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Frozenbyte: Early Days of the Wii U eShop / Trine 2 sales going "fairly well"

JoelFB

Vice President, Frozenbyte
Still no Patch for the PS3 version (unplayable in Asian consoles). Boo Frozenbyte!
Sorry - a patch is unlikely at this point (would only happen if we get the Goblin Menace expansion released, and that's another one that's starting to look unlikely due to a multitude of factors). However please get in touch with us and we should be able to sort it out one way or another. If you have already sent an email then I apologize, we have a bunch of issues in the queue, but hopefully we get most of it done before Christmas. (And if really desperate you can email one of the other addresses.) FYI The European PS3 version has the issue fixed to a playable degree (so it's "just" the North American version that can't update Skills with Asian consoles).

Replied there, sorry I hadn't seen it before.

Really? Where did anyone from the company state this?
Nowhere. :) There's not much to add to what I already said... perhaps what's also important to keep in mind is that we are self-publishing on the eShop, which means all the revenue comes to us directly, and that's awesome. So not only are we going to pass XBLA unit numbers eventually, the revenue is going to be bigger too... All of which is important to help us develop the next projects. :)

I also think the games on the eShop top lists are fairly close to each other in terms of success, so it seems like it has been a very successful launch to a bunch of independent developers. :)

A little Miiverse integration goes a long way to getting me to spend more hours on a game it seems. So glad to hear that the hope is still possible for a developer to explore patching in at least some basic elements into a released product. If you do this I'll be on it and drawing at every checkpoint in the game to miiverse if possible. Nintendo Land's community is only as large as it is due to that integration, I wish you guys the same level of following. :)
Yeah I think it would make a lot of sense for us. Hopefully the tech stuff isn't too difficult to implement, so let's see how it goes... :)
 

Gahiggidy

My aunt & uncle run a Mom & Pop store, "The Gamecube Hut", and sold 80k WiiU within minutes of opening.
I would have bought this game already if not that I still need to get around to adding an external drive to make digital copies possible. I really wish Nintendo had produced an official drive to match.

JoelFB, is there anyway for you guys to determine how many times your game has been downloaded and installed on a Deluxe Wii U as apposed to a Basic model?
 

Mael

Member
JoelFB I don't think I have commented on this game yet,
I command the job you've all done on this game, it's really, really good.
It's good to see that your project is a success.
I wasn't confident in getting the game before despite what everyone said and only tried thanks to the sale (yes they actually work) coupled with the Premium package stuffs I didn't understand at all :lol.
What I mean is good job.
hope the next project is as good as this one.

Btw if there's online play I can guarrantee another sale for you :p
 

blu

Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
I'm really glad for Frozenbyte. Talent and effort should get rewarded, as they are the only things which can keep the industry going. Keep on the great work, FB!
 
I already got this either for free or with a great discount through Playstation Plus a while back (don't remember if I paid or not). I assume there aren't really any major differences between the PSN version and this one...
 

Hero

Member
Nowhere. :) There's not much to add to what I already said... perhaps what's also important to keep in mind is that we are self-publishing on the eShop, which means all the revenue comes to us directly, and that's awesome. So not only are we going to pass XBLA unit numbers eventually, the revenue is going to be bigger too... All of which is important to help us develop the next projects. :)

I also think the games on the eShop top lists are fairly close to each other in terms of success, so it seems like it has been a very successful launch to a bunch of independent developers. :)

Yeah, that's what I meant to point out to Medallion, we'll see if he comes back to this thread or he was doing some awful drive-by posting. It amazes and baffles me that someone could post what he did despite you posting in this very thread about what the expectations were for the company. From everything you've said in this thread and others it sounds like you guys are really positive on the eShop as a whole, it's somewhat disappointing that people would rather come up with their own theories than listen to what you have to say. Your communication with us here on GAF has been greatly appreciated!

Looking forward to the patch, will probably pick it up as it soon as that's out.
 

JoelFB

Vice President, Frozenbyte
Thanks again guys. :)

JoelFB, is there anyway for you guys to determine how many times your game has been downloaded and installed on a Deluxe Wii U as apposed to a Basic model?
Not as far as I know. This kind of data relies on anecdotal evidence really - and we certainly see it here in Finland too: the Premium (Deluxe) is sold out everywhere and retailers don't know when they will get stock, whereas the Basic model is available in good quantities.

I assume there aren't really any major differences between the PSN version and this one...
Guess I can answer this... It depends how you see it - the Wii U version includes the following:

- Trine 2 (13 levels)
- Trine 2: Goblin Menace expansion (6 levels)
- Wii U exclusive level Dwarven Caverns

On Wii U the game matches up to the PC version of the game, which means some 20 updates or so compared to the PSN/XBLA launches. There's a lot of PC/Mac specific stuff but also some small tweaks, fixes and features that we've added in those updates (one that comes to mind is the Hardcore Mode that pumps up the difficulty, and makes the game a lot more rewarding to play in some cases (or a lot more frustrating/oldschool, especially if playing in co-op). However in all honesty, while the Wii U version is definitely the one we recommend to new players (along with PC), the PSN and XBLA versions are still good and work great, so I can't wholeheartedly recommend buying the game if you already have it. Unless you have plenty of money and are desperate for the extra content (which is in our opinion some of the best work we've ever done, of course).

We're still waiting to hear about the update so I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Also, North America might get some positive news tomorrow... But let's wait and see. :)
 

Kacho

Member
Not as far as I know. This kind of data relies on anecdotal evidence really - and we certainly see it here in Finland too: the Premium (Deluxe) is sold out everywhere and retailers don't know when they will get stock, whereas the Basic model is available in good quantities.

Huh... That's interesting to hear.


Also, North America might get some positive news tomorrow... But let's wait and see. :)

Sweet!
 
Thanks again guys. :)


Not as far as I know. This kind of data relies on anecdotal evidence really - and we certainly see it here in Finland too: the Premium (Deluxe) is sold out everywhere and retailers don't know when they will get stock, whereas the Basic model is available in good quantities.


Guess I can answer this... It depends how you see it - the Wii U version includes the following:

- Trine 2 (13 levels)
- Trine 2: Goblin Menace expansion (6 levels)
- Wii U exclusive level Dwarven Caverns

On Wii U the game matches up to the PC version of the game, which means some 20 updates or so compared to the PSN/XBLA launches. There's a lot of PC/Mac specific stuff but also some small tweaks, fixes and features that we've added in those updates (one that comes to mind is the Hardcore Mode that pumps up the difficulty, and makes the game a lot more rewarding to play in some cases (or a lot more frustrating/oldschool, especially if playing in co-op). However in all honesty, while the Wii U version is definitely the one we recommend to new players (along with PC), the PSN and XBLA versions are still good and work great, so I can't wholeheartedly recommend buying the game if you already have it. Unless you have plenty of money and are desperate for the extra content (which is in our opinion some of the best work we've ever done, of course).

We're still waiting to hear about the update so I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Also, North America might get some positive news tomorrow... But let's wait and see. :)
Thank you for your updates, Joel. I'm glad to hear that Frozenbyte has been able to earn its praise and success on eShop. Once I get a Wii U, your game will be one of the first games that I will buy.
 

DDayton

(more a nerd than a geek)
If there IS a discount tomorrow, I'll be slightly annoyed at having purchased it at launch. Oh well...

Edit: I suppose the "surprise" might be the voice chat patch, actually.
 
So are you guys going to try to make an original, ground-up Wii U game? Interested where you'd take the hardware and whatnot as opposed to porting an existing game from another platform.

And what's your view on the power of the console compared to the others? Is it next-gen to you?
 
Got this when I was drunk last week for my Wii U, and I have to say, I haven't had this much fun with a 2D platformer since Mischief Makers. I've been playing this a lot more than NSMB U, that's for sure.
 

JoelFB

Vice President, Frozenbyte
Indeed, the game now has a -20% discount in North America (US, Canada, Mexico), so it's $15.99 until January 7th (9 am). :)

For those who just bought the game in the last couple of days or just feel bummed about this new discount, feel free to get in touch and we'll figure something out. I'm not sure what that's going to be but we'll think of something... (Might take a while right now though.)

I hope this is welcome news to most though, we're happy that it was possible now just in time for Christmas. :)

In other news, it's starting to look like the update will not be released in December, at least not in North America. We had to fix some tech issues and I fear it's going to take until early January before it can be released... For Europe (and AU/NZ) it's not yet clear, we're expecting to hear something by the end of the week but it could go either way... I'll keep you posted.
 

DDayton

(more a nerd than a geek)
For those who just bought the game in the last couple of days or just feel bummed about this new discount, feel free to get in touch and we'll figure something out. I'm not sure what that's going to be but we'll think of something... (Might take a while right now though.)

E-mail sent. Bwahahaah.
 
Indeed, the game now has a -20% discount in North America (US, Canada, Mexico), so it's $15.99 until January 7th (9 am). :)

For those who just bought the game in the last couple of days or just feel bummed about this new discount, feel free to get in touch and we'll figure something out. I'm not sure what that's going to be but we'll think of something... (Might take a while right now though.)

I hope this is welcome news to most though, we're happy that it was possible now just in time for Christmas. :)

In other news, it's starting to look like the update will not be released in December, at least not in North America. We had to fix some tech issues and I fear it's going to take until early January before it can be released... For Europe (and AU/NZ) it's not yet clear, we're expecting to hear something by the end of the week but it could go either way... I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the update!! Going to download this and play with my sons on Christmas morning!!
 

OverHeat

« generous god »
Already have it on 360 not sure I will buy on wii u...cost to much for someone who already own a version of the game.
 

Celine

Member
Trine 2 DC was my launch game, aside from Nintendo Land, and I must say I'm very sattisfied.
l really like the writings (and voice over) for the three characters.
really make them standout.
 

Vinnk

Member
Shame this thread is so short. An awesome dev comes to talk directly to the fans and its mostly ignored. But anyway thank you for all the answers.
 
Every once in a while(happened about 3 times total) when I boot up the game, the initial title screen with the music comes on and when the music fades and is supposed to go into the blueish next title screen that has the loading bar...well, the music just loops and I am stuck on the first title screen and I have to unplug the console to get it back running.

Just throwing that out there in case, not sure whether it's the system that is glitchy or the game.

Besides that, the game is much better than I thought it would be.

I scoff at games that are all flash and no substance but this game is actually very well designed, the mechanics are very versatile and most importantly, it's dam fun.

I'm new to the series but along with his time to answer questions here, the developer and developers are one of the better indie developers I have seen and look forward to whatever they do in the future.

I bought the game at its original price and unless you have played it before, the game at the sale price is a steal.

A lot of content.
 

BowieZ

Banned
I really enjoyed the main campaign (haven't yet progressed out of the first room in Goblin extension), but then I've already made this clear on Miiverse <3
 

blu

Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
Shame this thread is so short. An awesome dev comes to talk directly to the fans and its mostly ignored. But anyway thank you for all the answers.
That's easily mended - all Joel has to do is drop something like 'U-CPU sucks' and/or 'U-GPU does not have enough shaders' and the thread will explode, circle around the internet gaming sites and come back to gaf, generating a dozen ripple threads within the first hour. /half-joking

Speaking of Trine and Frozenbyte - my first encounter of FB's work was the Trine demo on the ps3 - boy, was that game pretty for a Lost Vikings spin-off! ;p And quite clever too! Unfortunately, I couldn't play Trine2 due to a series of unfortunate events (essentially me playing the cat/mouse game with sony's fw updates on one hand, and removing steam from my home machines on the other), so the game remained hidden from me till the WiiU launch. So glad to be able to enjoy FB's craftsmanship once again!
 

blu

Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
Btw how do you rate the games on wii u?
On 3ds there is an option in the eshop, couldn t find it though.
Very similarly - you go to your shop profile, press the Rate Games (or somesuch) button which gives you a list of titles you've played for at least an hour, etc.
 

olimpia84

Member
Got this game due to the Wii U eShop sale and I'm already enjoying the heck out of it. Much better than the first entry imo, which I never managed to finished btw :p
 
Actually more than that. It's just too damn beautiful. Great music and voice acting, too.

it's a very good game, but let's not exaggerate. at a push, I wouldn't say it was worth the pre sale price due to limited replayability and such. the added levels are a nice bonus though, so I was happy to pay a premium over the other versions.

still, it's a very good game and very beautiful as you said, but not worth a penny more than its current sale price. sorry if that offends the developers who post here. just my honest opinion based on what I've played of it so far.
 

Celine

Member
Buy it now with discount or wait for patch and see what else is on eshop. Decisions decisions.
It's a game worth of a purchase if you are in for a fantasy action-puzzle sidescrolling game ( with a good use of the physic engine ).
You can download the patch after you have bought the game so I m not sure what you problem is in that regard.

Very similarly - you go to your shop profile, press the Rate Games (or somesuch) button which gives you a list of titles you've played for at least an hour, etc.
Thanks, must have missed.
 

JoseJX

Member
Just got this yesterday, it runs wonderfully and looks great on the Wii U controller screen. Thanks for the discount!
 

NeOak

Member
Thanks to this thread I was reminded of the sale. I'll buy it later.

Since the family room TV doesn't play nice with the WiiU due to overscanning, props to FB for including the second screen option, unlike certain companies *coughcapcomcough*
 

JavyOO7

Member
Very excited to play this. Once I fully complete NSMBU I will play this. I bought this on Friday with the sale along with Little Inferno and Chasing Aurora.
 
I bought this even though it was free on ps+ back in may. I barely played it on the ps3. Much better on Wii u with the stylus controls. I have been playing on the gamepad exclusively. Definitely worth the purchase on the eshop.
 
Every once in a while(happened about 3 times total) when I boot up the game, the initial title screen with the music comes on and when the music fades and is supposed to go into the blueish next title screen that has the loading bar...well, the music just loops and I am stuck on the first title screen and I have to unplug the console to get it back running.

This happened to me a while ago too. The only time I've had to unplug the console.
 
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