Wedy here with an important announcement; Update v1.02 is now live, but what does that entail? Well, let me tell you...
New Features
Skip Scene - You can now skip a scene from the pause menu during Story Mode.
Restart Race - You can now restart a race in any mode.
Skipping dialogue - You now no longer need to wait for the audio clip to finish before progressing dialogue.
Gameplay Changes
Getting Up - Contestants will now get up much faster when having ragdolled, there fore it is now easier to get back into the race after a fall.
Harder Heads - Hitting your head is less likely to result in being knocked out.
AI navigation - AI is now far less likely to get stuck.
AI difficulty - AI skills is now more adaptive to the player's skill level.
Fixes:
Snuguru 25% - The story should now progress beyond chapter 14 for Snuguru
Story loading hangs - We're still working on this but recent changes should help, please let us know if they don't work for you!
Other:
Unofficial LINUX support - We have built and pushed a LINUX version but we are unable to officially support this, if the game does not work for you on LINUX please make use of STEAM's refund feature, however, it may be fine!
So that's all for now folks.
I’ve been Wedy Jones.
Keep it Real, Keep it Nippon.
P.S. Happy New Year!
Update Imminent: Details here!
Wedy here,
Firstly the developers would like to thank everyone who has brought the game so far, they really that hope you enjoy it and continue to support us!
That being said, they’ve been listening to general feedback on the game, plus a few bugs have decided to rear their nasty head.
So in the next update the following issues will be addressed:
Story Mode skip dialogue feature will be added.
Story Mode skip scene feature will be added.
Story/Versus Modes restart race will be added.
The difficulty of the AI in both Story and Versus mode will be reduced.
Snuguru Maestro’s story will no longer get stuck at chapter 14
General loading issues will be checked.
I’ll make sure to be the first one to report of these changes when they go live!
So that’s all for now folks!
I’ve been Wedy Jones.
Keep it Real, Keep it Nippon.
Nippon Marathon is out now and ready to party!
Developer Onion Soup Interactive and PQube are excited to announce that Nippon Marathon is now available on Steam and out of Early Access!
The physics-heavy racer is the ultimate tribute to Japanese game shows, including everything from crazy competitors to collapsing courses, mad minigames, and the perfect J-pop soundtrack.
Nippon Marathon - billed as Micro Machines meets Takeshi’s Castle - is a hell for leather race across Japan and finally out! Slip into your Narwhal Onesie, Lobster Suit, School Uniform or… er… dog body and charge through locations across Japan!
The local multiplayer mode is the best way to embrace the madness that is Nippon Marathon! Gather your friends on the couch (or Tatami) and watch them fly head-first into stacks of boxes, ride uncontrollable shopping carts down a giant bowling alley and finally find out what it feels like to run full speed into a wooden wall that you thought was made of paper! However, if you want to train for your next race, the AI will make for great sparring partners in both Story Mode and Versus Mode.
Stay at the front of the pack to make your competitors disappear at the end of the screen and gain stars - then the race resets to the last checkpoint until the finish line where the racer with the most stars wins!
Easy, right? Absolutely, if it weren't for throwable fruits, shopping carts, inflatable pineapples, collapsing tracks, clingy Shiba Inus, watermelon rains, and many more hilarious hazards!
Last call: Special Early Access offer ends soon!
Hey everyone! Wedy here, hoping you and your Shiba Inus are well.
Today's update is going to be a quick but important one!
If you have not joined our hilarious Early Access adventure, you don't have much time left! The game is closer to the final version than ever before, still available at the discounted Early Access price and will upgrade to the full game once it releases on December 17th!
Therefore, check Nippon Marathon off your and your friend's wishlist today!
Thank you very much for your support so far, I hope you are looking forward to the launch as much as I am!
This was Wedy Jones.
Keep it real. Keep it Nippon.
LEVEL 7 & STORY MODE DEMO NOW AVAILABLE!
Wedy here and have I got news for you. ..The long awaited level 7 and story mode demo are here!
So lets not waste any time and crack on with the juicy scoop.
LEVEL 7: JINKO EKI STATION
So far the Nippon Marathon has taken you through quite the sightseeing tour of PLANET NIPPON; we’ve travelled from the banks of KAWA RIVER to the steamy Mountains of YAMA-DORI. With the marathon reaching the final stages, grab your giant foam finger and your briefcase as we’re heading straight into the heart of NEO-JINKO.
EXPECT NEW SURPRISES
As the trains in PLANET NIPPON run on time it’s often the case that the Bullet Train will leave early forcing you to drop all of your luggage and leap onto the roof of the train (it happens, we swear). This is where level 7 begins.
Expect the usual Nippon Marathon madness plus a few extra surprises, such as the soundtrack to the level being called “Kobe Beefed Up” and the term “Bull-Train”. Are you confused? Me too!
The madness doesn’t stop there. When you arrive at the station be prepared to be scared and confused from the bright lights and hundreds of salarymen. They’re everywhere.
With JINKO EKI STATION being one of the largest stations in PLANET NIPPON expect to knock over and bump into Salarymen on their way to and from work, but don’t worry. They’re used to it, and it’s actually encouraged!
Outside JINKO EKI STATION you may recognise the statue of TEISHU, a Shiba Inu with great business sense and a huge following of his own. Unfortunately you won’t have time to show your respect for him as you have the busiest intersection in the world to cross so grab a pineapple for that second wind to the finish line.
Level 7 gives you a taste of the final race NEO JINKO, but we can’t release that without giving away a HUGE STORY SPOILER, so I can say no more.
STORY MODE:
I know what you’re all thinking, what exactly is story mode?
PLANET NIPPON loves visual novels and manga, so that’s exactly what Story Mode is. A visual novel, but with a difference.
Story Mode allows you to choose and follow the journey of the four main characters from pre-Nippon Marathon to post-Nippon Marathon.
Each story lasts around two hours to complete and don’t think you’re just reading a visual novel for two hours, you have to race too! Remember to read my Wedy Guides to learn more about popularity as it’s even more important to be popular in Story - it can move you from 3rd place to 1st.
The story follows a general theme but is personalised for each character; so expect to learn why Zenbei “XEN BAE” has two names, who exactly is Nishibori, why J DARWIN wears a lobster suit and why Snuguru Maestro has a love of watermelons.
You’ll also be introduced to the boss characters as well as a few new faces, like my colleague NNBC Anchorman Abe Watanabe. As the story develops you’ll see the truth behind the Nippon Marathon and just why Handsome Hazuki is the contestant to beat. You’ll also see more of me, Wedy! I play a part too, and quite a big one!
In early access you can play the first 13 chapters of Snuguru Maestro’s story to give you a taste of what’s to come when the full story mode is unlocked on full release.
IN OTHER NEWS
There have also been some changes to the general gameplay:
Achievements have been reenabled
Me (Wedy) now appearing in the character selection screen - but how do you unlock me (Wedy)?
Fixed spawning issue where characters would spawn after finish line.
No longer eliminated if 1st player gets too far ahead in the levels.
General optimisation increased for smoother gameplay.
So for now I hope you enjoy playing EKI JINKO STATION & Snuguru Maestro’s story.
You won’t be disappointed.
So that’s all for now folks.
I’ve been Wedy Jones.
Keep it real. Keep it Nippon.
Story Mode Preview: Pass Me My Reading Glasses
Wedy here but you knew that already.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
The developers would firstly like to apologise for the lack of communication over the past couple of months; development of the game has completely taken over. I managed to grab an exclusive interview with one of the developers Buster regarding how development is going.
Oh dear, oh dear. After the interview, Buster sitting in an averagely sized lower visual quality puddle of tears did inform me that it will all be worth it when the game is released.
HANG IN THERE DEVELOPERS! You can do it!
STORY MODE
So with that covered let me bring you another exclusive… Story Mode.
Story Mode has been covered in mystery until now. I was able to steal, erm I mean borrow a copy of Story Mode when Buster was wiping away the tears and now can show it to you guys! Exciting!
So lets start with the basics.
STORY BASICS
There are four stories, one for each character, allowing you to follow their journey from pre-Nippon Marathon to post-Nippon Marathon Champion. Don’t forget to bring your running shoes as you’ll have to run each race from the Nippon Marathon that you’re all familiar with.
Each story lasts approx two hours and if you play all four stories that’s a whole EIGHT hours of story action alone! Don’t think you have to complete the story in one marathon sitting either (we won’t judge if you do), the game will save progress automatically so you can quit and continue story at your own leisure.
I know what you’re thinking, so I’ve completed Darwin’s story so I don’t need to complete the others right?
Well think again.
Each character perspective will merge together to bring you the ULTIMATE NIPPON MARATHON experience. I remember seeing something similar on The Simpsons, the “Trilogy of Error” episode I think it was?
So Wedy fans, erm I mean Nippon Marathon fans let me show you what story is all about.
Unfortunately story will not be playable on early access until closer to the full release date (Winter 2018).
OTHER NEWS
Whilst stealing, erm I mean borrowing Story Mode I overheard a phone conversation between developers how JINKO EKI STATION (level 7) is due to be released on Steam Early access by the end of next week.
Oh before I go remember that Nippon Marathon is at EGX in Birmingham this weekend so if you’re going make sure to check out the game on PQube’s stand.
I’ve been Wedy Jones,
Keep it Real, Keep it Nippon
Level 7 Preview: Trains, Trains, Trains, Bulls?
Wedy here and we have some EXCITING information to share with you on our next Versus Mode course… JINKO EKI STATION.
Why don't we see what ABE WATANABE from Nippon News Broadcasting Concern has to say about this brand new course?
Great! So back to the course.
JINKO EKI STATION
So, in this course the contestants will start off on top of a speeding Bullet Train heading from YAMA DORI (where the Steamy Monkeys live) all the way to the busiest train station -
JINKO EKI STATION.
Expect there to be daring jumps, insta-kill falls and even.... a herd of bulls?
Don't expect the madness to calm down when you reach the station, those salarymen are everywhere... and where did I put my train pass? I can't get through the ticket gates without my Railway Jasmine (RJ) Pass!!!
I asked the developers for their thoughts on the course:
Unfortunately JINKO EKI STATION won't be available to play until closer to release so stay tuned fore more updates.
UPCOMING UPDATES
Rumour has it that a preview of Story Mode and the elusive Level 8 (NEO JINKO) will be available soon. My sources reveal that something FISHY is happening... Maybe they're preparing some exquisite salmon persimmon leaf sushi for me and the contestants... Hold on... But I'm allergic to Salmon...
Well, that sure was interesting, wasn't it viewers?!
I've been Wedy Jones.
Keep it Real. Keep it Nippon.
Update - Version 0751: Fruit, Mazes & a Speed Increase of 25?
Wedy here with an update for all you Nippon fans! With game development rapidly approaching the finishing line, the developers have released what can only be described as
"The Update To Beat All Updates!"
So what does this update include I hear you cry? Well let me tell you...
GAME MODIFIERS:
Game Modifiers are now in stock! Purchase them from the In-Game Store and enable them from the Options Menu.
Turbo Mode On! Not for the faint of heart, this mode is fast, furious and down right frantic. Turn this bad boy on and Versus Modes will increase in speed by 25%.
Minigames Off! What, you want to turn me off? How dare you! You... you... MONSTER! Seriously though, I could do with a lie down in a dark room so don't mind me.
Item Config! Wanna play bananas only? Well you can, you can also play melons only, pineapples only, mushrooms only or even choose no items at all.
Here's a tip: Turbo Mode + Minigames Off + No Items is a real test of skill for you and your virulent compadres.
DROP OUT:
There used to be a nightclub called Dropout near where I grew up, it attracted the very people you would expect - QUITTERS! So, we've added a drop-out feature - players 2, 3 and 4 can now pause the menu and give up on life should they wish. Typical!
ENHANCED PHYSICS:
There's been some improvements to the player reactions to the environment. Tumbles, crashes and falls are now more realistic and glitches should be less frequent however mistakes will now lead to more amusing ragdoll moments.
DR. DE JONG'S PURPLE MAZE:
I'm not going to say much about this, instead I shall leave you with this screenshot which won't clarify anything at all.
CONTROLLER CONFIG CHANGES NOW BEING SAVED:
The title says it all, your custom control scheme will now be saved, including assignments for players, buttons... everything! Yay!
CPU CHARACTERS:
Versus Modes against CPU opponents now include the four boss characters. What happens when Hazuki and Hideko face off? Will they have a tiff? Juicy!
NEW SUDDEN DEATH:
Elimination by shiba inu. That is all. Actually it isn't, there's also been improvements to the melon based sudden death too, my oh my you're so spoiled!
BETTER MELON BEHAVIOUR:
Nippon melons are the best melons, you know why? Because they explode! However we've made them a little less accurate so that the leader doesn't get 'blue shell syndrome' and need hospitalising.
YEN FROM PARTY GAMES:
You can now earn Yen from playing GO-GO-TROLLEY BOWLING and LOBSTER MODE, hurrah!
So that's all for now folks,
Keep your eyes, ears and noses peeled for more updates regarding all things Nippon on my
Twitter Page, and who knows I may even get to release EXCLUSIVE sneak peeks at the upcoming NEO JINKO prefecture and on the somewhat elusive STORY MODE!
I've been Wedy Jones,
Keep it Real, Keep it Nippon!
Controller Assignment Fixed!
Hot News! Controller Assignment Fixed!
Wedy Jones here with a morsel of juicy info for you. If you've been struggling to get controllers and keyboards assigned properly then you definitely wanna check this out!
The developers of Nippon Marathon just sent me these patch notes:
V0.662 Notes - When using the controller mapping feature in the options menu you are now able to assign controllers to players properly. The keyboard will always remain as P1, so if you want to play multiplayer with one person on keyboard just ensure that controllers are assigned to P2, P3 and P4 and the controller mapping menu can now be navigated using keyboard, gamepad and mouse.
The developers then went on to say:
"We'll continue to improve this area of the game so please leave feedback."
I've been Wedy Jones.
Keep it real, keep it Nippon!
An update that's, wait for it... WHEELY GOOD FUN!
Wedy here!
Some people like bird watching.
Some people like a lazy Sunday afternoon drive.
Some people like to throw themselves into a trolley, and smash head-first into man-sized bowling pins!
Me? I'm a strictly 'face off' kinda girl when it comes to neck-breaking hilarity.
You? You're going to LOVE IT!
That's right viewers, Go-Go Trolley Bowling is here! Say 'no' to flat cola and soggy nachos, and say 'hello' to yet another session of multiplayer hilarity!
THE RULES!
1/ Phone your friends for some 2-8 player action (snacks optional).
2/ Choose from 5 to 10 frames depending on your preferred game-time!
3/ Turn based action ahoy! Stand back and watch your friends humiliate themselves, one after the other!
THE AGONY!
1/ Set your trolley/shopping cart's position - aim for a strike!
2/ Take a running jump into the trolley - graceful this is not, folks!
3/ Wince as you career towards random hazards appearing between frames - from ramps, paper doors, disco balls, carp and (of course!) shiba inu!
4/ Hope for some high-scoring points potential.
5/ Pray you don't end up in Accident and Emergency.
As they say, it's not the winning that counts, but the bone-shattering idiocy of how you lost, that's important!
