• Posted by Jeff Litchford

Hi, I’m the guy responsible for dreaming up the madness that is PAIN. I guess that makes me the lead designer and I work for Idol Minds near Boulder, Colorado. Hot damn! What a blast this game has been to make… absolutely, positively the most fun I’ve ever had with a game. There is nowhere else I could shout “Where’s my MANHOLE?!?!?” and not get immediately marched down to HR for a beating. Luckily they haven’t seen the screenshots I’ve managed to put together… <GRIN>

If you love this game as much as I do … you had better hang on, we’ve got quite a ride planned. We’re deep in development on the Amusement Park, busily dreaming up new modes and animating away on new characters. At the same time we’re getting ready to start up yet another theme and I’m thrilled to see all the great ideas you’ve thrown at us… we’ll definitely use them in our brainstorming sessions.

As a giant thank you to everyone who’s bought PAIN, we’ve put together a new FREE single player mode based on Fun with Explosives. We enjoyed the multiplayer version so much we had to make it into a fun and challenging mode so we could compete with you on the leaderboards. It’s going to take a little while to get it fully tested by Sony, but I’ll make sure to tell you when it’s coming. Oh, and did I mention that it’s FREE…! More details when we are close to release.

Yes, we’re investigating online play. Yes, we want it just as badly as you do. Yes, it’s going to be a bit of a challenge because of all the physics data we have to sync up. Yes, we’ll keep you up to date!

Last bit of news – we’re currently putting together the European and Asian builds and are getting ready to test them. We plan to have a big release when they’re all done with the new mode, new characters, new changes to scoring, etc. I don’t have a release date to give you, but it will be sometime in early '08. Stay patient with us – we really do care that you’re not sharing our PAIN! Oh, and don't forget to hit the PLAYSTATION(R)Store for the Santa and Cookie Themes!

Time for that age old question… and your answers do matter… who would win, a Ninja or a Pirate? Don't be shy.

• Posted on 12.20.07 // 01:45 PM

Comments (108)

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Ninja wins. Fun with explosives is the second best multiplayer game behind HORSE in my opinion, so that should be interesting. Hopefully we can get a few free characters. Free is always good.

Also hopefully the new levels to play around in aren't going to ridiculously priced. I don't mind paying for stuff as long as it's reasonably priced. Hopefully the Amusement Park and more levels will come soon. New modes is a step in the right direction to make it feel more complete.

Posted on 12.15.07 14:57 PM by Neon Reaver

ninja! thanks for the update. also, i didnt know bombing the mascot was so fun! bye.

Posted on 12.15.07 15:02 PM by EvanL

The pirate will most likely blow off the ninjas head with a pistol.
EU release early '08? Too bad, I was really hoping to start enjoying PAIN during christmas holidays. You guys better release it EARLY early next year. Still can't wait to have a go.

Posted on 12.15.07 15:10 PM by Timghil

dude, i don't see any xmb themes in the store! what does xmb stand for? oh yeah, one more thing, PIRATES ARE WIMPS!

Posted on 12.15.07 15:13 PM by EvanL

ninja!

Posted on 12.15.07 15:30 PM by Tripp

ninja, puh-lease

Posted on 12.15.07 15:37 PM by Leetfoo

NINJA easily XD

Posted on 12.15.07 15:52 PM by TyyobrO

Ninjas for the win!!!!

also, nice to know that your working on the europeon version as Travis said to me in the previous post, cant wait!! All this new stuff your bringing out for the game sounds great! The amusment park sounds like a great level! Will all this come with the european game instead of downloading the separtly? or if you have any hopes to do this?

thanks

Posted on 12.15.07 15:55 PM by Ben

I think the ninja would probably win one on one, but just because of the sheer amount of pirates, they would eventually overwhelm the ninjas and then strap them, one by one, to this gigantic catapult...

If we're discussing characters to throw out of the catapult, I would prefer being a ninja. I mean, a ninja is in the multiplayer picture getting her butt handed to her by Santa, but where's the character?

Posted on 12.15.07 15:59 PM by Dustin

is the pirate tough like Black Beard or more like Johnny Depp? I wouldn't mind catapulting a Jack Sparrow at a wall...

I'm actually quite interested in seeing BOTH the ninja and pirate characters in PAIN, but the ninja would win in a fight.

Posted on 12.15.07 16:07 PM by Bobechi

ninja!!

(although I would love the pirate to scream arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggghhhhh!!!! when he goes flying...)

Posted on 12.15.07 16:10 PM by SomeDude

i have to go with PIRATE - while the ninja sounds coll at first, the pirate would be more fun simply because of the dialogue and sounds. ninjas are silent! the big reason i love the santa is for he hysterial lines.

"RUDOLF, I can smell you from heeeere!!"

Posted on 12.15.07 17:40 PM by procrastin8R

what's going on with the store?
There's no theme nor any other stuff, isn't it suposed to be the update on thursday?

Posted on 12.15.07 18:00 PM by Pee_Wee

Check it now. It's in the PAIN directory not the normal theme directory. Don't ask me why. I don't know.

Posted on 12.15.07 18:21 PM by travis williams

ninja would win

Posted on 12.15.07 18:33 PM by wigga3

ok thank you Travis

Posted on 12.15.07 18:41 PM by Pee_Wee

Get the PAIN theme into Rock Band or Guitar Hero. It'd be so awesome...

Anyways. Can't wait for the Amusement Park and whatnot. Love this game.

Posted on 12.16.07 03:33 AM by BobsRevenge

Ninja or Pirate?

Neither.

Ninja-pirate wins. :p

Posted on 12.16.07 03:52 AM by IQdroppin

ninjas, DUH

Posted on 12.16.07 04:13 AM by PainJunkie2

PIRATE! He'd get the ninja tipsy on rum and make 'em walk the plank. RRRrrrr!

Posted on 12.16.07 04:17 AM by MorticianLover

Pirates are better. Not only do they have ships, cannons, and rum, but pirates have to know how to use limes to prevent scurvy. I'm not saying ninjas aren't cool, I'm just saying that pirates are cooler. And that ninjas are kind of wimps for not having to deal with the threat of scurvy all the time.

Posted on 12.16.07 04:22 AM by Christopher

ninja

Posted on 12.16.07 04:40 AM by EvanL

ninjas, obviously.

Posted on 12.16.07 04:57 AM by broda812

I'm gonna go against the grain here...PIRATE! Yarrrr!!! You guys are doing great work with PAIN, & the Cookie theme is the best yet.

Posted on 12.16.07 05:35 AM by RunninBlock

ninja,....so online multiplayer in the works hooray....coz i feel a bit lonely i live alone

Posted on 12.16.07 06:31 AM by lim_ryan

Who cares about the pirates vs ninjas? What the heck does that have to do with anything?

Posted on 12.16.07 07:16 AM by adam_thewarrior

its the next character their gonna make dude...

Pirate!!

Posted on 12.16.07 08:06 AM by SomeDude

PLZ Travis,by the love of PAIN, could u drop the price of pain this Christmas from 10$ to 5$ because I have a playstation network card that contains only 5$!!!

Posted on 12.16.07 10:03 AM by markito

And P.S: ninja would win any day, anytime and anywhere!!!

Posted on 12.16.07 10:04 AM by markito

Pirate never even saw the ninja coming!... ninjas can't swim, they just walk on water!

You guys are doin a great job and I think you'll get that online play thing workin sooner than you think, (just need to send x,y,z axis, rotation, and momentum for like 50-60 things at once couple times a second, that's not so bad! lol) Good luck.

Here's a suggestion for optimizing online play: considering that every mode accept bowling has you take turns, you can easily have it buffer for 3-4 seconds on the player's side that isn't going. We could then watch 20-30kps streams withot a problem and if we don't have enouh bandwidth for that then it would buffer like youtube. For bowling just take out a lot of the objects and it'll be ike 2-5kps transfers.

Let us know what that new theme is! I'm excited about all this content!

Posted on 12.16.07 12:05 PM by Masuyo

Ninja!!! By the way I'm currently number 1 on Mime Toss...

Posted on 12.16.07 12:07 PM by Ninjaselo

I'm gonna have to go with pirates on this one. Pirates are just plain funnier. Have you ever seen a funny ninja?

Posted on 12.16.07 16:35 PM by Galley

ninja b/c stereotypes suggest pirates have a peg leg but i'd love to beat the hell out of both

Posted on 12.16.07 16:36 PM by windsmere

A Ninja is cool especially if was Chris Farley-ish like in "Beverly Hills Ninja" or maybe a "Shinobi" type ninja. But a Pirate would win hands down, I have one word for you Gun!!! Keep up the great work.

:::Suggestion, Save Replay feature would be Fantastic.

Posted on 12.16.07 16:59 PM by Project_a13

Pirate. The voice acting would make the character. "Shiver me timbers!"

Posted on 12.16.07 17:51 PM by Thomas

I'm going to have to go with the Pirate mainly because there are more funny things you can have the pirate say.

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/howto.html

that place above has a ton of funny pirate sayings.

Posted on 12.16.07 20:03 PM by PhoenixCE

The poses for the Ninja would be hilarious though.

Posted on 12.16.07 20:15 PM by Thomas

Both the Ninja and the Pirate have their merits. Of the two of them I'd have to go with Ninja. But why to cowboys never get any love? Isn't it supposed to be Ninja/Pirate/Cowboy? Not that I'd particularly vote for Cowboys anyway.

My personal vote would be for the Space-Pirate Amazon Ninja Catgirl.

Posted on 12.16.07 20:27 PM by PaladinRevenant

With the age old battle of ninja vs pirate, there is always one question that remains. Where would the fight be? If it's in the middle of the ocean between boats then hell yes the pirate would win. If the fight was in a small rural town in Asia then the ninja would slice and dice all day. If it was in an empty warehouse I would say that the ninja wins because of pure strength and quickness.

Posted on 12.16.07 22:23 PM by aIadiesman

Dangerous question !
Almost like the pirate / gypsy argument
I'm all for ninjas!

were you @ wicked winter faire 07 to get this dangerous debate?

Posted on 12.17.07 01:32 AM by Jebus13

Ninja, although the Pirate would be a worthy advesary, I just think the Ninja would be able to disappear before the Pirate could use his close combat sword skills and then reappear in time for a precise attack...

Also, free is good, more characters would be nice and maybe new ways to shoot our characters, and maybe a magnetic suit, it could be interesting :o)
-Goatman

Posted on 12.17.07 02:42 AM by goatindaruffnes

I had an idea earlier for new level in PAIN that hopefully would be taken into consideration. What if you get to be really tiny, and launch yourself around a kitchen or bathroom? It would be very unrealistic, but so what? It would be really fun. Hope its taken into some considaration : )

Posted on 12.18.07 02:16 AM by Kicksy

I'd just like to mention that, while I understand the need to keep PAIN symbols like Sackey-Hack for Cookie (and any other future female characters) for scoring purposes, I think that it doesn't make much sense.

Posted on 12.18.07 08:23 AM by broda812

hey what happened 2 the update u said we'd like? ninja's or pirates?is that it?¿ what gives man.? where is the custom soundtracks the replay saver/picture taker/sharer?i am getting tired of this song 2. tighten up guys.it is good u r listening 2 us but everbody has ears and eyes and can promise without delivering. what is this checking 4 update crap ever time i start pain it is unnecessary.assassin creed ain't online but it doesn't need 2 an update check each time i play it and i still got the update. my patience is wearing thin and it is up 4 EA and soon EPIC if they don't get it together and fast. it's been a month nearly and no update .only 2 the board?i don't play a game called message board neither should u! pirate ninja who fncking cares make em both!!u got time 2 write a message then u got TIME period! i am getting tired reading just 2 find out about a choice between a ninja and a pirates! and another multiplayer game thats good and all but what about the people who dont have a roommate?merry christmas

Posted on 12.18.07 14:54 PM by Thomas

but it is a great game very original and fun and if their wasn't a board 2 talk 2 then we wouldn't demand so much! i got the game when it got released and can only do so much by myself thanks 4 responding 2 the online play and i am willing 2 bet that the 1st update will have custom soundtracks HVB does shoot now F&H does! and i believe that this game will b great and depthfull in the end but till then i can only check the board and leaderboards. but awesome game awesome!! needs a circus if u ask me (the trapeze elephants tigers bears riding bikes and CLOWNS my oh my!cannonball launchers mimes would fit right in maybe even that cirque de olay crap 2 and monkeys ha ha thank u 4 being able 2 listen. thank u 4 a great game and keep your focus psnet id Qraze #1_in_the_hood_G!!

Posted on 12.18.07 15:12 PM by Thomas

i also would like a redneck 2 toss around he could say stuff like "gator done" and "my wife took my dog and the truck" i think it would b hilarious anyway thank u 4 listening holla Qraze #1_in_the_hood_G!!

Posted on 12.18.07 15:20 PM by Thomas

Ninja. If you could try to do something special with him. Like using his sword to cut things, instead of normal posing.

Posted on 12.19.07 05:59 AM by Tommy*

broda812: Women may not have balls, but they can get hurt in that area too.

Posted on 12.19.07 07:54 AM by adam_thewarrior

Instead of debating over which is better; give us a pirate and a ninja.

Posted on 12.19.07 07:55 AM by adam_thewarrior

It's all about the ninjas

Posted on 12.19.07 11:37 AM by Clinton514

I know that they can still be hurt even without balls, but if the expressions were changed from the male exclusive PAINs such as Stomped Grapes and Family Jewels, to something different, maybe something more female, it's just a suggestion, but it would make the game more enjoyable to me, and I'm sure there are others who agree.

Posted on 12.19.07 14:50 PM by broda812

I wish everyone would quit bitching that it's taking so long to create new characters and areas. You try making an 'effing video game! It isn't all easy and fun stuff you know. There's ALOT that goes into making a game! Especially with the type of physics that these guys have put into it!
Keep up the great work guys! Merry X-mas and a Happy New Year!

Posted on 12.19.07 16:12 PM by TheDReaper

hey guys i would have to go with a pirate because that would be more fun to play as

anyway i was just wondering if you guys could make a official forum for PAIN it would be fun to share secrets of strategies anyway just a thought!

Posted on 12.19.07 18:15 PM by CBdaQB

Ninja....but I want to be a pirate in Pain.
Next time make the characters cheaper. Add a custom character maker and the ability to save instant replays( and send them to friends).

Posted on 12.19.07 18:38 PM by MDB

just remember i'm not bitching about how long something takes 2 make i'm bitching about updates that were i thought meant 2 b game updates not board updates guess i got confused when someone said i'd like the new update they meant the message board posting i thought wrong right?RIGHT?!?! oh well another let down. still a great game i am patient. i'm gonna half 2 b with unreal tournament 3 as they released a fncked up game the voice chat don't even work at all but that's not your fault at all it's our's and i'm standing up 2 them as it's unacceptable.if u bought a hot dog from a vendor who's sign says hot food and it was cold/uncooked what would u do?i know what i'd do get my money back and another hot dog.u gonna do something DO IT RIGHT not half-assed or your gonna half 2 do it over ground up #1_in_the_hood_G!! Qraze

Posted on 12.20.07 00:43 AM by Thomas

broda812: why would the game be more enjoyable if they had pussy reference?

Posted on 12.20.07 20:13 PM by adam_thewarrior

Also with all the complaints going around its kinda funny that your major concern is about not saying family jewels when a girl's crotch gets hurt...........

Posted on 12.20.07 20:44 PM by adam_thewarrior

The game is O.K. for 9.99 but it not a great as everyone is telling you. wheres the blood man ??? it must be that pc world of boulder county bringin ya down. peice love and heroin man

Posted on 12.20.07 22:52 PM by jerkylips

Merry Christmas Travis and to all of the Pain development team

Posted on 12.21.07 11:36 AM by PhoenixCE

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! Where are MY presents?

Posted on 12.21.07 17:06 PM by travis williams

Travis,

I just got an evil christmas thought. Why don't you make yourself as a character in Pain, so we can slingshot you around

Posted on 12.21.07 21:53 PM by PhoenixCE

I've had the game for a few weeks now and it's a blast. I spent the last two days playing this with my 2 brothers, and both of them loved it. In fact, they would actually buy PS3 to have a game like this.

That being said, I still feel online play is needed and one more thing..............

WHAT ABOUT ALLOWING LEVEL EDITING FOR THE PLAYERS? ALLOW US to REARRANGE ALL THE ITEMS IN A LEVEL, THEREFORE KEEPING THE GAME FRESH. PERHAPS EVEN ALLOW US TO UPLOAD OUR LEVELS TO THE PSN?

Posted on 12.22.07 10:32 AM by Opie76

It didn't come out the way I ment to say it. I just think that, since "Family Jewels" and the like don't make sense on females, but they can still have PAIN inflicted, that there should be something else, not neccessarily a pussy reference.

Posted on 12.22.07 13:10 PM by broda812

ninja would win. Stealth Kills

Posted on 12.22.07 14:35 PM by ToneBoneLR

Idol minds is near boulder!? i live in pueblo not too far from boulder! thats crazy i didn't no 1 of my most favorite games was being made in a building less than 5 hours away from and o ya pirates win because there always being loud and havin a "blast" while ninjas r quiet and serious

Posted on 12.22.07 19:15 PM by rayderz50

NINJAS.

Posted on 12.23.07 04:12 AM by Shcone

I'm actually quite disturbed by the fact everyone is so militant on what they want NOW.... granted I understand and to a certain point agree with your thoughts. Though it's a game people, you're not doing all the work, you're enjoying the fruits of other people's time. (time well spent I might add) You want to express your idea's fine, but be civil. This is just an observational comment, nothing towards any slap in the face or arguemnetitive strikes.

Posted on 12.24.07 11:36 AM by Jebus13

aren't they enjoying the fruits our labor though as it is our money we r giving them. i'm a carpenter so i know what is like 2 build something from the ground up pretty much everyday that's what i do. and i know it takes time i am very patient with developers. but some developers/publishers aren't patient at all UT3 has so many flaws it's like their r no testers 2 find them they released a beta version of UT3 4 $60.00 bucks and sold me on user created content that was not their and if u have a pc u can unzip a few mods but nothing like the manual says u should b able 2 get them. i'm sorry it's unrelated i know. but this game does rock out and keep up the good work. p.s. i think u guys shouldn't tell us anything as it builds us up and it can b a long fall. i love suprises not anticipation my opinion anyway - Qraze

Posted on 12.24.07 14:54 PM by Thomas

Thomas: Take your crying over Unreal Tournament 3 elsewhere. This is a blog for Pain. Now hush so they can make money off of our ideas..............

Posted on 12.24.07 18:08 PM by adam_thewarrior

hey adam that must have flown right over your head huh?and i am making valid points and u post more things than anybody else so u have no authority 2 tell anybody 2 "hush". i stand up 4 people who sit.

Posted on 12.24.07 20:19 PM by Thomas

hey so haz any 1 gotn al the trophies? i kant gt the moon 1 or across town

Posted on 12.25.07 00:17 AM by rayderz50

Thomas: Ok moron, I said to hush so they can make money off of our ideas for pain. U bitch about UT3

Posted on 12.25.07 15:25 PM by adam_thewarrior

Ok, this is not cool. My userID is Thomas as well, but this dude is shaming it! Just to clarify, there are 2 Thomas' on here...the one who loves the game and is not complaining...and then the one who is talking about UT3...for real. Just to clarify.

ps: any1 know how to change it?

Posted on 12.25.07 16:14 PM by Thomas

ok, nevermind, I got it!

Posted on 12.25.07 18:12 PM by FonkyMonkey

that statement is industry wide. i never had a problem with glitchy games until this generation. i'm not gonna flame a fanboy war we're both on the same side just different opinions is all. Adam i'm sorry Thomas(the other 1) i'm sorry as well. i was just trying 2 get a message out 2 as many people as possible. won't happen again. but i would still love a giant circus. i just think that would b awesome cuz everything from the game fits so well in it. and i am willing 2 bet that the 1st game update will include custom soundtracks. take your time, make sure no bugs r in it like the 2 billion score.peace 2 the new year #1_in_the_hood_G!!

Posted on 12.25.07 18:28 PM by Qraze

also i would love 2 throw around a bill clinton type character. he could play the sax say i didn't inhale among other things i think that would kick arse

Posted on 12.25.07 18:36 PM by Qraze

Thomas is making valid points here, I didn't pay (however small the price) for a game I didn't expect to have some long term apeal. Its nice to see that these developers are at least asking for our opinion, but I've been promised updates and fixes in so many games I've owned before that it shakes my confidence. I mean, look at ShadowRun, in the BLOGs we were told of new charecters, powers, and maps. In the end we recieved none of these and its become a "ghost town" of online games, A game with so many loyal players thats fun to play should never fall off like that. This game is incredibly fun and I can see the community slowly building. I just don't want this to turn into one of the many "cult" games out there. In this day and age where games have to deliver unforgetable experiences or tons of content (it be free or at a price) in order to have any lasting playability, questions like these shouldn't be on a fan blog. The game should have come with ninjas and pirates plus a ton of maps, themes, etc.

Posted on 12.26.07 05:22 AM by Lord_Malice

It would be nice to see playable celeberity impersonators like: Elvis, Jack Nicholson, the Govenator, Oprah, Shaq... the possibilities are endless.
Also, how fun would it be to have a league of imitation Super Heroes
You could release 2 charecter packs, The Hollywood Pack, and The SuperPain Pack

P.S. Don't forget to add a Darth Vader Imitatation charecter named Lord Malice, can't forget Lord Malice.

Posted on 12.26.07 05:41 AM by Lord_Malice

Everyone,
Realize that PS3 development is NOT PC development. That means that when we change code we must pass a few levels of QA before we can release it to you. In addition to that we are in the process of making sure that future releases come out for all territories at the same time. So that means that when we think something is cool It needs to be cool in multiple languages. While everyone in the US might not like this gamers in the UK and Asia who haven’t been able to play PAIN will no doubt appreciate our stance.

This lull will be temporary as we sync all territories up. While some territories will get PAIN for the first time you guys in the US will get a free single player game mode. PAIN has always been planned to offer more content post launch. A good part of this strat was to receive player input and make sure that we are not making a game that only the development team enjoys.

But that takes time. Remember first we have to ask. Then we must implement. THEN we must test. It doesn’t happen instantly. If it did it would be substandard. What we release to you is what we feel is quality and not just an attempt at making you silent. I hope in the end you come to appreciate the time we take to make our releases quality. We have been working on this next release since we mastered PAIN so it’s coming, and I will let everyone know when it comes.

The website and the updates are not to taunt you. They are posted so that you all can see that we are:
1. Listening to you
2. Still working
3. Want input
4. Have a sense of humor just like you do

So enjoy what you have of PAIN right now. I am sure after this next release you’ll all be back for more suggestions. I hope that comes with ample amounts of praises as well.

Happy New Year Peeps!

And we don't ask questions just because. The questions we ask are for a reason. Even if we don't tell you what it is just yet.

Posted on 12.27.07 02:46 AM by travis williams

Are there any plans to add the ability to save replays??

Posted on 12.27.07 09:06 AM by Justin

thanks Travis, i have no problems when i know u guys r ironing out the flaws!that's means a perfect game thanks 4 keeping us posted even when we kinda incurred your wrath,my bad. OUR BAD. now a glitch i have encountered while playing the game it's not even the actual game it's when i try 2 go into the community board 1 of 5 times i try 2 go into the community it just freezes where the mouse icon shows up it just doesn't and freezes. has anyone else encountered this? it's not major but i have 2 hard reset the ps3 just thought u might want 2 know cuz i don't believe i could b the only 1 other than that i have no problems/issues that i could find or have been exposed 2. and again i appreciate the effort being put in 2 all aspects of the game. thanks and #1_in_the_hood_G!!

Posted on 12.27.07 09:25 AM by Qraze

thanks travis for the update I appreciate it and all but it just seems to me that with major success of after market sales over the intetrnet, games that would previously seem incomplete are now completely acceptable. I'm not saying that you aren't doing you're best to give your customers a great gaming expirience because I know that takes time and resources. I only feel you're moving too fast in the delivery. I known alot of people out there would disagree, but I would rather have a fuller game before I have a fast one. Look at it this way, five years ago, would you more likely buy a game that has only a handful of playable charecters and 6 basic game modes based on a single level for $10 in january, or a game that had over a dozen playable charecter, tons of different game modes to be played on atleast 5 diferent maps at $30 even if it released 6 months later. I'd rather have the latter. I apreciate the great job you guys are doing, but this game just feels incomplete to me. Sorry but thats my opinion

Posted on 12.27.07 14:30 PM by Lord_Malice

Lord_Malice: Your right, the game is incomplete. It is just a test to see if anybody would like this time of game. Also Sony wanted a game with ingame advertising. HVBowling has 10 playable characters, more than ten bowling lanes. Two outfits for every characters, massive amounts of trophies, balls, and patches to earn. All of this for the same price as pain. $9.99.

Posted on 12.28.07 00:45 AM by adam_thewarrior

type*

Posted on 12.28.07 00:45 AM by adam_thewarrior

I am not going to engage people on a pricing discussion for a couple reasons. First and foremost, because it’s not my job to price and market a game. I make the games. Secondly, because I am sure I would have drastically different views on this subject.

I will say your perception of what constitutes a level and what does not does not jibe with mine. You take a game like an arcade shooter and give me different objects to blast and a different background color and you call it a day (or a level). Now if you are telling me that the PAIN modes “mime toss” and “spank the monkey” are not equal if not MORE amounts of work and I will tell you that there are some fundamentals about game development that you are missing.

You can view at PAIN as having one “level” or you can look at how much work went into making six “levels” (with varied degrees of difficulty) that all have the same staging area and determine if your logic still holds up. I can assure you that making PAIN Bowling a playable “level” and making a High Velocity bowling area are two drastically different undertakings.

In a PAIN mode creation discussion there are some very real factors we must always consider:

1. Is this funny?
2. Is this fun?
3. Is this balanced?
4. Is there REAL skill involved?

That’s a far cry from just making a new place to shoot things in. I don’t want to sound like PAIN is the answer to all that ails, but we do spend a lot of time making sure a mode belongs in a game.

@LordMalice: Like I said before PAIN is not just about putting a bunch of levels out and seeing how well it does. It was about getting input from the users and seeing what worked and what did not. Although we could have released PAIN later with more areas and more characters for a higher price it wouldn’t have been as impactful without the input from the user base. If you like what you saw don’t buy anything for another six months or so and maybe there will be enough PAIN content for you to have the type of entertainment you are looking for. What you will miss out on is the chance to be heard and your input being a part of whatever comes out next.

Online game delivery and creation of this nature is somewhat new to SCE and PAIN is an attempt to see if this kind of interaction works. You all can either rebel against game makers actually caring about what you think and I can go back to the drawing board and make the same types of games that everyone always seems to buy and then complain about the lack of innovation. OR you can help a brother out. You just can’t have your cake and eat it too.

@Qraze: No wrath involved dude. I think a more involved explanation to everyone was in order. I think the fundamental issue you guys might miss is how much work goes into making sure these “sandbox” areas are fun and packed with in jokes and things to do. I would be more concerned if you were on the boards telling me how much you hate PAIN. Everyone is just saying

Please, Sir, I want some more.

And I have to be Mr. Bumble in Oliver who says:

MOOOOOOOOOOORE?

But instead of being a jerk about it (Like Mr. Bumble) I just need to get back to work. Which I will be next week Mmmkay? I guess when you think about it I’m working right now.

Posted on 12.28.07 02:45 AM by travis williams

Oh... and Justin YES, we are working on the replay option to do just that.

Posted on 12.28.07 02:47 AM by travis williams

PAIN is a blast and like everyone else here, I am really looking forward to improvements and new content. I can be patient as I would rather have quality then quantity. Thanks for soliciting our comments and your feedback. Happy New Year to the developers and the PAIN community.

Posted on 12.28.07 12:24 PM by slewis

Hey Travis, This game rocks!! I hope to see new stuff as soon as you can get it ready. That kitchen idea from above sounds cool. Launching into the mixer or the microwave would be sweet! Another Idea we had would be to have diff characters for offline multiplayer, so my buds and I could stop arguing over which one to select. Also, are you guys gonna clear off that 2 billion point round from the leaderboard? What kind of cheat/bug did that guy find???

Posted on 12.28.07 21:21 PM by TonyB

Pirate

Definitely love the game guys, even though I must confess that I have stopped playing it everyday. Being asked if I was masochistic pretty much blew it for me, just kidding.

One suggestion to the game I think may be in order is behind the scenes videos. Just a quick trip around the office would really help give some people a good idea of the work involved.

Few questions I have if I may ask:

What kind of physics engine are you guys running? If you guys aren't running Euphoria(http://www.naturalmotion.com/)you guys definitely need to use it in PAIN 2.

(Dumb question)
Why can we almost read the newspaper in the game, but yet the "Super Cola" machine is mostly blurred? Perhaps it is copyright infringement? Pretty obvious there is a Mountain Dew bottle on there. Yes, I have no life, lol.

Posted on 12.29.07 01:25 AM by Pixel09_GA

In hindsight this game is a waste of money in my opinion. I got more enjoyment out of Everyday Shooter and that's not saying much, because it didn't have multiplayer, but I willing to see where you guys can take it. Right now as it stands I got around 2 or 3 days of enjoyment out of it before it got repetitive and not funny.

Everyone knew that it wouldn't be a game with a lot of content from the start. We all knew that there was more coming, but I think a lot including myself expected there to be more than there was with the base game before all the add ons came. Personally I still think 4 characters and 2 levels from the start would have justified the price.

I don't blame Idol Mind's completely, because this isn't the first time Sony has overpriced something. Two Resistance maps for 8 dollars come to mind, but they did learn from that and didn't overprice the next maps. Hopefully they will learn not to overprice small mini-games such as this in the future.

Posted on 12.29.07 13:07 PM by Neon Reaver

In-between playing my retail box games, I am still enjoying PAIN. It's easy to start it up and lose a quick 30-60 minutes playing it.

It was well worth the $10 to me.

Has there been any progress on identifying the scoring glitch yet?

Posted on 12.29.07 14:37 PM by SandSkorpion

I agree with Neon Reaver.

Well this is my last update to this blog as I am deleting Pain, and the memories of the whole experience. Good luck out there to the people waiting for more content. Around New Year's Eve next year there might be an update other than the stupid multiplayer modes being made single player. Hey Pain staff: You can still play them alone anyways so why give it to us as an update? I mastered them myself by taking both turns......who would have thunk it possible?? ha ha ha ha ha ha

Posted on 12.29.07 15:11 PM by adam_thewarrior

hey what about a jungle with a cuople of idolminds tikis

Posted on 12.30.07 21:56 PM by matthew

couple not cuople.....sorry

Posted on 12.30.07 21:57 PM by matthew

Sir,

As anyone knows, PIRATES are perfect beings created in his noodly image......Well not even close, but who cares.

Back to the story....Because Pirates are Holy beings, you could almost say they are Diety-riffic!! There is no question that they would whip ass in a bunch of sneaky-assed ninjas.

Ramen

Posted on 12.31.07 03:57 AM by James

FSM is no match for ninja god ROBO-MONKEY!!!!!!!

Posted on 12.31.07 14:21 PM by Jebus13

Does PAIN have a story? Let's see, it could be:
For many moons ago in a galaxy far, far away: A scientist team invented a weapon of death. The scientist team decided to hide the weapon so nobody could use it and unleash it's dangerous power, but one scientist had turned evil. He stole the weapon and used it against his own team, but then...
God showed himself and said: "I may not be able to destroy that weapon, but it is a threat to our nation's security."
So god took the weapon and destroyed the ammunition.
It was only one solution for the evil scientist. To use human beings as ammunition and send them to destroy a massive amount of themes.
(* The part with God does not represent my believes, and is not meant offencive in any way.)
(* I know, I shouldn't be allowed this much spare time... .)

Posted on 12.31.07 22:40 PM by Tommy*

Definately the Ninja

Posted on 01.01.08 05:55 AM by Bf2:MC MASTER

Ninja. Just look at how many things they can do, they have many different ways to defeat their enemy.

Posted on 01.01.08 07:53 AM by Tolin

Ninja, and pirate, both sound like they would be really funny characters, you should make them both....Ninja would win though....But i really think you should make a Bill G@TES look alike...or a big CRAP-BOX to through into that building, then train, then subway...now that would be hillarious!!!! PS3 Rules!!!!

Posted on 01.01.08 09:01 AM by Richard

Thanks Travis for the reply. I think I can understand where your coming from. Its sad to see people leaving the game this early, especially when it has this much potential. I'll leave it at that.

Anyway, it doesn't really matter if its pirates or ninjas so long as I get to stab those damn MIMES when I fly off the sling.

Hey, speaking of swords how about a knight in shinning armor getting launched off a catapault to penetrate a castle, he could hit all sort of things like cows, princess, a shrubery, a king, a dragon, peasents, and etc... He could say stuff like, "Run away, run away...", "There has to be a better way to slay a dragon", "I prithe heavens, don't let me land on excaliber", "Damn, you Lord_Malice", and "Niiiiiiiiiii". Ahh thats priceless. Lord Malice would be a good name, but I guess Arthur would work too. Tell me what you guys think, what else should he hit or say?

Posted on 01.01.08 12:46 PM by Lord_Malice

ninjas. this game is fresh! i cant wait for the additional content and online play for this game. keep up the good play.

Posted on 01.01.08 14:20 PM by Max

Pirates for the win!

Posted on 01.02.08 03:28 AM by Hakan

Pirate. There are always drunk and like to steal people money. For you guys that wonder what the ninja will look like go in your PAIN menu and look at the image that is in the bottom right of you screen when you go ON not IN the multiplayer icon. he is like all red whit a katana on his back, black ¨gloves¨, black boots and whit a black mask.

Harr, pirate for the win.

Posted on 01.02.08 08:29 AM by BumbiQc

How about a confused Ninja Pirate monkey.... or a chainsaw weilding Pirate and a ninja with terettes

Posted on 01.02.08 12:46 PM by Jebus13

Let's see, if Jean Claude VanDame was the Ninja and Steven Segal was the pirate then the pirate would totally win....UNLESS Milla Jovovich was up in the crow's nest with that raygun thingy she uses in "Resident Evil Extiction," which I don't even know for shure that she really has because I couldn't even afford to see the movie since I spent all of my entertainment budget buying these lame-assed SONY Playstation Store games. BUT I do understand that this VanDame dude is a complete pussy, so there.

Posted on 01.12.08 04:16 AM by stivbatorslives

The pirate would definately win. He's got better jokes. Besides, He'd fight dirty and most likely shoot the ninja in the back before the fight even began.

Posted on 01.13.08 04:56 AM by david

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