Pirates, Ninjas call truce 'til spring

Blazing Lizard says extra dev time used to implement more traditional modes to unconventional dodgeball translation for Xbox Live Arcade.

For most, an epic showdown pitting pirates versus ninjas, zombies versus robots, or any combination thereof can't come soon enough. However, Xbox 360 gamers looking forward to Blazing Lizard's upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball will need to wait a bit longer, as publisher Gamecock Media Group said today that the game has been pushed back from its early 2008 release window to later this spring.

While the game still promises a variety of madcap takes on dodgeball, Austin, Texas-based Blazing Lizard said the additional development time will be applied toward adding more straight-faced gameplay modes. The new rule sets will focus on traditional dodgeball gameplay, where teams will stick to one side and multiple balls will be in play.

As covered in GameSpot's preview of the game, PVND features single-player exhibition, story, and challenge modes, as well as cooperative and competitive modes for four players locally and eight players online.

46 Comments

  • cooldude03

    Posted Apr 11, 2008 4:06 pm PT

    Best game title ever!

  • cooldude03

    Posted Apr 11, 2008 4:05 pm PT

    I read somewhere that the game is very lacking in the gameplay and modes department. I'm glad to hear they're working to improve the game. Acknowledging the need for improvement always makes me feel better about the rate for success during a games developement cycle. better to delay than to disappoint. Go Ninja, Go Ninja, Go!

  • Kensei_Kitsune

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 4:16 pm PT

    But, Earthnuggets...

    Chuck Norris already has a video game...

    Also, ChickenHounk911, I agree completely with that Hierarchy.

  • BigSmitts07

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:22 pm PT

    i dont like playing arcade like at all...but i really wouldnt mind playing dodgeball online...cant wait to try this =)

  • ChickenHounk911

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 2:57 pm PT

    We ALL know that the secret unlockable team will be ALIENS! Here is the hierarchy: ALIENS> ZOMBIES > NINJAS > PIRATES > ROBOTS

  • Evanrocknuma

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 1:48 pm PT

    Can't wait! They should have made it first person though. 3rd person might sort of just feel like a gimicky minigame as seen in other games rather than a full dodgeball game. Here is hoping!

  • HolteEnder4Life

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 11:17 am PT

    hmmmm not realy fussed about this, i think ill dl the trial first

  • dragonsama

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 7:19 am PT

    Finally the burning questions can be answered! I can't wait for this game it is going to be bigger than Halo!!!

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 3:44 am PT

    I've been looking forward to this game. I hope it won't get delayed any further than this.

  • darfvader

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 2:32 am PT

    pirates ftw

  • earthnuggets

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 1:21 am PT

    I HOPE THEY RELEASE MORE GAMES BASED ON INTERNET MEMES HALF A DECADE AFTER THEY'RE OLD!!!

    Here are some ideas:

    Chuck Norris: The Ultimate Weapon
    Mike Huckabee has been kidnapped by ninjas. Is Chuck Norris a bad enough dude to rescue a failed presidential candidate? Obviously. Take out enemies with your chin-fist and powerful round-house kicks. This third-person action title puts you into the snake-skin cowboy boots of Chuck Norris and features day-to-night transitions the likes of which haven't been seen since Castlevania II: Simon's Quest. It's not like it will affect gameplay though; Chuck Norris doesn't sleep, he waits! Read the bible and do bicycle crunches to improve your strength. You'll have to go all out if you want to defeat the master of the ninja menace: Android Bruce Lee.

    LOLCATS: We Can Has Game?
    YES YOU CAN! CATS ARE SO CUTE!

    Goatse.cx.EXE
    Exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, use your Wiimote to push, or rather PULL your anus to its limits! Great for parties! Invite your friends over for some Smash Brothers, and then surprise them with Goatse.cx.EXE!!!

  • Great_Ragnarok

    Posted Apr 10, 2008 12:08 am PT

    LMAO its more like the massacre of Pirates than priates vs ninja.

  • aygol

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 11:55 pm PT

    Pirates FTW.

    Pirates > Ninjas

  • BelmontMaster

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 10:55 pm PT

    Such a fail arguments, its utterly impossible for a pirate to win a battle against a ninja, I mean seriously!

  • dukerav

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 10:24 pm PT

    Ninja Pirates>Pirates

  • Drizzt46

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 10:02 pm PT

    ScionofEntropy: Agreed. How dated is this? Really, how many years ago was the Ninjas/Pirates thing? Isn't there something new that people can ruin?

  • Lumenadducere

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 9:45 pm PT

    Heh, I didn't even know this was being made. I'll have to look into it, if only for the novelty of having a "pirates vs. ninjas" game.

  • ScionofEntropy

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 9:40 pm PT

    I don't know how to say this without having people complain, so I'll just get it out there. The ninjas/pirates thing has gone too long, and I am amazed that people still care. Perhaps if this had been made in the beginning when the fad was still young, I would see this as less of a ploy and more of an attempt at a credible game based on relatively obscure pop culture. But to be frank, I see this being about as solid a title as Ninja Training, if feedback from critics who've gotten a bit of time with it is any indication.

    If it turns out good somehow, hey, more power to them. Good job, Blazing Lizard. As for myself, I think I'll spend points on another Live Arcade title.

  • omega_viper89

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 9:00 pm PT

    Ninja's would obviously win... I mean come on they're Ninja's anything short of a Z Fighter, Jesus, and God would be dead/Destroyed before he/she/it knew what was happening.

  • omega_viper89

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 9:00 pm PT

    Ninja's would obviously win... I mean come there Ninja's anything short of a Z Fighter, Jesus, and God would be dead/Destroyed before he/she/it knew what was happening.

  • halohelldaddy45

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 6:23 pm PT

    ALL ABOUT THE PIRATES BABY!

  • peeviness

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 6:12 pm PT

    pirates>all

  • Kensei_Kitsune

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 5:39 pm PT

    Zombies>Ninjas+Pirates

  • EPaul

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 5:36 pm PT

    Good hope they make the game better

  • shadyelf

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 5:16 pm PT

    Ninjas>Pirates

  • stevo_360

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 5:01 pm PT

    Pirates>Ninjas!

  • BigDaddy973

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:35 pm PT

    Will suck anyway...

  • planetpib

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:26 pm PT

    Ninjas>pirates.

  • PainKiller_25

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:18 pm PT

    At least they are having some effort with these game

  • Miss_Wacy

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:48 pm PT

    cool, another good game to add to my xbox live arcade collection

  • Adam_the_Nerd

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:37 pm PT

    Hurry already. This is probably one of the most anticipated XBLA games ever!

  • BoogieManZero

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:34 pm PT

    I can wait...any added depth to an arcade game is fine with me. With this and V8 Arcade set for release some time later this Spring I'll be set on Arcade titles for a while.

  • TheGum

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:24 pm PT

    Had no clue such a game existed, but it sounds awesome.

  • WestSydeRyder

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 3:12 pm PT

    tht sux i waz waiting 4 this gmae 2 come out 2

  • Rayze78

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 2:57 pm PT

    I was hoping this was coming out soon since it looks pretty interesting. But I would rather have them take their time, then to rush it out and have the game be a total letdown.

  • Rayze78

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 2:57 pm PT

    I was hoping this was coming out soon since it looks pretty interesting. But I would rather have a cool game, than a big letdown.

  • SuperTramp707

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 2:29 pm PT

    To werc96:

    The article is about a delayed release date and the reasons for it. It provides that infomration and a bit more perfectly well. If you want to write a f**king novel about it for some reason, go right ahead, but I'm tired of people jumping on this "criticise all Gamespot's news articles" bandwagon. I'm not saying they don't put up some pretty poor articles from time to time, but unless people can do better, and have evidence to prove it, they should keep their no-doubt ignorant mouths shut.

  • sonicare

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 1:26 pm PT

    This is a travesty. The delay, that is.

  • jimfromtx

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 1:17 pm PT

    For some reason, I laugh at their statement (as quoted by LordAndrew) that they're delaying the game because it was pirated. Although personally I blame the ninjas Oddly enough, a few friends of mine once did PvN racquetball, live. If only we had had filming rights...it would have been epic.

  • TexasAnMGrad2K

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 1:16 pm PT

    Now what are we gonna play?

  • re4leonkennedy

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 1:03 pm PT

    Pirates and ninjas playing dodgeball. Who thinks up this stuff?

  • LordAndrew

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 12:48 pm PT

    There's nothing else they could have said.
    In the official press release, they go on about how they're delaying it because the game has been pirated, but at the end they state that the real reason is because they still need to add a few new features.

  • AZisBack

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 12:39 pm PT

    OXM trashed this game during their review. I'm glad they are going to try and make it better because I was looking forward to playing this game.

  • AZisBack

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 12:39 pm PT

    OXM trashed this game. I'm glad they are going to try and make it better because I was looking forward to this game.

  • werc96

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 11:59 am PT

    Um........................Ok? Great article. So much depth

  • jkzebrafish

    Posted Apr 9, 2008 11:57 am PT

    first! In a related story I suck.

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