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Darwinia creator Introversion announced during this week's Eurogamer Expo that its upcoming Darwinia+ should arrive on Xbox Live Arcade by "the next side of Christmas." The game should be submitted to Microsoft certification in the coming weeks, hopefully ensuring a release early next year. Darwinia devotees will remember that the game began its journey to XBLA all the way back in 2006, and, according to Eurogamer, Introversion isn't exactly happy about it.

The company's Chris Delay noted that Microsoft required several changes to the game, most notably the inclusion of multiplayer. Said Delay, "We were trying to satisfy Microsoft. That's the most awful motivation in the world for making a videogame." Here's hoping the developer's devotion to bringing the game to XBLA has paid off.

As PC indie-darling Darwinia takes the long way to consoles, it's time for developer Introversion to show off some Darwinia+ Avatar merchandise -- where the real money from the game is made. A couple weeks back the studio showed off two shirts that'll be available to Avatars at some point in the future, probably when the game finally launches.

Although we're not sure if the clothing items will cost anything on the Avatar Marketplace, it'd be pretty hard to resist the purchase of little Darwinians as a prop. They'd be so cute skittering about our virtual representation's feet.

Steam is offering the "who's who" of independent video games in an incredible sale you'd be silly to miss. For $30, you can get 10 indie games via the service:

• Audiosurf
• Blueberry Garden
• Braid
• Crayon Physics Deluxe
• Darwinia
• Everyday Shooter
• Gish
• Mr. Robot
• The Path
• World of Goo

There's a lower-budget $20 option as well, which only includes half the games above. Either way, you'll be feeding starving independent developers without having to break the bank. Oh, and most of these games are pretty fun, too. It's a win-win for everyone, so make sure you rush to Steam before the sale ends on Monday, August 10.

The XBLA approval process has always been a process shrouded in mystery ... until now. Developer Introversion, the folks behind upcoming XBLA game Darwinia+, are laying all the cards on the table -- design documents, internal emails, weekly reports, code from the game and even the project plan -- thus providing transparency of the XBLA approval process. Available on Introversion's website, the company has made it clear that it'll show "the good, the bad, and the very very very bad" that takes place during game development. "If we can show it to you -- we will."

Teaming up with GamesIndustry.biz, the company will also be regularly updating an ongoing series "critiquing the ongoing development process," and presumably helping those outside of Introversion to understand more intricately what has gone into creating Darwinia+. The game is set to release internally on September 24, so with any luck we'll see it not too long afterward.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

Introversion devotees know exactly what Multiwinia is and why they should be excited, but many others might not remember the multiplayer update to award-winning strategy title Darwinia, due out this September. Both parties should check out Rock Paper Shotgun's extensive preview of Multiwinia, showing off just how hardcore the adorable little flat sprites can be.

Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest will feature the usual smattering of multiplayer modes, built upon the stellar gameplay and gorgeous aesthetic that made Darwinia an instant Joystiq classic. Gameplay modes will include Darwinian twists on deathmatch, king of the hill, capture the flag, territories, and a few more modes unique to the Darwinia universe. We can't wait to wage tiny, tiny war.

So, should we expect all PC-to-XBLA ports to add a plus sign to their titles and call it a day now? Nominal concerns aside, Introversion Software has acknowledged the ESRB rating of Darwinia for the Xbox 360 and confirmed the existence of the title. The game will be titled Darwinia+ and will include both the original Darwinia and the upcoming multiplayer expansion, Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest. Details are sparse, apart from the fact that Darwinia+ should hit XBLA in Fall 2008

For those who don't have the patience to wait that long, we suggest you snag the demo from Introversion, which is available for Mac, PC, and Linux.

Acknowledging the game's "leak" by the ESRB, Introversion has confirmed that Darwinia+, a combination of Darwinia and the multiplayer variant Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest, is coming to Xbox Live this Fall. Introversion also provided reassureance that Multiwinia is coming to the PC.

No other details are given; if you have never played Darwinia, then we strongly suggest you to download the demo (available for Windows, Mac and Linux) and try it out. Here's hoping this starts a precedent and we can one day enjoy DEFCON and the upcoming Subversion on our platform of choice.

The all-knowing US rating overlords at the ESRB have declared cult favorite Darwinia is on its way to Xbox 360 with an E rating. The long-rumored console version of Darwinia is expected as an Xbox Live Arcade title.

The real question about the XBLA version of Darwinia is whether it'll incorporate Multiwinia, an announced multiplayer version of the game. For those who know nothing about Darwinia, the game oozes with geekiness as the player is tasked with saving the Darwinians, a colony of AIs living in old '80s servers under attack. No release date is attached to the project.

Update: Introversion confirms everything. Darwinia and Multiwinia will release together as one package called Darwinia+ on XBLA this fall.

[Thanks Bob, Via X3F]

Well that took a while. After being rumored for Xbox Live Arcade nearly two years ago, Darwinia from Introversion has been rated by the ESRB for Xbox 360. While we don't have any more solid details regarding the 360 version of the game -- believed to be an XBLA title -- the ESRB rating gives us hope that it won't be too long before we start to hear more about the title (or better yet, get a chance to actually play it).

For those that haven't played it, the gameplay is regarded as somewhat hard to classify, so we've embedded a trailer in the hopes that it might clarify things a bit (hint: it doesn't, but the game sure looks fun).

[Via XBLArcade]

Introversion has announced that award-winning game Darwinia is going multiplayer. Set for release as a standalone product, Multiwinia will let you play cooperatively or competitively with someone else. The number of people who can play together simultaneously is currently unknown, but we're hoping for for some pretty frantic action across many, many armies.

The game will be spearheaded by John Knottenbelt while Introversion co-founder Chris Delay "[begins] work on other new projects" (console titles? Subversion?). Knottenbelt mentions there will be graphical improvements from the game, though it's unclear if he's talking about the recent Vista upgrades or something beyond that, and a new formation mode, "which will let you organise your Darwinians into ranks to create massive armies."

Details are sparse currently, though Introversion is expected to make a few announcements at next week's Game Developers Conference. Multiwinia is being planned for a 2008 release.

[Thanks, Sam!]

Introvervision co-founder Mark Morris has told Next Generation that the company is looking into bringing a few of their titles to the home console front by way of digital distribution.

Morris explained that their relationship so far with the console makers has allowed them to retain intellectual freedom in their design. Unlike publishers who try to give them money at the cost of some control of the game, the console makers are "just offering massive distribution of the games and to give [us] a return back on that. That works for us," he said.

For what system and which titles is unknown -- all three of the current systems (PS3, Wii and Xbox 360) are capable of digital distribution. Morris said the game(s) would be available within the next twelve months. An earlier rumor from eight months ago suggest a partnership with Xbox Live, which makes since considering the recent Vista upgrade of Darwinia and the similarities in architecture from Windows to Xbox 360 development.

Introversion is responsible for Darwinia, DEFCON, and Uplink. They are currently working on a project codenamed Subversion.

[Thanks, Sam!]

Introversion, the little game maker whose project Darwinia garnered them cult status, has just released an enhanced version specifically for Windows Vista. The upgrade has been in the making since June 2006, according to Introversion co-founder Chris Delay. Upgrades include:

• Shift from OpenGL to DirectX, which enable enhanced visuals such as "screen warping explosion effects, reflective water, and Darwinian soul 'auras.'"
• Support for the Xbox 360 controller
• Three new levels: Jailbreak, Stronghold and Doomsday
• Other Vista-centric compatibility features

Those who already own Darwinia can expect an upcoming patch that adds all the enhancements. For those that want to try out the game (and we wholly recommend that you do), Darwinia has been given a prominent purchase location MSN Vista games page for $19.95.

Introversion is currently working on a double secret title codenamed Subversion.

[Via CVG]

Introversion, creator of indie darlings Darwinia and DEFCON, have announced their next project will be called Subversion. Company co-founder Chris Delay made the announcement earlier last week, noting that the project is early in production and the development will be blogged.

Understanding that many developers fall into the trap where hype leads to disappointment, Delay assures that he will make no promises as to final features and game play details.

As another point, Delay points out that the attached images, including the one to the right, is not a representation of the game and anyone who treats the screenshots as such are mistaken. You've been warned.

[Via videogames blogger]

If you've played either Uplink or Darwinia, then you're familiar with, and more than likely love, UK-based developer Introversion. It seems the indie studio has been in talks recently with both Microsoft and Sony to bring its content to each respective company's online arena.

"I'm afraid I can't really give you any concrete details at the moment - suffice it is to say that we are currently discussing a number of deal negotiations with Sony and Microsoft," said Introversion's Vicky Arundel while talking with UK-based games site Eurogamer.

Given that the company has experience with digital distribution, having released their beloved game Darwinia via Valve's Steam service, the company is a natural fit for each company's service. The question is, will Microsoft try and throw money at the guys to gain exclusivity for their games on the Xbox Live service?

In some leftover scuttlebutt from GDC, word on the street is that the bad boys from Introversion, the independent developers that created indie-darling (and Independent Games Festival winner) Darwinia are working with the big boys in Redmond to get their game on the Xbox Live Arcade platform. Reasons why this is a logical move and a likely rumor:

• They've already gotten Darwinia on that other major digital distribution network (psst: it begins with "Stea" and ends with "m". Got it?)
• Uh, they've said they're interested. We know, everyone's interested. Fellow Steam-distributed developers Ritual Entertainment keep screaming about it, but they've got that whole enormous download thing to deal with. The XBLArcade blog points us to this video (.wmv) of SpikeTV's GameHead where Introversion's Mark Morris says, "... it's about 30 megs which makes it perfect for things like Live Arcade." CliffyB asks if they're planning on it and Morris responds, "I'm gonna try. Gonna talk to Microsoft and see what they say."
• XBLArcade correctly points out that if the developers of an award-winning and critically acclaimed independent game want to bring it to your platform, what do you say? Well, according to German blog Xbox Archiv, you say "Yes. Please." They claim to have overheard a conversation at GDC between the two parties.

Let's hope that logic wins the day and we get another stellar entrant to Microsoft's walled-garden of Arcade treats.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Read - XBLArcade Rumor Roundup
Read - Darwinia for Xbox Live Arcade (Xbox Archiv machine translation)