to be hard to view from odd angles.

Hmm, well at least we have a name. :) Thanks! Added to OP.

[blu]

Genuinely interested.

[Earl Cazone]

Is there a .gif of this where he gives the middle finger at the end, or did I just make that up?

there is one. i dont know where i saw it, but it exists

[cooljeanius]

There's not much there that we don't know already: Main character's name is CC CC is out to save his friends who have been imprisoned in the mansion Use the 3DS's gyro sensors to guide the character to the goal I wonder how they're going to mix the 3D with the gyro sensor, as the 3D effect is supposed to be hard to view from odd angles.

Supposedly it works if you move the 3DS with your body so you're always looking at it from the same angle.

[abstract alien]

Supposedly it works if you move the 3DS with your body so you're always looking at it from the same angle.

Hmmm...never thought about using the 3DS as an ab cruncher. Good idea.

[Father_Brain]

Not sure if there's enough interest to justify a new thread, but Ubisoft is officially publishing the game in the US and Europe this summer. Some JP sites have reported that it doesn't support stereoscopic 3D at all, but since it's now confirmed to have circle pad support, that may not actually be the case.

Ubisoft is happy to announce Cubic Ninja, the Nintendo 3DS title that lets you play without ever touching a button. Simply tilt and turn your Nintendo 3DS to solve challenging puzzles, outwit devious enemies and escape intricate traps. Cubic Ninja places you in the role of CC, a brave little ninja with a distinctly cubic shape. The princess of your beloved kingdom – plus a few of your ninja friends – has been abducted. It's up to you to save everyone! You must tilt and turn your way through over 100 eye-opening levels, defeating adversaries such as Woofbot, Scorchbot and more! From raging infernos to elemental forces of wind and water, your enemies will do whatever it takes to stop you. But you won't be stopped. If you have to tumble till you're dizzy, or survive raging waters just to rescue the princess, then you will. Because you're Cubic Ninja. And that's how you roll. KEY FEATURES ELECTRIFYING GAMEPLAY – Who needs buttons? Tilt and turn controls guide Cubic Ninja through more than 100 challenging levels. Or simply use the Circle Pad. MASTER NINJUTSU SKILLS – Outwit cunning traps and rescue your fellow Ninjas by earning and unleashing mysterious Ninjutsu skills. CHALLENGE YOUR FRIENDS – Race through a level as quickly as you can, share a ghosted replay of your best run, and dare your friends to beat it. UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY – Create your own pulse-quickening levels and display them as a QR Code that can be shared with players all over the world.

[From The Dust]

Should have named the character CCC

[sixteen-bit]

Nice to hear it's getting a release in the west.

[Fernando Rocker]

This game and Super Monkey Ball are the reason why I want a 3DS at launch!

[Father_Brain]

US box art:

[webrunner]

"3d mode for ages 7+"?

[Fernando Rocker]

3D confirmed!

Yes!

[Fernando Rocker]

Guys... watch the part from 0:39 to 0:42

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=UxIMkhAe5H0

That kind of gameplay will look extremely well in 3D.

[Father_Brain]

Hmm... AQI flat-out told Joystiq earlier this month that there was "no stereoscopic 3D in [the] main game." Maybe that only applies to the Japanese version.

[TheGreatMightyPoo]

3D confirmed! Yes!

Yeah, some told me it was 2D only before.