Schizoid (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Schizoid


developer = Torpex Games
publisher = Microsoft Game Studios
released = July 9 2008 [http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2008/07/07/559812.aspx Schizoid and Golf: Tee It Up! - XBLA - Wednesday] , Gamerscore Blog]
genre = Action
modes = Single player, Online Co-operative
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=Everyone
platforms = Xbox Live Arcade
media = Download
input = Gamepad

Schizoid is an action game which focuses on teamwork. Players must co-operate to protect each other from barrages of glowing enemies. The title was developed by Torpex Games and launched on Xbox Live Arcade on July 9, 2008 for 800 Microsoft Points.

"Penny Arcade" awarded "Schizoid" a place in their "PAX 10" awards [http://www.pennyarcadeexpo.com/pax10.php] , as one of the best independently-developed games of the year "in terms of gameplay and 'fun factor'."

Gameplay

Two player-controlled ships, colored red and blue, are maneuvered around a game level. Red and blue enemies charge at the ships of the opposite color. If a player ship touches an enemy of the same color, the enemy is destroyed; but if the enemy is of the opposite color, the player ship is destroyed. When all red and blue enemies are cleared from the level, the level ends and players begin the next level.

Two single-player game modes are available: "Wingman Bot Training", in which the player controls the blue ship and a bot controls the red ship; and "Uberschizoid", in which the player controls both ships simultaneously. One multiplayer game mode is available, playable either as an Xbox Live game over an Internet connection, or with two players at the same console in "Local Co-op" game mode.

The only control used on the game controller during the game is the left thumbstick, unless playing in Uberschizoid game mode, in which case the player uses both thumbsticks to control the two ships.

During gameplay, the two ships must work closely together to clear enemies from the levels. Each player ship alone is completely vulnerable to enemies of the opposite color; only the other player ship can provide a rescue.

Torpex Games calls "Schizoid" "the most co-op game ever" because of the tight cooperation required to play multiplayer games. (Official Xbox Magazine wrote of this claim, "It ain't lying." [http://www.torpexgames.com/games.php Torpex Games ] ] ) The game's "Uberschizoid" single-player game mode is apparently intended for hardcore gamers; IGN claimed of Uberschizoid, "Your brain will never be the same." A more accessible single-player game mode called "Wingman" is available.

Development history

"Schizoid" is notable for being the first Xbox Live Arcade game built using XNA Game Studio Express; "Aegis Wing" had been created using pre-XNA tools.

Development of the game started in September 2006. The first prototype of core gameplay was completed in just four days. [cite web | url=http://thexboxdomain.net/2007/04/06/developer-interview-torpex-gamesschizoid/ | publisher=The Xbox Domain | title=Developer Interview - Torpex Games (Schizoid) | accessdate=2007-04-06 ]

Richard Garfield, famous for creating Magic The Gathering, helped in the design of the game.

Reception

*Team Xbox - 8.1 [http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1538/Schizoid/p1/]
*IGN - 7.8 [http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/886/886922p1.html]

References

Links

* [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/s/schizoidxboxlivearcade/default.htm Official "Schizoid" Xbox.com game page]
* [http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/mar07/03-04DreamBuildPlayPR.mspx Official Press Release Announcement]
* [http://thexboxdomain.net/2007/04/06/developer-interview-torpex-gamesschizoid/ Torpex Games Interview]