ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! - Nap
Hey everyone, we’re back (some might say… Back in the Groove!) with a brand new update for y’all!

We’ve been listening to everything you’ve been saying and decided to push forward with a few important changes that will begin to be rolled out at the end of this week called Update V1.3.0.


Update V1.3.0

The first big update in V1.3.0 is that Steam users who backed the game on Kickstarter will be able to unlock Peabo Remix and Lamont Surprise! We are working on adding these to consoles at a later date - these are fun little cosmetic additions we hope our backers enjoy! Check your emails if you bought those tiers or higher, as you’ll be getting a code to unlock the DLC through Steam.

Looking at our Canny, which you can find at: https://tjande.canny.io , we saw the most requested change was to improve the way Tomatoes and Slingshot are firing. Well, we did that! We think the new system works much better, but we want your feedback -- Once 1.3.0 rolls out be sure to let us know what you think of the new controls so we can get this absolutely jammin’!

We’re really excited to announce a brand new language option - European Spanish. Yep!

In our recent Switch update you may have noticed a few optimizations in the way the game loads and now handles, we hope you’ve been enjoying these changes but rest assured we’re not done yet. We’re going to continue to work on framerate on Switch until it gets to a really good place… perhaps even good enough for 4 player local in the future??

A big bug we fixed was that console local co-op game maps should no longer be broken with ‘Level 0’ stuck on top and no tiles being revealed.

That’s all for now! Huh.. there’s more? Oh yeah… are you ready… to speed up… a certain character’s… dialogue… on a hidden level? Well without spoiling it for those of you who haven’t found it, we’re going to be decreasing the speech bubbles for this character so the end game won’t go into super overtime.

We got a bunch of smaller things coming in, updates to the credits with some names we missed, fixes to the manual (if you see any more typos let us know, PLEASE!), fixes to the way achievements and the game title are displayed on console, updating the achievement text in German for PS4 and Xbox One, not being able to start a game on Toddler/Easy Farty on the PC version, a nerf to the secret Golden “Funky” Mailbox, disable presents being opened in the Hot Tub which was causing some issues, lowered a few sounds that were too loud, and reduced the rumble on the Switch version.

*phew* Well that should be all for the upcoming patch.


Be sure to let us know what you think about it once it rolls out! After that, we’ll begin working on v1.4!



Physical Editions

We have started ordering the different elements for the IndieBox PC version and have begun finalizing numbers and pieces for Limited Run Games.

The plan is to ship the games starting in May, once v1.4 is finished and complete - this will include a variety of fixes that improve the game vastly over the launch version, as well as a few new surprises ;)

We know people are eager to get their hands on these right away, but we want to make sure we give you the very best product before we ship the game -- we know that digital distribution may not be around forever, and so if you’re going to be going back to the game in 10 or 20 years, we want to make sure we get all the bugs fixed and it's the most solid product it can be.

We’ll be allowing people to update their address one last time on backerkit and we’re excited to get these into your hands soon!


ToeJam & Earl’s Super Funky Telethon



Yo! ToeJam & Earl’s Super Funky Telethon is going to be LIVE and in your house on May 26th on Twitch -- filled with your homies ToeJam & Earl, super cool celebrity guests and much more!! Be sure to tune in for all sorts of prizes and mayhem. Well what about it?

More info to come about this telethon - we have lots of big surprises! Just make sure you mark your calendar for May 26th.. Yo!

During ToeJam & Earl’s Super Funky Telethon, we will be doing a ONE DAY FINAL purchase for our Limited Run Games physical edition for those of you that opened a school book and snoozed through the last preorder.

SO WAKE UP… WAKE UP… WAAAAAAKE UUUUP and make sure you catch it before it’s gone!



Thanks for making the launch a success!

We had a killer first month, shipping over 50,000 copies digitally! Thank you so much for your support and love and helping revive ToeJam & Earl. It means the world to us.

We still need help getting to our 150,000 copy “break-even” mark, so please consider telling a friend about our game! With the upcoming improvements, telethon and your support, we know we can get there!



Housekeeping

We are still working hard to make this game all it can be, you can help by submitting bugs and voting on the most important improvements you wanna see on our Canny at: https://tjande.canny.io/

https://www.instagram.com/toejamandearlart/ - be sure to drop a follow or just swing by to peep all the crazy dope artwork all our fans have been creating. Feel free to submit all artwork to us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/toejamandearl where we will ALWAYS retweet your submissions then add them to the Instagram.

As always don’t forget to tune into our streams every Tuesday and Friday at 4PM PST/7PM EST at: https://www.twitch.tv/toejam_earl where we are super close to hitting 1,500 followers and do tons of giveaways as well as a chance to chat directly with the devs and ask your questions! Maybe we will do something cool for our 2,000 follower milestone.

Be sure to join our community Discord and chill out with all the fans: https://discord.gg/GNjXpxS

Also don’t forget we have Pins and a new T-shirt over at The Yetee

https://theyetee.com/collections/toejam-and-earl

Tell your friends about our game so we can keep making cool stuff! YAY!

Mar 26, 2019
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! - digivolution
Build: tje_1_2_3
==============================
[internal]fix cmd error in JNetworkPlayer::SetSand and JNetworkPlayer::SetDeepSnow
move around some elevator code to get level streaming to happen after the lift off sequence
[PS4/XB1] fixes for PS4 and XB1 trophy/achievement unlocks when resetting in-game
[internal] Fix achievement manager up
[PS4/Switch] Potential friends search fix making them not public anymore.
Fix for online infinite RM game
Speculative fix for infinite ship prize spin by removing "XP and Spin" prize from the ship spinner
increase texture size on memorial wall and AS credits-planet
fix falling for client causing no overlays to appear
Khalil Laltoo back in credits
(Needs testing on console): Fix GetEmAll achievement
better Steam Achievement integration
Gotta pop em all, achieveable
Only count earthling pops as tomato pops. Everything else doesnt count. Makes pacifist victory easier.
Fix amped mystery present exploit
Fix Amp5 sharing exploit
Fix long loading screen in non-network games (network games probably need it still)
Fix DisableMovies for linux and for command line args
[internal] Replace old trello key with one with way less permissions
Update steam icon
Reduce volume of two piercing-sounding sfx
[internal] fix line endings in PS4MatchMakingManager
"After" is no longer a bad word (came from german)
tsvInkTemplateToLang supports non-sequential key,value pairs in google sheets
Update text


Launch/Sales Data

Launch was good. Good reviews, def some bugs but we’re working hard to squish them all.

As of right now, we can only give general sales data, but we can say that physical and digital combined, we’re at over 25,000 units sold on Switch,12,000 on steam and PS4 each, and around 5,500 on Xbox, for a total of around 53,500 units sold between presales and launch. So far so good!

As we’ve mentioned before, we need to sell around 150,000 lifetime to break even as we do have money that needs to get paid back (this game was in development for a long time!), so we have a little way to go, but that’s a great start and we think if we can keep momentum rocking, we can do this!

Platform Availability of Updates

As of writing, here is where the current platforms are with build numbers -- we’re trying to keep things as in parity as possible, but some certification processes take longer than normal

PS4 -- 1.2.3

Steam - 1.2.3

Switch -- 1.1.2 (1.2.3 on Thursday)


Xbox One -- 1.2.2 (working on 1.2.3)




Lamont/Peabo Surprise

So we’ve been pretty tight lipped about Peabo and Lamont stuff but we’re finally ready to reveal what these two bad boys are!

First, Peabo’s Surprise is the ability to dance on command! You activate this by the Quick Chat menu and select ‘Dance’. When this happens all the trees and bushes around you will dance as well (similar to what happens when you open a Boom Box). We can’t wait to see y’all bust some funky moves in front of the Wiseman after you just went on a popping spree with the Slingshot!

And now for the Funkopotamus himself - Lamont’s Surprise! This is a super cool Lamont costume head piece that all the Funkotronians can wear! While wearing the Lamont head you will also get some special dialogue that unlocks while wearing it. This functions similarly to ‘Earthling Disguise’ where you can still wear your Power Hats under it. Can you fool those silly Earthlings into thinking that the great Funkopotamus is chillin’ on Earth?

We are aware that some of these may be sought after by those of you who didn’t back to unlock them. We are considering giving these rewards away to contest winners and outstanding/active members of the community. Stay tuned for more info on that!


Road Map

Willie hears ya, and Willie DOES care. We love all the feedback and bug reports that have been coming in, KEEP IT UP!

If you spot something that doesn’t feel right feel free to shoot us an email at bugs@humanaturestudios.com and we will do our best to address it. We also have a Canny set up over at: https://tjande.canny.io/ where you guys can upvote the most common bugs or most requested features and those will be the ones we prioritize. Also - as always feel free to join our Discord and discuss these feedback and bugs reports here: https://discord.gg/4TuKvgT

Also you may have noticed we rolled an update out on Steam that was causing some crashes. We apologize for any inconvenience this caused and we worked quickly at reverting it to the previous version. This was because a Unity update caused some wonkiness in our build and Dark Levels were crashing for a high number of players. Going forward we are considering adding an Update Test Branch to Steam so we can test updates a bit before rolling them out to everyone.

Aside from fixing the Dark Levels, we have many other fixes we are looking into. Such as a number of issues on Switch where players are experiencing crashes when using the Elevator online, inconsistencies when loading previous saves, and increasing the performance in split screen multiplayer.

We are also considering limiting how far players can actually fall down levels in multiplayer so that there will be less stability issues across the board. By making it so that players can’t fall more than 1 or 2 levels, there will be less levels loading in and should result in an increase in framerate. Let us know what you think about this idea in the comments.

There are a number of manual fixes coming as well, but if you see a typo or anything wrong be sure to let us know so we can get this thing perfect for y’all before we print it for our physical collectors.

There are also some smaller (although very frustrating) fixes coming like the map not working in multiplayer by always showing ‘Level 0’ and no tiles being revealed. Problems with Swap Bodies and the Secret Level causing sounds to disappear. If there is anything you think should be given priority be sure to mention it in the bugs@humanaturestudios.com email or the Canny/Discord links mentioned above. We’re gonna do our best to make this game perfect for you, thanks for your patience on this journey.

Limited Run/KS Special Editions

Don’t forget you only have about 5 days left to place a preorder for our Switch or PS4 Physical editions! We’re going to do a VERY special stream on the last day, we’re really excited to have more info about that soon.

Additionally, we’ll have more info on the KS boxes soon -- we’re finalizing all the items that are going into them, and we’ll have a post specifically focused on that after PAX East.

PS -- We’ll be at PAX east!


Instagram/Socials

Thanks for all the love your showing our funky aliens! We have decided to share all our artwork on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/toejamandearlart/ - be sure to drop a follow or just swing by to peep all the crazy dope artwork all our fans have been creating.
Feel free to submit all artwork to us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/toejamandearl where we will ALWAYS retweet your submissions then add them to the Instagram.

As always don’t forget to tune into our streams every Tuesday and Friday at 4PM PST/7PM EST at: https://www.twitch.tv/toejam_earl where we are super close to hitting 1,500 followers and do tons of giveaways as well as a chance to chat directly with the devs and ask your questions! Maybe we will do something cool for our 2,000 follower milestone.

Be sure to join our community Discord and chill out with all the fans: https://discord.gg/GNjXpxS


-------

PHEW! Wow!

Thanks for reading -- have any issues? Email us at whatever@humanaturestudios.com -- we wanna talk to you!

Thank you so much for all your support so far, believing in the game when it was just an idea, and sticking with us through the rough patches.. We think this is just the beginning and we’re eager to keep doing cool stuff with the boyz and you!
<3
HumaNature Studios
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! - digivolution
Build: tje_1_2_2
==============================
Fix powerhat presentskill and regen speech bubble staying up on network
fix HFZ goober achievement not unlocking in worlds other than tutorial
Fix Steam achievements only unlocking when the game closes. Steam achievements now unlock on Steam in-sync with the in-game ones
Fix Elevator lift-off sequence framedrops (hidden behind elevator sequence)
Hopefully fix infinite hfz looping
Fix unlocking "visit all backers" achievement
Fix unlocking "worst possible luck" with non-mystery versions of Total Bummer, Instant Demotion and Major Randomizer
Magic togetherness go only in multiplayer
Rebooting goes right to main menu, skips intro AND company bumps
prevent rare occurence of corrupted saves
Fix saves getting deleted on clients
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (John Walker)

I never played Toejam & Earl in 1991. I didn’t own a Mega Drive, and my friends with one never had it. And, children, in 1991 we didn t have a The Internet in our houses back then, not even a bit. So I grew up in a world where it simply didn t exist. Playing this revival of the series – Toejam & Earl: Back In The Groove – almost incomprehensible in its strangeness, I m a bit sad that was the case.

There was a 1993 sequel, also on Mega Drive, and then almost a decade later, peculiarly, an Xbox only release in 2002. I didn t have an Xbox either. It s been a game of cat and mouse. I didn t even notice that Sega released both the first two games on Steam in 2012. But now, at last, we are united. Gosh, it s odd. It s definitely not very good.

(more…)

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Alice O'Connor)

90s-as-heck aliens ToeJam and Earl have returned in ToeJam & Earl: Back In The Groove, one of the more surprising fruits of the recent retro revival crowdfunding craze. The designer of ye olde original ToeJam & Earl from Sega Mega Drive in 1991, Greg Johnson, took this follow-up through Kickstarter in 2015 and now it launched this morning. TJ&E is… a roguelikelike actually inspired by Rogue, except it doesn’t have much fighting, and you collect loads of random items with weird effects, and it’s funny, and it’s silly, and it has hot jams, and it still can’t be easily compared to another game after 28 years, which speaks to how curious it is.

(more…)

Feb 28, 2019
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! - digivolution
We're here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! - digivolution
Yo!

Guess what Earthlings? We’re coming to your consoles and computers this week on March 1st!




**BACKER STUFF**

WHEN AM I GETTING MY CODE (for backers)


Codes to backers will be out by Noon PST on Friday! They’ll be sent out via email shortly before they go live in the stores and they’ll have instructions on how to redeem them. Make sure you pay attention to the email address that you used for your BackerKit/Kickstarter and if you need any help or are having any issues please reach out to support@humanaturestudios.com.


KS Exclusive Special Edition (for backers)
During the month of March we’ll be debuting the IndieBox contents, and final box art for those of you who got the Kickstarter box set! Since the box won’t be ready for shipping on 3/1, we’re making sure that anyone getting one will also be getting an extra Steam key on March 1st, so you can hop right in. Excited to show you all the goodies soon!

Peabo Special & Lamont Surprise (for backers)

For those of you who got the “Peabo/Lamont surprise” from the Kickstarter, please be aware that this will be a PC-only DLC, and will go out in the next few weeks after launch. Those will be going out by email the same way that the codes will be! We will have more info about this soon, we really wanted to get it in by launch but there were a few small things we need to tweak and test…stay tuned!


**BACKER STUFF END**



Get your physical edition on PS4 and Switch!



Get your physical version of the Switch/PS4 game over at Limited Run before the end of March! Please be aware that we do not have access to these at all, so if you want them the only way to get one is to head over to this link: https://limitedrungames.com/collections/toejam-earl




Special Celebrity Guest Producer Announcement & New Trailers Launching This Week!



Wowee!!!!!! Who could it be??? Announcement coming right before launch, probably.






Join us on ToeJam & Earl Tuesdays, especially on the 26th, for prizes, gameplay and fun!


Greg will be joining this week! twitch.tv/toejam_earl -- starts at 4 PM PST







Don’t forget that if you have any issues at all, just email support@humanaturestudios.com and we’ll get you taken care of!

Lots of funky love,

Your Boys




PS: Please consider wishlisting us, or telling your pals to! More pals playing, more people to play online with!



Thankz



ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! - digivolution
don't forget Collector's Edition and Physical Edition go on sale on PS4 and Switch TOMORROW at 7PST/10EST yooo!!!!!!!!!!



Game comes out on all platforms in March 1st... 14 days! What are you most excited for funky earth friends???

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! - digivolution
Yo!

Our game is launching on Steam (and all platforms) on march 1!

On Computer, you get up to 4-player local, 4 player online, and level-below, making you the coolest kid on the block.

- Wanna get the physical edition on PS4/Switch? It launches on Limited Run Games on Friday! Check it out!





We can't wait to show you what we've been working on these past... 4 YEARS?!??!

- Follow us @toejamandearl on twitter, join our twice-weekly stream at twitch.tv/toejam_earl at 4PST to check out the game, and hit us up at whatever@humanaturestudios.com if you have any issues!

- Check out this silly 90's ad we did.. will Rio EVER get to play? *yes in 15 days* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud5-q9XX-Yc


Anyhoo, coming in 2 weeks -- really excited to show you all ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! :burgzone:

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! - digivolution
Yo!



We haven't been very good at updating you all here on Steam, but that's going to change as of right... now! Wow! Why? Cuz we have a final release date we're 100% locked on -- March 1!.

We're so excited to show you what we've been working on and thank you for your unlimited patience and love. The final product is going to be something we're really proud of and not one we rushed to hit a deadline without making sure everything is the way we want it to be. More info to come, but.. stay hyped and wishlist us if you haven't! :D

Some more news:

Guess what! We have a contest going on where YOU can win a PS4 and way more! Going on on twitter right now! Follow @toejamandearl and RT to win! https://twitter.com/toejamandearl/status/1076157850945183745

A few weeks ago we debuted a new animated trailer for ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove at the Kinda Funny Games Showcase. We hope some of you were able to catch the live stream! We were in great company, with many phenomenal indie games showing off new trailers of their own!

For those who weren't able to tune in, here is a video of our portion. What? WOAH! A wild Freddie Prinze Jr. appears! It's very effective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGXRDRax6Gw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVI8BPPCMvg


ALSO this month, CNet unveiled a fun video interview and retrospective with Greg about ToeJam & Earl for their new show "So Retro".

Take a look!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUbALuQBRy0



And finally, Back in the Groove is now LIVE for pre-order on PS4 & Nintendo Switch. Got family? Got friends? Got a dog who somehow has a job and can guy their own video games? Do us a favor and let them know about these pre-order options.

---> Switch Pre-orders

---> PS4 Pre-orders

We've run into some technical hurdles with EU switch pre-orders but they are on the way. And Xbox One pre-orders are not too far off either!

As always, thank you all for your wonderful support. We're in the homestretch now and we can't wait for you all to get Back in the Groove!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rPHMw5F-GU


TLDR:

If you're a backer, you have until Jan 8 to update your survey if you don't want a steam code (HAH) or want to update your KS limited edition physical edition address

Game come March 1 - We think it'll be p good

Follow on @toejamandearl on twitter to see us say dumb stuff

- TJ & E :sans:
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