Pirates Vs. Ninja Dodgeball Info Dump
Hail to the Chimp Info Dump
Stronghold Crusader Extreme Info Dump
Dungeon Hero Info Dump
Velvet Assassin Info Dump
Legendary Info Dump
Insecticide Info Dump
Section 8 Info Dump
Mushroom Men Info Dump

Mushroom Men Fact Sheet

Summary:
Mushroom Men inhabit the world that goes on while we humans are looking the other way, in the twilight hours when we sleep. We tower above them and go about our business completely unaware of the war waged at our feet.
After the comet had passed, the scientists concluded that the strange, green dust had no effect on the world. No one noticed that tiny plants and fungi were acting strangely. Mushrooms, cacti, flowers and vines had awakened to full consciousness. Tribes quickly formed, building plant and fungi nations and with nation building... came war!
Mushroom Men shows gamers the mundane world from the surreal perspective of a three inch high Mushroom Man. As a brave Bolete Mushroom, players can wreak havoc on their enemies by transforming common household trinkets and trash into weapons and tools.
Mushroom Men - Rise of the Fungi is for Nintendo DS and details events leading up to Mushroom Men - The Spore Wars on Wii. Players do not need to play one to enjoy the other.

Features:
- As a character the size of a mushroom, players will explore and battle their way through lush and spooky levels in a hostile and oversized world
- Choose from three different characters on DS or play the heroic misfit on Wii
- Fight hideous spiders, deadly praying mantises, lightning-fast scorpions, enemy Mushroom Men and more
- Wipe out your enemies with unique, spore-based powers

Product Specs:
- Genre: Action Platformer
- Created by: Red Fly Studio
- Publisher: Gamecock Media Group (www.gamecockmedia.com)
- Platforms: Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi - Nintendo DS; Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars - Nintendo Wii
- Release Date: DS: Summer 2008; Wii: Fall 2008

Section 8 Fact Sheet

Summary:
On the war-torn planets of tomorrow, mankind's greatest battle is about to begin, With its frontier colonies devastated by a growing insurrection, Earth dispatches the elite 8th Armored Infantry (nicknames "Section 8") to repel the coming onslaught.
The nickname refers to a discharge from an old United States military regulation for reason of being mentally unfit for service. The near-suicidal missions this division volunteers for brands them as insane by all other military units.
Section 8 deploys directly into battle from their orbital dropships, utilizing the most advanced arsenal of military hardware known to man. THeir mission: to scout and secure difficult objectives, and smash the enemy defenses in lightning-quick assaults.
Section is an intense first-person shooter that allows players to dynamically alter the flow of combat as they see fit. Employing tactical assets and on-demand vehicle deliveries, players are given unprecedented strategic control over epic sci-fi battlefields.
So get ready to drop, Trooper! The war begins on specific next-gen consoles and the PC in 2009.

Features:
- Customize your loadouts like no other FPS
- Use Burn-In spawning to drop into the action from 15,000 feet
- Transform the battlefield with tactical assets and vehicle drops
- Battle across epic sci-fi landscapes
- Adapt to ever-evolving team, squad, and player strategies

Product Specs:
- Genre: First Person Shooter
- Created by: TimeGate Studios (www.timegate.com)
- Publisher: Gamecock Media Group (www.gamecockmedia.com)
- Platforms: Xbox 360, Windows Compatible PC
- Release Date: Q3 2009

Insecticide Fact Sheet

Summary:
Insecticide is a fast-paced, hard-boiled detective game set in a festering future city where bugs have evolved to become Earth's dominant race, A murder at the powerful Nectarola soft drink company leads police from the Insecticide squad on a bug hunt through the city's seedy underbelly and into a mystery of epic proportions. Join detective Chrys Liszt and her partner Roachy Caruthers on the case as they become entangled in a web of crime. It's an action adventure in the truest sense, immersing players in cinematic combat levels as well as story-based detective work.
Use Chrys' unique insect abilities, a range of bug weaponry and good old-fashioned street smarts to solve the case and uncover a shocking secret. Bring the boot of justice down hard on the city's crime infestation.

Features:
- Discover clues to solve a gripping mystery in a world of mutant insects and film noir locations
- Use specialized weaponry and unique insect powers to shadow your suspects or confront them head on
- Collect and convert radioactive pollen from the environment to assemble a variety of unique organic weapons
- Interrogate suspects, interview witnesses, and play good cop/bad cop to get all the info you need
- A huge case of unique characters

Product Specs:
- Genres: Action Adventure
- Created by: Crackpot Entertainment
- Publisher: Gamecock Media Group (www.gamecockmedia.com)
- Platform: Nintendo DS, Windows compatible PC (PC SKU is retail and direct download)
- Release Date: Nintendo DS - March 11, 2008
- PC Episode One - March 2008
- PC Episode Two - Q2 2008

For those of you who have grown weary of the typical WWII or sci-fi shooter, EIEIO's Legendary may be the answer to your prayers. After unwittingly opening Pandora's box, the thief Deckard is the only one who can seal it again, and he faces many nasty, gnarly creatures along the way. Feast your eyes on this collection of gameplay, screenshots, and concept art - much like the werewolves and slew of other monsters will soon be feasting on your head.

Legendary Fact Sheet

Summary:
Sealed away inside Pandora's Box are the greatest creatures of myth and lore, locked away by ancient forces to preserve humanity. There they have spent eons waiting to be freed in order to rule the world once more.
When a thief named Deckard is hired to steal an ancient artifact, he unwittingly triggers a war between man and myth. Now is the only one capable of preventing the destruction of civilization.
Giant griffons rule the skies and werewolves tear at the flesh of the innocent as cities are held under siege by creatures we'd dismissed as the imaginings of our ancestors. As the only person able to seal Pandora's Box and return the beasts to their prison, Deckard must work with a shadowy secret paramilitary society to save our civilization before it's torn apart by tooth and claw.

Features:
- Not another World War II or generic Sci-Fi shooter!
- Modern military firepower meets the tooth and claw of legend
- A massive, block-buster experience; spectacular battles, run and gun fire-fights
- Dynamic environments crumble, skyscrapers fall; the collapse of modern society in the face of the beasts of myth is realized in breath-taking detail
- See London burn to the ground and witness New York torn apart in spectacular supernatural destruction
- Incredible and unnerving AI: watch in fascination as werewolves scale vertical walls to find a path to the player and use objects in the environment to their advantage
- Encounter three-way firefights; take on the beasts of the box and those who would seek to control them for their own, evil ends
- Take on enemies from the size of a child all the way through to spectacular titan creatures tens of stories tall

Product Specs:
- Genre: First Person Shooter
- Created by: Sparks Unlimited
- Publisher: Gamecock Media Group (www.gamecockmedia.com)
- Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows Compatible PC
- Release Date: Third Quarter 2008

The game includes a dozen levels and a variety of weapons and stealth gadgets.

The XBL Arcade title is set to hit later this month and will include a single player story mode, exhibition mode for single a multiplayer and up to eight player online play.

What if you could go back, start from scratch, and remake E3 in your own image? With EIEIO in Austin, Texas, that's what developer-centric games publisher Gamecock Media is trying to do: Developer demos for the press, live bands and demos for the public, and drinks for all. The event was loosely associated with South by Southwest this year, and both festivals hope to have stronger ties with each other next year.

It started on a Wednesday evening, at the Alamo Drafthouse—a movie theater that serves dinner and a selection of fine beers. 140 developers, partners, press, and Gamecock staff watched a screening of documentary film The King of Kong—which met with great enthusiasm from the audience.

Gamecock's chief executive, Mike Wilson, took the stage beforehand to give a one-and-a-half minute speech, in which he thanked everyone for being there. "It's really awesome to have everyone in Texas for once," he said in reference to the developers who had traveled from Germany, England, California, Chicago, Houston, and other points on the compass. "God knows we've come to all of your homes enough."

"I need all of you in top form for tomorrow," Wilson continued. "There are bulls to be ridden, there are Rollergirls to be boxed, and somewhere in there, we're going to fit in some videogames."

When tomorrow did come, the weather had changed: rain threatened, and the temperature became considerably colder. On the edge of downtown, several dozen members of the game press eat a warm breakfast at Jamie's Spanish Village, a place that Gamecock president Harry Miller remembers frequenting when he was attending college in Austin.

Once everyone was lined up, a media handler explained that, because of the number of European outlets participating, the actual games coverage is embargoed until next Wednesday.

In a rare and interesting look into the Gamecock PR machine, the handler instructed the press: "Just talk to the developers, let those guys tell you what they're up to, and they'll really give you the flavor of their games and what they're doing...it's really all about them today."

With that, the group crossed the street, entering Stubbs, a barbecue restaurant and live music venue, to start the demo circuit. A room in the dark limestone basement was being used by FireFly studios, the British developers known for the Stronghold franchise.

In a room flickering with candles, and a massive glowing red demo PC on a billiards table, designer Simon Bradbury talked through some of the gameplay features in their upcoming Dungeon Hero game, commenting that you weren't so much a hero, "as a psychopath."

The studio is also completing Stronghold Crusader Extreme. This is something Bradbury points to proudly as a company: knowledge of the European market. For example, Firefly's Stronghold outsold Grand Theft Auto when both were released in Germany.

Past the coincidental dungeon, there's a small stage which has Mushroom Men from Red Fly Studios. They've developed it so the DS version gives players back-story on the Wii version, which has been getting attention for it's "first-party attention to detail."

Out on the porch, Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball and Insecticide are being shown. The charming Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball will be on of the most played games that day. And Insecticide's pedigree of former LucasArts vets, plus the episodic PC content, just could make it the next Sam and Max.

Upstairs is Hail to the Chimp from Wideload games. It's a cross between Super Smash Brothers, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. And when the Rollergirls arrive later in the day, the game is an instant hit as they watch, cheer, and applaud when each round ends; they share similar gameplay and tactics.

When asked if Gamecock would publish a Rollergirls game for the Wii that uses the Wii Balance Board and the nunchuck controls, Wilson replied, "Anything that involves Rollergirls is A-OK." Wilson adds that he isn't on the green-lighting committee, but adds, "Personally, I'm all for it: as a gamer and a Rollergirl fan."

Across the gravel lot in a side shed is Section 8, from developer TimeGate. The futuristic shooter has another year-and-a-half of scheduled development, so some details are understandably sparse. One publishing executive told Kotaku that there are also some features being safe-guarded because of their simplistic brilliance. This is to say, other games still in development could copy the clever features from Studio 8, were they made public.

Robert Siwiak, a producer at TimeGate, says that one of the things they've enjoyed working with Gamecock is, "they embrace originality." He talks about how the studio worked on expansions for F.E.A.R., and some things they wanted to do weren't possible, because they contradicted the publisher's style guide. But doing something original means there aren't the same restrictions when it comes to cannon. "They've afforded us the ability to go to whatever extremes we want," Siwiak says of Gamecock, who they knew from the beginning would be "the perfect publisher to work with on a title like Section 8."

Further along is Legendry from developer Spark Unlimited. It's a shooter that can aptly be described as Halo meets Gears of War, with mythological creatures. And hidden in the last building of Stubbs compound is Velvet Assassin, from developer Replay. The stealth-action game recently changed it's name from Sabotage, and now more prominently features a more interesting true-life female protagonist.

Before the doors open to the public, Wilson explains the lineup of bands, which include: Carolyn Wonderland, Johnny Hootrock, Del Castillo, and The Yard Dogs Roadshow. "It's a lot my favorite bands," he says. "It's really my show, for my own entertainment. [But] I hope a lot of crazy musicheads come out."

In the scheme of game industry events, he explains: "I think this is a micro-show, if you will, but I think all the new shows need a public element to it," Wilson predicts. "We've got four games we're going to let people play tonight. I think it's a really good element, to [include] Joe Gamer."

Alex Seropian, the founder of Bungie, and now Wideload, recalls an E3 many years ago, when Halo was first being shown. "Back then, E3 was a known quantity." With EIEIO, he says, there are hopes of something worthwhile building. So what does he think of a combining the showcase for game journalists, and the orgy for music fans? He grins. "Two great tastes that taste great together."

At 4:00 PM the beer is being unloaded by the case. At 5:30 PM, the Coronas are still being unloaded. Which sets the stage. The gates will open to the public at 6:00 PM. Besides game demos, and drinks, and bands, and performers, there will be a mechanical cock to ride (a mechanical bull, refitted with a rooster head), and over-sized boxing gloves for sparing with Rollergirls.

The evening beings with a burlesque performance: two girls representing chickens, one representing a pig, and a man dressed as a farmer, run round in circles on a bed of hay to the musical sounds of the he-haw version of Closer by Nine Inch Nail.

So the evening has started. It will go until ten, or midnight, or two. Wilson jokes that Velvet Assassin features a Burlesque level, and that it's market research, which could lead to Burlesque: The Game. Another title is suggested: Burlesque Hero. Wilson considers. "Burlesque Tycoon. That usually works—tycoon."

But the friendship between game developers and burlesque performers isn't one-way. One of the evening's performers with the stage name of Miss Maulie, told Kotaku that her best friend is a game developer, and that he's currently working for Blizzard in California.

In the end, there are many ways to measure success. "We've got people who can take or leave the whole Gamecock silliness," says Wilson. "Apparently, a lot of people want to be serious about this business, and it doesn't always go that well with my take [on it]."

So what's his hope for the outcome of this first EIEIO in Austin, Texas? "Regardless of how you feel about [silliness], that everyone here will be going: they've actually got some pretty fucking good games." Wilson says that it takes two years to make these games, something that people may forget, and something that makes a start-up publisher look sparse through the first cycle.

As the journalists begin to leave, they're given demo units for DS games, CDs with trailers and screenshots and other assets. They also get a Gamecock sock. Inside is a Gamecock shot glass, bottle opener, guitar pick, and magic lantern that projects the Gamecock logo.

What's the most common question asked? "What do you do with just one sock?"

This year's event, still labeled a showcase for independent developers, will take place on March 6 at Stubb's Bar-B-Q and will feature a day of gaming and a night of "Texas hospitality."

"South by Southwest is known as a mecca for indie film makers and musicians and there are a ton of game makers in Austin, so it seems like a natural fit," said founder Mike Wilson.

Gamecock decided to move their Expo For Interactive Entertainment, Independent and Original from Los Angeles' E3 to Austin because Wilson said they feel like SXSW is a better fit for their event.

Wilson said there will be eight games on hand, including titles from Wideload, Red Fly Studio, Spark Unlimited, Replay Studios, Firefly Studios and TimeGate, as well as a few surprises.

"While we have enjoyed providing an entertaining respite for the industry during the painful California-based trade shows of years past, it has always been our dream to show people how we really do it down in Texas," he said. "We want this E.I.E.I.O. to be part video game expo, part backyard carnival, part indie revival. And, as E.I.E.I.O. leads right into SXSW — the annual mecca for independent artists from all walks of life — we are heading-up the charge to get the best and most original games here."

So far, the publisher, a rebirth of 90s' publisher Gathering of Developers, has brought two games to market, Auran's poorly received Fury and Nintendo DS thriller Dementium, which arrived to above average but mixed reviews.

"IGN gave (Dementium: The Ward) shooter of the year for the DS, we were happy with it, it didn't review as well as it could of because of one flaw," Wilson said. "We want to work with (developer Renegade Kid) again), that game we're very proud of."

The company will hit its stride this year, Wilson said, with the release of a slew of games including Mushroom Men, Hail to the Chimp and Xbox Live game Pirates Versus Ninjas Dodgeball. Wilson said that the publisher may also be looking to the Playstation Network and WiiWare as potential future platforms.

"This is kind of a make it or break it year for us," he said.

The Gamecock folks have finally unveiled the secret location for their non-E3, E3 party EIEIO.

Billed as a celebration of gaming for everyone, it looks like it's shaping up to be a celebration of Gamecock games. Which is fine, just not quite as all inclusive as they first lead us to believe.

The event, held at the rather washed-out Hotel California in Santa Monica, will feature six of Gamecock's games and two "major unannounced next-gen titles."

Developers for Fury, Insecticide, Dementium, Hail to the Chimp, Mushroom Men and Dungeon Hero will be on hand to demo their games and answer questions.

I'm holding out for Mini Kiss too, but I suspect I'll be disappointed. Brian Crecente

Cockpit, Austin, Texas - June 14, 2007 - Gamecock Media Group continues its mission to champion original titles today with the announcement of the final details of its much anticipated E.I.E.I.O event. The "Expo for Interactive Entertainment, Independent and Original" is being held at Santa Monica's Hotel California (1670 Ocean Ave), right smack in the middle of all the E3 hotels.

E.I.E.I.O. Details

Location: Hotel California

Address: 1670 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA

Times: 7/11 12pm-6pm; 7/12 10am-6pm; 7/13 12pm-4pm

Playable games, accessible developers, Gamecock suckers, and food and drink will all be part of the festival.

"EIEIO is going to be a celebration of the amazing lineup of independent developers that Gamecock has been lucky enough to sign on, and I'm thrilled to say that every one of them will be in attendance to give personal demos of their works in progress," said Mike Wilson, Grand Champeen and CEO of Gamecock. "And, of course, there will be a truckload of that very special Texas hospitality that our friends have come to expect. While this year's E3 'business summit' might seem a bit strange and uptight, those who still harbor a true love for original games and the talented folks that create them should know that there's plenty of room at the Hotel California. Such a lovely place..."

Gamecock's artist-driven line-up crosses every platform and hits multiple genres. The showcase includes several previously announced games along with several new ones. Developers will be on hand to demo their creations and answer any questions. Among the featured titles are:

• Fury (PC) - The ultimate competitive PVPMMO combines fast-paced gameplay with traditional online RPG elements, developed by Auran. Ship date: Fall 2007. www.unleashthefury.com

• Insecticide (PC & Nintendo DS™) - Insects rule a gritty crime world in this high action adventure title from Crackpot Entertainment. Ship date: Fall 2007. www.insecticidethegame.com

• Dementium: The Ward (Nintendo DS) - A creepy survival horror FPS unlike anything seen on the Nintendo DS, developed by Renegade Kid. Ship date: Fall 2007

• Hail to the Chimp (Next-Gen Platforms) - Mayhem erupts as the animal kingdom vies for a new king in this politically fueled party game. Developed by Wideload Games. Ship date: Spring 2008. www.chimplove.com

• Mushroom Men (Nintendo DS & Wii™) - Civil war breaks out in a visually stunning fungi world in this action title from Red Fly Studio. Ship date: Fall 2008. www.mushroommen.com

• Dungeon Hero (PC & Xbox 360) - A sword-swinging, close-quarters combat, action-packed portrayal of life in the dungeon from Firefly Studios. Ship date: 2009. www.heroherohero.com

• Two Major Unannounced Next-Gen Titles - Some things you have to see to believe!

"We've hit the ground running with wildly creative games on all next-gen platforms and PCs," said Harry Miller, President and Head of Development for Gamecock Media Group. "E.I.E.I.O. will be a great opportunity for the world to get their eyes on these products and see, first-hand, what these talented developers have in store."

Yesterday we broke the news that Gamecock would be throwing a little party of their own in Santa Monica and that it just happens to coincide with the new, smaller E3Expo.

I had a chance to talk last night with the grand Gamecock himself, Mike Wilson, about the company's plans, which it turns out are changing.

"A couple of months ago we secured our E3 plan just for Gamecock which was of course is outside the show," he said. "With this week, with this announcement of excluding 370 of the attendees it made us think we might invite our non-invited friends."

While Wilson hopes to expand the Gamecock-centric EIEIO show to those less fortunate than the big companies with entry to the show, he said he's not sure yet he'll be able to get the space he needs to include other companies this year around.

His company has already secured a spot for their event, which he is now trying to expand.. Wilson wouldn't tell me exactly where but said it was walking distance from the Barker Hanger where E3 will be held and that it's an indoor/outdoor facility that you "can't miss" on your way to the E3 site.

In its current form the Gamecock show will feature plenty of barbecue, plenty of "camera fodder" and even some games.

Fury will be playble, with a rolling LAN party running during the event and Insecticide will also be playable. Wilson added that Red Fly Studios' Mushroom Men and Wideload Games' Hail to the Chimp will both have playable segments as well.

The event will be open to all working press, he said, not just those invited to cover E3Expo. Brian Crecente

As the list of E3 attendees shrinks (both press and developers), one question keeps coming up: What are those not invited supposed to do?

Gamecock thinks they have an answer. They're talking about throwing a little party that they'd like to call the Expo for Interactive Entertainment: Independent and Original or... EIEIO. Yes, that's right, the guys who liked to throw monster bashes in a parking lot opposite E3 wants to do it again with the newer smaller E3.

The event will be held the same days as E3 in Santa Monica and my money is that it will be in a parking lot or something like one. I'll be talking to the Gamecock guys shortly so check back in a bit for more details. Brian Crecente