LATEST NEWS from DIGITAL EEL

December 29, 2005

Hot off the hyperpress: Game Tunnel just posted their 2005 Top 10 Games of the Year rundown and Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space nabbed the #2 spot (!), just sneaking in behind our favorite kind of competition, Oasis, a nifty Egyptian-themed strategy game by the groovy folks at Mind Control. (As if we compete. We're happy Oasis got the #1 spot because we like the game too. Congrats guys!) Go here to see the full top 10 and check out all of the games. Interstellar thanks from Gorgar, Grep and Slordax to all at Game Tunnel for your continued and amazing support!

Ripcord out.


December 26, 2005

Just in: Kieron Gillen posted a thoughtful review of Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space for Eurogamer, the preeminent UK game site. Kieron seems to really like the game, and you can read his critique (and see his rating) here. Thanks to all at Eurogamer (& Happy Holidays too) for your support from Ripcord & the gang!


December 24, 2005

Moondance Games Ships "Independent Games"

Here's the scoop: "Moondance Games has begun shipping its officially IGF-sanctioned PC game compilation Independent Games to U.S. retailers. Previously IGF-entered games on the compilation (with developer permission!) include full versions of Dark Horizons, Lore, Global Defense Network, Rocketbowl and Strange Adventures In Infinite Space, as well as demo versions of Gish, Creatrix and others, with significant other contributions from long-time IGF entrants Digital Eel, Chronic Logic and Large Animal Games."

This is a nice collection, a really good value too, jam-packed with cool games that will knock your socks off. Also, Independent Games includes full versions of Plasmaworm, Strange Adventures In Infinite Space, Dr. Blob's Organism and Big Box of Blox together on one CD for the first time. That's a milestone for us and four times the normal amount of Digital Eel for you!


December 23, 2004

Happy Holidays!
Download .bmp format wallpaper here. (1.7MB)

December 22, 2005 (links updated)

The Weird Worlds version 1.11 patch (updated 12/24) has been released and you can get it here. This is an awesome update so don't miss it!

The Infinite Space Federation website is now in full effect. Stop by for mods, hints and info, and say hi to other gamers and fans of Weird Worlds and Strange Adventures in Infinite Space on the forums.

So far, Weird Worlds has a 4+ rating at Moby Games. Go take a look and you can vote too!

Gamezone interviewed Rich Carlson, co-creator of Weird Worlds. Go here to read it.

Visit The Weird Worlds of A. E. van Vogt and read the first chapter of The Voyage of the Space Beagle, one of the sources that inspired Strange Adventures in Infinite Space and Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space.

Ripcord Out.


December 21, 2005

Game Tunnel 2005 Adventure/Quest Game of the Year
Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space

Wow, this one caught us by surprise! Game Tunnel has begun their annual Game of the Year countdown, and Weird Worlds was chosen as GOTY in the adventure & quest category. (Go see.) Honestly, all of the nominated games are terrific so you should defintely check out the ongoing article for links. Anyhow, thanks from all at Eel for a nice X-mas present, Game Tunnel!

Ripcord Out.


December 12, 2005

Game Industry News Reviews Weird Worlds
"(Weird Worlds) could compete in the same space with games costing a lot more. For what you get, (the game) is an incredible value"

"The battles all look great with all the weapons getting a complete redesign (from its precursor, SAIS) and plenty of explosions to keep adrenaline junkies happy."

"Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space is a quantum leap forward in both graphical presentation, depth of play and even the storyline."

"The simple gameplay is easy to learn and difficult to master, like any great title."

That's what John Breeden, chief editor at Game Industry News, had to say in his rave review of Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space. (Check out the review yourself here.) I don't want to spoil the surprise but John awarded the game a whole bunch of gems! Thanks from Digital Eel to all at GIN for your enthusiastic support!

Ripcord Out.


December 11, 2005

2006 IGF Finalists Announced

Zounds! Looks like Digital Eel is off to the Game Developers Conference once again! Here's the scoop direct from the Independent Games Festival website:

Following an amazing set of entries for this year's IGF, we're pleased to announced that the judges have picked this year's Independent Games Festival finalists, and they are as follows:
Seumas McNally Grand Prize: Darwinia, Dofus, Professor Fizzwizzle, Weird Worlds: Return To Infinite Space, Wildlife Tycoon: Venture Africa.

Best Web Browser Game: Dodge That Anvil, Moleculous, Dad 'N Me.

Innovation In Game Design: Rumble Box, Strange Attractors, Braid, The Witch's Yarn, Darwinia.

Technical Excellence: Saints & Sinners Bowling, Tribal Trouble, Tube Twist, Darwinia, Crazy Ball.

Innovation In Visual Art: Dofus, Darwinia, Putt Nutz, Glow Worm, Thomas And The Magical Words

Innovation In Audio: Professor Fizzwizzle, Saints & Sinners Bowling, Dodge That Anvil, Glow Worm, Weird Worlds: Return To Infinite Space.

Ripcord out.


November 29, 2005

Purchase and download Weird Worlds!

Yep, now you can purchase Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space online and download it directly to your own 'puter. Ain't the future fun! Many gamers have requested a downloadable version. How could we say no? So, as is traditional with Digital Eel games, you have two ways (#1: CD version & #2: downloadable version) to drop Weird Worlds into your X-mas stocking, er, well, something like that. At any rate, having a choice is good, and now you have one thanks to the fine folks at Shrapnel Games!

It's unanimous!
Weird Worlds: Game of the month at Game Tunnel

Holy hyperspace, Lextor, Weird Worlds gets a big fat 9 out of 10 from the staff at Game Tunnel! We don't know how this happened -it wasn't by orbital mind control laser, we promise- but we're sure glad they liked the game enough to propel it to Game of the Month status! Btw, Game Tunnel is one of the premier indie game review sites on the WWW, so we're grateful for their support. Thanks guys!

M2G2 update!

Two new Weird Worlds/Modmaker's Guide to the Galaxy tutorials have been posted. Particle Effects describes the Weird Worlds particle system in detail. Creating an Alien Race shows you how to create new adversaries for the game (example mod download included). So modders, stop by and learn some more neat stuff!

Ripcord out.


November 14, 2005

More interstellar news from beyond the Purple Void! Iikka has opened up the much-anticipated Modmaker's Guide to the Galaxy website. What is it? As Dave Bowman said in a certain movie with a mysterious black monolith in it, "Something wonderful." Here's a snippet:
"This website will contain various tutorials we hope to be useful to people who make mods for Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space. While starting small, the site will grow over time to cover most everything there is to modifying the game."
First up, a few basics and a tutorial for creating new starships! If you want to begin customizing your Weird Worlds game right away, click here now!

Ripcord out.


November 11, 2005

STRANGE ADVENTURES IN INFINITE SPACE SOURCE CODE

Now that Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space is available from Shrapnel Games, Digital Eel is pleased to announce the release of the Strange Adventures in Infinite Space source code! The source is available under the ever-popular GNU General Public License. Note that the license does not extend to the graphics, sounds etc.

To read more and download the code, go to the SAIS Source Code page.


November 10, 2005

The Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite
Space FREE DEMO has been released!

Shrapnel Games press release follows:

Hampstead, NC, 10 November, 2005

Digital Eel and Shrapnel Games are proud to present the official demo for Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space (now shipping for Windows). You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll proclaim it's the best damn space game you can play in fifteen minutes. Why, it's not just a demo, it's a way of life.

The demo weighs in at 17 MB, so even if you're stuck on the International Space Station you have no reason not to download it. Best of all the demo is essentially Weird Worlds: The Mini-Game. Digital Eel simply didn't yank a bunch of features out and then slap a timer on the whole thing, rather they lovingly handcrafted a digital delight to showcase the wonders of the Weird Worlds universe.

In the demo gamers will enjoy commanding a pirate corvette in a full ten-year pirate mission, on a small star playing field. While the demo doesn't include everything in the retail game, there is still a dark matter reactor's worth of goodies. You'll be able to encounter strange new races (and crush them in combat), enjoy special events, and generally have a great time.

And while you could probably vigorously play the demo repeatedly until your hand cramps and you start to go blind, we know that at some point you'll yearn for more than just being the Galactic Blackbeard of a small galaxy. You'll want to see more stars, more missions, more events…more, more, more! Aww, yeah.

The full retail version of Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space is your answer. Adding five more alien races, fourteen more starship types, science and military missions, medium and large starmaps, mod support, and many more special events, the full version is the gift that keeps on giving. It even includes a battle simulator, perfect for when your inner-Federation wants to take a backseat to your inner-Klingon Empire. Heck, it's engrossing enough that it's almost like getting two games for the price of one!

Download the Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space demo here!

For more information on Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space go here.

For news, free demos, complete product descriptions, and to sign up for our newsletter please visit the Shrapnel Games website.

To visit our company blog, click here.


November 9, 2005

Here's some news of interest to both SAIS players and Weird Worlds players! Now you can communicate with other Digital Eel-ified space gamers on the Infinite Space Federation Forums AND the Shrapnel Games Forums.

Infinite Space Federation is a comprehensive site devoted to all aspects of SAIS and Weird Worlds from spoilers to mods. The Shrapnel Games Forums is specifically devoted to Weird Worlds hosted by the publisher of the game. Who? The fine folks at Shrapnel Games of course!

More good news: Jeremy Johnson has recently released v1.2 of Even Stranger Adventures in Infinite Space, one of our (and fans') favorite mods created for SAIS. Don't miss this important update. Download it here and prepare yourself for even more strangeness from a mod that's just plain fun!

Ripcord out.


November 4, 2005


Yes it's true! Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space has just been released by Shrapnel Games and is now available on their website or direct from Gamers Front. (Read the press release here.) We're very happy to make this announcement because it means you can be "out there" blasting pesky Deep Hunters (and lots more!) to smithereens right away! Can I hear a woot?

All of the disgusting aliens, curious characters and mind-mangling goodies from SAIS are back, but Weird Worlds adds different map sizes, more stars to explore, better visuals and sound, more ships to choose from, a beefy combat simulator, more aliens, three types of missions, more enemy starship types, more items and ship systems, more artifacts and encounters, more alien critters, more special encounters, and more, and More, and MORE!

Did I just oversell WW just a little bit there? Nah. This puppy has oomph.

We hope you'll head over to the Shrapnel site and check out the feature list and screenshots. It will give you a good idea of what Weird Worlds is all about. Meanwhile, the Weird Worlds demo is in the works and should be ready for download very soon.

Our thanks to all at Shrapnel, the Shrapnel Games testers and the Digital Eel Fearless Testers for your help, time and TLC. We literally could not have done it without you and you helped us refine and improve the game immeasurably. Congratulations are in order too because you guys and gals all deserve it!

Btw, we'll be posting Weird Worlds news (and other news) more regularly. Suddenly there seem to be a lot of things going on. We'll have a special announcement for SAIS fans too, so stay tuned.

Ripcord out.


October 13, 2005

September 29, 2005

August 16, 2005

MORE fun things to do while waiting for Weird Worlds!

1] Put cold mashed potatoes in someone else's shoes.
2] Download Shadowcat's cool new SAIS mod, Yellow Kawangi Hunter!

Ever want to go toe to toe against a Yellow Kawangi Nova Ship with the best weapons and systems in the game? Now's your chance, rocket-jock! In fact, if you think you're hot stuff, try three Kawangi Nova Ships -but don't go cryin' home to mama if they spank you. Ouch! Get Yellow Kawangi Hunter here & thanks to Shadowcat for a great SAIS mod!


June 30, 2005

Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space
to be Published by Shrapnel Games

Yes, it's true! Weird Worlds will be released by Shrapnel Games, makers of fine strategy games like Dominions II, Salvo!, Star Fury and the upcoming Land of Legends. Weird Worlds is slated for a September gold date with release to follow within a month. That means you can be thwarting evil Primordius and blasting pesky Deep Hunters to smithereens before you can say Zubenelgenubi! We're very excited about this partnership because we are looking forward to meeting & greeting even more gamers (of all ages) who enjoy space strategy and adventure games. The universe is indeed expanding and you can get all of the details, including a feature list and screen shots, here!


Where Happiness is a
Warm Particle Vortex Cannon


May 3, 2005

Click here to view the Digital Eel game catalog.

April 10, 2005

Click here to visit the Jollygood Games website.Here's some nifty news. Jollygood Games has just launched a brand new web page design and it's really swanky. You can download a heap of cool game demos there, including Turbo Sliders and all of Digital Eel's games, so be sure to check it out!


April 5, 2005

Strange Adventures in Infinite Space
Starship Insignia Wallpapers


Garthan

Muktian

Tan Ru

Terran

Urluquai

Zorg

Download all wallpapers in .bmp format: click here.
(1152x864 - 769kb)


April 1, 2005


Phosphorous Grows New Head!
Medical Experts "Stymied"

At a news conference today outside of mystic Toad Hall, Digital Eel artist, Phosphorous, shocked the nation by revealing his brand new head to television cameras and the press.

In a statement read by Phosphorous, he explained that the bizarre medical condition, known as Bob, began two weeks ago after he had returned from a trip to San Francisco. "I'm not sure what caused it," said Phosphorous, "but I think it was something I brought back with me."

Apparently, Bob began as an itchy bump on Phosphorous' shoulder. Within an hour, the bump had trebled in size, and a small face had formed with ears and a faint beard. "I never saw anything like it before," said Phosphorous. "At first I called it my little friend but when it actually opened its eyes and looked at me, I freaked out and called the doc!"

Dr. Norris Freester, chief skin specialist at the Canard Lake Medical Clinic, agreed to examine Phosphorous. Upon his arrival at the clinic, a battery of tests were performed to determine the cause of Bob's rapid growth (as well as monitor Phosphorous' precious bodily fluids). An hour later, Bob had grown to half normal size, and he began to make rude noises and insult the nurses, causing no end of concern to the assembled staff of medical experts.

By the following morning, and despite care workers' vigorous and continuous application of various antiseptic creams, salves and unguents, the head known as Bob had reached full size.

"Frankly, we're stymied," said Dr. Freester. "Having looked at the test results and having conferred with my colleagues --top men by the way, all of them-- the best we can say at this point is that Phosphorous' new head has stopped enlarging. As to the cause of this condition, we have our theories but until we can perform more painful tests we cannot be sure about what we are dealing with here."

Near the end of Phosphorous' press conference, a reporter asked if Bob had anything to say. "Bob only talks to me right now," Phosphorous interjected. "and he may bite you if you get too close."

At the end of the conference, as a kind of demonstration or finale, Phosphorous and Bob sang harmony, they drank two glasses of water at the same time and they performed an entertaining variation of the disappearing egg trick. During the performance, their hats kept falling off at amusing times (was it planned?), leaving reporters in stitches and viewers at home completely confused.


March 15, 2005

March 5, 2005

Calling all space captains! Hugo Levasseur's new Strange Adventures in Infinite Space mod, RED PLANET (Updated 3/12), has just been released! This is a nifty conversion, and if you collect SAIS mods, you'll definitely want to get it. Hugo has created a whole new story and all of the characters, ships and items to make it real. RED PLANET has an unusual objective too, and very different from SAIS. Can you complete Alex Flannigan's challenging mission to retrieve the shards of shattered Mars? Think you can? Then download RED PLANET right now and find out!


February 26, 2005

The Game Tunnel website is busy is revving up for the IGF competition with an ongoing front page feature, Countdown to the 2005 Independent Games Festival, that presents comprehensive coverage of the finalist games, including demos, reviews and interviews with the people who made them. If you're interested in indie games (and everyone should be!) have a gander.

While you're there, be sure to check out Russell Carroll's indie underground interview with the whole Digital Eel crew, called More Weirdness from the Mystery Kitchen. Among other things, Russell chatted with us about our IGF entry this year, Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space (release date: TBA soon), and I can only hope we answered some of his questions comprehensibly. Go see.


February 3, 2005

Digital Eel designer/coder/artist, Iikka Keranen, has been busy lately. Among other projects -Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space, for example- he created a brand new website called Iikka's Pile of Mystery Scans which features "a collection of various doodles I've drawn while on the bus." Intrigued? Click the link because he's got some fun stuff up there!


January 12, 2005


Hot news! Reflexive Arcade has joined the Digital Eel flotilla in our neverending mission to bring our games to you, you and yes, you too! First up, Reflexive has just launched Dr. Blob's Organism, our squishy and moist blob-blastin' shooter --with other Digital Eel games, like Strange Adventures in Infinite Space, soon to follow. Needless to say (but I will anyway), we're very excited to be working with the folks at Reflexive. They've got a great selection of fun games and we're proud that DBO is listed among them. (Thanks, guys!) To see what Reflexive is up to and review their extensive online game catalog, do that internet thing and click here now!


Click here for current news

All content and images copyright 2001-2005 R. Carlson, I. Keranen and Phosphorous
"The Universe Is Expanding" is copyright 2004 by Digital Eel and Cheapass Games