Kotaku: zack & wiki

Korea Goes Totally Overboard With Zack & Wiki Promo

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:30:00 MDT

When the Wii finally launches in Korea next week, one of the games available will be Zack & Wiki. How do you sell a game like Zack & Wiki to the Korean market? With mousepads. Oh, and the promise of riches. Everyone who preorders the game will get two bits of merch: a mousepad and a small treasure chest filled with treasure-shaped candy. Except not all the chests contain candy. One hundred of them will contain a pearl necklace. A real, pearl necklace. This would be the part where I'd say I wished we could have gotten pearl necklaces with our preorders, but...hrm. I won't.
[Ruliweb, via Wii Fanboy]

Zero Punctuation On Zack & Wiki

Mark Wilson — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:20:00 MDT

I bought Zack & Wiki on day one, triumphantly presenting my wife with the game that would both explain some of my history as a gamer (PC adventure junkie) and placate her need for an interactive experience without headshots or corpse humping—all while providing us a worthwhile, couple-building challenge. She got about ten minutes into it before deciding to hate the game forever. Yahtzee likes Zack & Wiki a bit more than she did.

Zero Punctuation: Zack & Wiki [The Escapist]

Zack & Wiki "Demo" Released

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:30:00 MST

We told you to go buy Zack & Wiki. Some of you listened. You have our thanks. Everyone else, though, you're a great disappointment. Not just to your fellow Wii owners, but to Capcom as well, who have had to go to the trouble of throwing together a free, Wii-friendly flash demo of the game, just so you can see what all the fuss is about.
[Zack & Wiki Flash Demo]

Umbrella Chronicles Outsells Zack & Wiki 3:1, Tears Stream Down Our Faces

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:40:00 MST

As part of their quarterly financial results, Capcom have announced sales figures for some of their more prominent titles from Q3 2007. Zack & Wiki included. Surprisingly, it managed to sell 300,000 copies; not much in the grand scheme of things, but for a puzzle game featuring new IP and no Western advertising? It did OK. Until, that is, you look at 10-hour snoozefest Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, and see it sold over 950,000 copies. That gasping, gurgling sound you hear behind you is the death of justice. Also revealed is the company's hopes and dreams for Devil May Cry: they're planning on shifting 1.9 million copies in the final quarter of the fiscal year, which multiplatform or not, is a big ask for a game pitched at a (relatively) niche, hardcore demographic.

USA Today Picks 2007's Best Games (For Kids)

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:20:32 MST

Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who may be on the lookout for something appropriate for the kids this holiday—strike Manhunt 2 from your lists, first of all—may want to refer themselves to USA Today's picks for the best kid fare of 2007. Sure, it may be easy to tick off things like Super Mario Galaxy and Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure, but what about the littlest tykes? And what about those who will go Wii-less this year?

USA Today points to a couple of titles that fell under our radar, including DVD games and PC titles such as Guess How Much I Love You and JumpStart World Kindergarten. Of course, the editor must be commended for her choice of Rock Band, which is just about perfect for the kids. Sure, there will be some snarls of anarchy from the pre-teen crowd this Xmas, but it's, like, educational and stuff.

Best 2007 video games for kids [USA Today]

"Easy To Move To The 360"

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:00:42 MST

Once upon a time, Devil May Cry 4 was a PS3 exclusive. Now, it's not. Capcom is putting it on the PS3, the Xbox 360, PCs and cereal boxes if it could. But was it hard to move what was once a PS3 exclusive over to the 360? Nope! It was simple. DMC4 Hiroyuki Kobayashi explains:

It [the engine] is not a 360 engine. It's not an engine for the 360. It's the internal engine that we use at Capcom for next generation machines called the MT Framework [note: MT stands for multi-target]. That actually runs on PC. As you know, we did originally plan to have this title just on PS3, but actually the development was done on a PC, not on a particular console. So because it's all done on the PC... it makes it very easy to move it put it on the 360 and use the power of that machine, or to put it on the PS3 and use the power of that machine, each in different ways. It's really pretty easy to do it, developing it from this PC base.

It so easy that we really doubt we'll see Capcom exclusives outside of Wii and DS games. Porting those ain't so easy!
Sympathy for the Devil [Level Up]

Capcom Playtesting Pays In Spades

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:20:00 MST

When we posted a brief note about an upcoming Capcom playtesting session in the Bay Area of California, reader Justme8800 heeded the call. In addition to getting hands-on time with an unnamed Capcom game—no, we couldn't squeeze it out of him—he walked away with all this stuff.

From left to right, top to bottom: Zack & Wiki stickers, yellow Capcom bag, massive RE4 Wii edition guide with poster, Capcom Classics Collection for Xbox, Umbrella Corporation REVIVE drink, plushie pig dressed in a watermelon from Monster Hunter, stress squeeze treasure chest from Zack & Wiki, Xbox Live 1600 points card, Monster Hunter Freedom 2 for PSP, Phoenix Wright plushie keychain, Zack & Wiki 3D holographic jigsaw puzzle, Lost Planet limited edition matte laser print, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition for PC, and a Mega Man buster pen in the lower right. All of this is sitting on a Street Fighter "EVOLVE" T-shirt.

Not bad for a day's "work", is it?

Zack & Wiki Ain't For Dummies

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:00:08 MST

Zack & Wiki is a great game. And no one is buying it. Well, not no one, but not many people are! The game is posting shockingly low sales numbers. Could that be because the game makes people think? Or is it just that people are interested in the title? The game is challenging, but in a satisfying way. Capcom producer Hironobu Takeshita explains:

There are puzzles where, if you don't look properly at the hints in the start, you're going to be in trouble. All the answers that you need to solve the puzzles are there on the screen. There are some people who say they don't understand the puzzles, but really, they're not paying enough attention.

Hope poor Zack & Wiki sales doesn't mean Capcom is giving up on games where you hafta use your noodle!
Interview [Game|Life, Thanks Rox!]

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:40:28 MDT

It's crunch time over at the Kotaku West Coast Tower and this associate editor has a full plate... of responsibility! The bathroom looks like a truck stop's, the dishes need doing, Adobe Illustrator files need... illustrating, and there's a stack of games still in the shrinkwrap that need attention from daddy. BioShock, Zack & Wiki, and Jeanne D'Arc make up my current backlog, with a fresh copy of SOCOM: Tactical Strike showing up at my doorstep last night. So why am I about to beat feet down to ye olde game shoppe and pick up Manhunt 2 and Guitar Hero III? Because I've got a spending problem!

Yep, the first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem. Unfortunately, I've been on step one for about three years now. It seems this is as far as I'm willing to go.

While I play the above, I have to wonder: what are you playing this weekend?

Is Capcom Now Picking on the PS3?

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 06:00:13 MDT

Capcom and Sony aren't exactly B.F.F. Former precieved exclusives like Devil May Cry 4 have gone multi-platform, while the next Monster Hunter game is sidestepping the PS3 for the Wii. Things are kinda prickly, it seems. Last week, Wii title Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure went on sale in Japan. (Did you get it?) A survey was included with the Japanese version that asked consumers what genre they like (RPG, Sports, Adventure, etc.) and what consoles they own. Let's take a closer look at that. Below is an English translation of the second to last bracket:

Please put a check next to the console you own
1. PlayStation (PS one)
2. PlayStation 2
3. GameCube
4. Dreamcast
5. Xbox
6. Xbox 360
7. Gameboy Advance (SP, Micro)
8. Nintendo DS (Lite)
9. PSP
10. Other

Notice anything missing? Capcom totally forgets the PS3 and the Wii. But if you bought a Wii game, chances are that you own, well, a Wii. So, Capcom forgets the Wii, but remembers the Dreamcast, the Xbox and The Gameboy Micro? We just hope it's a simple oversight that the PS3 is considered "Other" and that there's no secret Capcom conspiracy out to destroy the PLAYSTATION 3. You know, a brotherhood, men in cloaks, secret handshakes, the works.
Capcom Postcard Ignores PS3 [My Game News Flash]

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:40:00 MDT

Another (week)day, another dollar. Another weekend? More time in comfy pants, showering at two in the afternoon, brunches that weigh in at 1600 calories—all part of the Good Life. The icing on the lazy cake is hours upon hours of time spent "wasted" gaming. Me? I'll be group-gaming with some Zack & Wiki: The Quest For Barbaros' Treasure in between bouts of BioShock. I'm a little late to the party on the latter, as I've just recently become the proud owner of an Xbox 360, but the former was snatched up day one. And for $40! I had no idea it was so moderately priced.

I've also got a mummy costume to throw together, the walking undead to my better half's ancient Egyptian-themed slutty get up. Plus, pumpkin carving! Oh yeah!

In the comments, let us know not only what your gaming plans are, but what this weekend's Halloween party situation is like. Be safe!

Zack & Wiki Ad Doesn't Lie

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:47 MDT

You know when you see game ads, and all the people look really excited? Like even the people who are not playing are giddy? Usually it's totally b.s., but this ad is not lying. At TGS, we checked out upcoming Capcom puzzle title Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure and, yes, even those who were not playing totally got into the puzzle solving — it's that fun. Truth in advertising? You better believe it.

Treasure Trove Of Zack & Wiki Screens Unearthed

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:20:15 MDT

We don't post Zack & Wiki screenshots out of obligation or monetary compensation. No, it's done out of pure love. Maybe it's actually guidance from a higher power, as I saw someone describe the Wii adventure game as an "average puzzler" and I expected nothing short of a proper smiting from the Lord. Regardless of our religious fervor for all things Zack, Wiki and Barbaros, some of these new and newish shots illustrate the new "whiteboard" feature that allows three backseat gamers to draw things on the screen. Arrows, circles, the occasional "FU"—it all adds to the multiplayer experience. Enjoy. That's an order.

Devil May Cry 4, Zack & Wiki, Harvey Birdman Box Art Blowout

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:40:00 MDT

Capcom has put out a fresh batch of piping hot box art for us to judge, including highly anticipated games such as Devil May Cry 4, Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure and Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law. Obviously, you can see Nero sporting his fancypants glowstick hand above, but the rest of box art fun continues after the break.

Zack and Wiki Play

Brian Crecente — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:10:23 MDT

Now, we can finally see just what had McWhertor so hot and bothered at E3. I'm talking abut Zack and Wiki, not one of them, but both, in these two videos showing both the opening gameplay for the game and some "cut down" game play. OK, I get it, it was the lipstick... and that disturbing sawing motion play.

Zack & Wiki Accused Of Something, Acquiesces To Sensitive Types

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:40:45 MDT

Capcom's Zack & Wiki: Quest For Barbaros' Treasure may not feature the slaughter of hundreds of people of color by a big racist White Man, but it was on the receiving end of some Islamic ire recently. The company has removed from the game the phrase "Allahu Akbar"—meaning God is great!—at the urging of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and other interested parties. The phrase, heard in the above video just prior to a monkey tribe drinking delicious soup from skulls.

A spokesperson for CAIR wrote that it "appreciated Capcom's willingness to address Muslim concerns and applaud the company's swift and appropriate actions." Then everyone involved returned to applying soothing balms and salves to hypersensitive areas.

Islamic Phrase Removed from Capcom's Zack & Wiki [GameDaily BIZ]

Zack & Wiki Awesome Watch: Still Currently Awesome

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:20:47 MDT

The E3 demo of Capcom's Zack & Wiki: Quest For Barbaros' Treasure was a much more fleshed-out affair than what was shown at Capcom's Spring Gamers Day. It also happened to be a much more awesome affair, with an expanded set of playable locations showing off the puzzle adventure game's more diverse, non-jungle environments. I played through to completion one of the game's lava filled levels, tasked with putting out a series of fires to reclaim the room's haunted treasure, a piece of Barbaros' golden armor. How awesome was it? So awesome.

There are some frustrations that one may come across, but Capcom has largely remedied that by making the game fun, the load times short, and the attempts to retrying to finish much more palatable. It took me three attempts to make my way through the level, as the game suffers from/features trial and error attempts to unravel each level's series of puzzles. Presented with a water bottle and flowing water, I hurried back to the empty fountain vessel. That was wrong, I later discovered, as a hard hat apparently holds much more liquid.

Fortunately, Capcom's dev team has decided to reward players with getting it right the first time, giving them bonus points for a job done well and done the first time. You'll probably want to play through it a second time, just to perfect your score. The trial and dying frustration from early builds has been addressed as mulligan tickets will give you an opportunity to revive the your character.

There's a kind of playful atmosphere and cartoony logic that makes Zack & Wiki so—and I'm using this not insincerely, not in some gag-worthy way—charming. I longed for the opportunity to play it again, with a group of backseat gamers to help me through the tasks. It's really quite good.

Oops. I meant awesome.

Mario Party 8 Is Great Success!

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:40:03 MDT

Nice going, Wii owners. You've made Mario Party 8 the fastest selling game in the Mario Party series thanks to your purchases over the last month or so. Word from Nintendo today is that the Wii entry has sold over 550,000 copies since its debut on May 29. Nintendo's George Harrison supposedly said that ""Wii users are keeping the Mario Party going strong" which I can only assume means everyone is thrilled to death with the mini-game collection status quo and that Mario Party 9 is probably only weeks away. I hope you're happy. You jerks better buy Zack & Wiki: The Quest for Barbaros' Treasure or I'm stealing the batteries from your Wii-mote.

Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:40:24 MDT

Floating closer and closer to the top of my most wanted Wii games list is Capcom's unfortunately monikered Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure. The company released a handful of sort of new screens of the brutal puzzle solving adventure game, many of which look familiar, but are officially indeed new. They're mostly worth reviewing for the fact that, hey, at least Capcom is releasing something that ain't a mini-game collection. Nine technically new screens are in our gallery.

Capcom Announces Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 16 May 2007 16:20:55 MDT

What was once known as Project Treasure Island Z is now forever stuck with the name Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure. Capcom announced today that the Wii-exclusive puzzle adventure game from Hironobu Takeshita has dropped its working title and will ship sometime this fall with a brand new awful name.

While the new name sounds like some pre-teen heartthrob vehicle aired daily on the Disney Channel, it won't get in the way of this being an awesome game. It will however ensure that I order the game online, in an attempt to avoid having to awkwardly and vocally request a copy of Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure from my local retail zombie.

You can hit the jump for the press release, but we'd appreciate some alternate titles for this killer pirate adventure in the comments. Michael McWhertor

CAPCOM ANNOUNCES ZACK & WIKI: QUEST FOR BARBAROS' TREASURE, A PUZZLING NEW ADVENTURE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE WII

Pillaging Pirate Adventure Challenges Gamers to Play Different

SAN MATEO, Calif — March 16, 2007 — Capcom , a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced its first original title exclusively for the Wii video game system, Zack & Wiki : Quest for Barbaros' Treasure, an innovative, full-length puzzle adventure game that utilizes the unique control mechanics of the Wii Remote and challenges gamers to "play different." Capcom plans to release Project Treasure Island Z (Working Title) this fall.

"Innovation has been the cornerstone of Capcom's successful history ," said Jack Symon, director, brand marketing, Capcom Entertainment. "By introducing a whole new level of interactivity, this title reinforces our commitment to pushing the limits on how people view and play games."

Legend has it that a revered pirate named Barbaros once stole the world's treasure and hid it on a mysterious island. Though no one knows of its exact location, stories about the untold riches that lay in wait have been passed down through the ages, driving pirates from all walks of life to pursue the alluring prizes. One of these treasure seekers, a young apprentice pirate named Zack happens upon a mysterious talking skull, the skull of Barbaros himself. Barbaros promises to reveal the key to the island, if Zack will help to lift the curse he is under.

Players will explore a variety of wondrous environments and stages, solving puzzles and interacting with the world in search of vast riches and the ultimate pursuit of becoming the greatest pirate the world has ever seen. Inventive gameplay mechanics and controller movements allow players to move and open objects, transform items, unlock new pathways and navigate through perilous stages based on a variety of themes including a jungle, ice temple, volcanic caves and more, each with multiple sub-areas. Players will use the Wii Remote controller in various ways - rotate handles, turn keys to open doors, play a piccolo and much more in order to solve the progressively difficult puzzle stages and collect key items that will lead to the legendary pirate ship.

ABOUT CAPCOM
Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games, including best-selling franchises Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Devil May Cry. Capcom maintains operations in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Tokyo and Hong Kong, with corporate headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. More information about Capcom can be found on the company web site, www.capcom.com.

Capcom, Resident Evil, Mega Man and Devil May Cry are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd., in the U.S. or other countries. Street Fighter is a registered trademark of Capcom U.S.A., Inc. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. All rights reserved. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
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