Hail to the Chimp

This game comes out of Chicago, home of Wideload Games, a studio started by Bungie founder and Halo head developer, Alex Seropian. Their first release, Stubbs the Zombie, showcased the humor and irreverence that they'll no doubt be bringing to Hail to the Chimp, a sort of a party game, if you will. In the Animal Kingdom, the Lion King has lost his power, and now all the other animals are jockeying for position. We don't have much more to tell you, so let your imaginations fly. The Hippopotamus Party lobbying for votes among the Wildebeests Union by slinging mud at the Crocodile Coalition? Yes.

Insecticide

You're a bug. You're a P.I. You're sitting in your dimly lit office, thinking about the gamblers and pornographers of the insect world that make you sick, but keep you in business. All of the sudden there's a knock at the door. It creaks open to reveal a tall, beautiful damselfly. She's got angelic wings, a thorax that won't quit, and she needs your help.

Well, it was described to us as a "film noir detective story in an insect world." What would you picture? Coming at you from some Pixar grads, and a few Lucasfilm types - veterans of the Monkey Island series. Intriguing.

Above: Fury brings some flair to PvP combat

Fury

Wait a minute now, this one's got a website and everything! Blending elements from first-person shooters and MMOs, this game focuses on Player vs. Player (PvP) combat. No more killing 3,000 rats to level up, my warrior friend, this game moves fast. You can advance your character while fighting alongside guildmates at a breakneck pace worthy of Unreal Tournament. Spicy. If you like, you can read more about it at the Fury's official site.

Mushroom Men

You are a three-inch-tall mushroom man just trying to make it in this crazy world. No, not a crazy alien fungus planet. Our world, miniature style. Navigate through a richly detailed, fully realized environment that might have you crawling around a derelict '57 Chevy one minute, chatting with your fellow fungi folk the next. Will not star Toad, Toadette, Toadsworth, or any other gaming mushrooms of note.

How's that for an interesting batch of game concepts, eh? Come back next week when these games are officially announced for more, and remember, you read it here first!

February 7, 2007