Saturday, December 18, 2010

Check out "Wispin Lite"! It's FREE! (as a bird)


Wispin Lite is available here- allowing you to check out our premiere iPhone / iPod Touch game completely FREE!  Trying our game now costs you only the amount of exertion it takes to click a 'download' button!

Try it out today, spread the word if you can, and as always: let us know whatcha think!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Wispin Update v1.0.2 Released

New update (v1.0.2) released today!  Patch notes follow:
New in version 1.0.2:


- Further improved tilt and joystick controls! We are working hard to get these perfect, and we feel they are now more precise and responsive than ever before! Please continue to send constructive criticism and we'll continue to improve!

- Various bug fixes and cleanup
- New Facebook and Twitter score-sharing integration! On Game Over, look for the new buttons to quickly and easily post your scores online! It's always fun to brag, eh?
More coming soon! Our next planned update will be our first big 'content' update!
If you enjoy the game, please help our indie efforts by spreading the word and also reviewing the game on the app store. 
Visit our blog to contact us or follow our updates: grumpyfacestudios.blogspot.com 
Thanks to everyone for your wonderful feedback and support thusfar!
Hope you all enjoy!  (BTW: Look for the Part 3 in the Making Of blog series later this week.. sorry for the delay!) 

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Making of 'Wispin' or The Joys of At-Home iPhone Game Development (Part 2)


This is Part 2 of our blog series about the making of Wispin, our premiere game for iPhone and iPod Touch that recently landed in the Top 100 Overall Apps List.  Click here to check out Wispin on the App Store

Wispin moves thanks to lots of little 1s and 0s.. at least, I think that's how programming works.

Collaboration… Over The Interwebs? (cont.)

     The task of finding a programmer willing to work on a several-month long project for no initial pay (again, that “no budget” problem) seemed daunting at first… but I had a plan.  What if I developed the game on my own, to a point, and was able to show potential programmers what it was going to be like rather than only trying to explain the idea?  And I’m not just talking about concept sketches: I wanted to display polished screenshot mockups complete with User Interface, ready-to-go character animations, and finally a short clip of gameplay (hand-animated, of course).  I wanted to prove to my future partner in crime that I meant business and that, come hell or high water, this wouldn’t be one of those countless projects that never got off the ground or fell apart somewhere along the way.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

The Making of 'Wispin' or The Joys of At-Home iPhone Game Development (Part 1)

Wispin, our first game for the iPhone & iPod Touch, was released to the App Store on November 18th, 2010, and has recently climbed into the top 100 Overall Paid Apps.  Click here to check out the game on iTunes, currently on sale for $0.99


At-Home Game Development: Thank you, coffee.

    My first “I bet I could do that for a living!” moment was an exciting revelation, and the fact that it concerned my childhood obsession made it all the more powerful.  Ultimately it led to two things, with one being slightly more important than the other: becoming an indie game developer, and the writing of this blog post!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Wispin Update 1.0.1 Now Available!

Wispin 1.0.1 Update now available! Get it here:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wispin/id381527856?mt=8  


We've listened to the feedback provided so far and implemented the following changes and fixes:

- iPod Touch 4G Crashing issues resolved! Thanks for your patience!

- Screen will now orientation flip when flipping device 180 degrees!

- Joystick control option has been tweaked and improved - should feel tighter and less 'loose'!

- Tilt Calibration improved!

- Wispin "hitbox" adjustment, making it easier to hit enemies and reducing misses!

- Canyon and Super Intense Mode have been made less difficult and received adjusting enemy spawn rates. 

- Super Intense Mode has received various other tweaks to make it more enjoyable!

- Item spawn rates adjusted

- Various other bug fixes 'n such!

Thanks for your support! 
Keep the feedback a-comin'! feedback@grumpyfacestudios.com

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Wispin Out Now on App Store!

Get it while it's hot!!

Wispin out now! $0.99 Limited Time Launch Sale! CLICK HERE


Wispin Screenshot

Wispin Screenshot

Wispin Screenshot

Wispin Screenshot

Wispin Screenshot

Thanks so much for the support everyone, and we hope you enjoy the game!

And a stuffy ol' press release follows:


Grumpyface Studios Launches “Wispin”,  A Unique Take on the Color-Matching and Action Arcade Genres for iPhone & iPod Touch
PORTLAND, OR –

November 18th, 2010 --
New Portland-based Independent Developer, Grumpyface Studios, in Association with Blackmouth Studios, today launched their inaugural title for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch.  “Wispin” offers an unprecedented new game experience by combining traditional color-matching gameplay with the Action/Arcade genre.  Packed with features, the title boasts two endless gameplay modes, customizable play controls including “Tilt” or “Virtual Joystick” options, an in-depth playable tutorial to help ease new players into the game, special bonuses and powerups that mix up gameplay, Color Blindess Support, Left Handed support, and beautiful HD cartoon graphics that make great use of Apple’s new Retina Display.

By tilting the device (or using the virtual joystick option, if they so choose) players take control of the spunky Wispin, who must fight off the infestation of his colorful world by strange (yet undeniably cute) creatures known as Bloopers.  These pests come in a variety of distinct colors and can only be dispatched with matching color-coded magical attacks.  Luckily, Wispin is armed with the unique ability to change the color of his form, which players will accomplish by manipulating the innovative “Touch Color Wheel” controls.  Appearing similar to a traditional “virtual joystick”, players will slide their thumbs over the wheel’s colored sections to turn Wispin red, green, or blue on the fly.  Care must be taken, however, as Wispin will find himself susceptible to enemies and attacks that do not match his current color.  Special items are available to help Wispin face the Blooper infestation, including bombs, bows, multi-colored rainbow attacks, and even delicious pieces of cheese that draw in and trap enemies.  Players will also experience a unique arcade-styled “multiplier/combo system” that is triggered by matching streaks of same-colored enemies.

Two gameplay modes are available: “Standard Mode”, which allows players of all skill-levels to progress through the game as it slowly escalates and grows more challenging over time, and the unlockable, survival-based “Super Intense Mode” that features quick “pick up and play” action as Bloopers immediately fill the screen and endlessly assault Wispin.  Players will be able to compare their scores on the worldwide “Game Center” enabled Leaderboards, and also work toward unlocking over 15 creative and challenging Achievements. 

Chris Graham, Founder and Creative Director at Grumpyface, has announced the studio’s plans to continue work on the game past launch, offering free “content updates” containing new modes, levels, enemies, and items, as well as gameplay refinements and improvements.  Grumpyface happily welcomes all player suggestions and ideas at
feedback@grumpyfacestudios.com, and more information and media for Wispin can be found at http://www.wispingame.com


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Wispin Hands-On Impressions at TouchArcade.com!

TouchArcade.com has posted a wonderful Hands-On Look at Wispin!

"Wispin does something decidedly different from the norm, and ends up being a whole lot of fun because of it." ~ Jared Nelson, TouchArcade.com


We'd also like to take a moment to thank our amazing and thorough beta testers once again!  Stay tuned for more beta tests in the future (for both Wispin content updates as well as new titles!)

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Beta Time! Da na na na, na na na na!

Things have been awfully quiet lately as we've been busy toiling away... but I can assure you that some exciting stuff is just around the corner!  Be sure to check back before the end of the month when we'll (finally!) announce the official release date for Wispin!

In the mean time: if you've got some spare time and eager thumbs, why not participate in our short Wispin Beta Test?  Play for free, provide feedback, and help us make the game even spiffier!  Send an email to betas@grumpyfacestudios.com with your Device Type, OS Version, and UDID (Instructions for finding your UDID: http://bit.ly/cjAO22 )

We'll see ya soon!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Wispin Debut Gameplay Trailer! Woo hoo!

The Wispin Debut Trailer is here! Get your first look at gameplay for our upcoming iPhone / iPod Touch title! Yum!



Click for Full-Size HD Video

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Introducing: The Bloopers

Wispin’s world, colorful and charming as it may be, has a bit of a pest problem. Say hello to:



Now, don’t let the ooey-gooey cuteness fool you: these guys have absolutely no interest in being your BFF. As it turns out, Bloopers are quite determined to ruin your day and they each have their own idea on just how to go about it. They’re a bit single-minded in this regard… someone should really tell them to get a hobby.

You might have noticed that all Bloopers come in three different colors. This little fact has quite a significant effect on Wispin’s core gameplay... but more on that later! For now, let’s take a peek at this handsome lineup:

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

First screenshots of Wispin revealed!

Grumpyface Studios is proud to reveal the first screenshots of our premiere title for iPhone & iPod Touch!

WispinTM is a fast-paced arcade title featuring unique "color-based" gameplay. Use the innovative "Touch Color Wheel" to change the color of Wispin's aura on the fly and gain special immunities and offensive abilities! But beware, your choice of color contains weaknesses as well! Quick thinking will be needed to triumph over a quirky cast of enemy characters, each sporting unique attributes of their own...

Check back very soon for more information and media (including a gameplay trailer!), but for now feast your eyes on these bad boys:

Wispin - Coming soon to iPhone & iPod Touch!


Wispin Preview Screenshot 1

Wispin Preview Screenshot 1



For more visit www.grumpyfacestudios.com

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Grumpyface Studios official website launched!

Welcome to the official Grumpyface Studios website! Check back very soon for the first look at our premiere iPhone/iPod Touch game: WISPIN!