Previews are starting to hit, and people are really digging it! Here’s the buzz so far:

Pocket Gamer
“With a few months between now and its early 2011 release, this highly promising game is destined to only get better as independent developer 11-bit Studios lavishes it with polish.”

Rock, Paper, Shotgun
“Despite the sluggish pace of your units, the pace of the game itself is relentless. You’re constantly weaving your commander back and forth, dropping sandstorms and decoys, repairing your units the moment before they’re flattened by an energy beam, and bringing up the tactical map just before your team reach a T-junction to make sure the team travels down the less painful-looking road.”

NowGamer
“If you’re at all interested in strategy games or fans of Indie developers, then this is very much a title you should be looking out for early next year.”

GameSpot
“11 Bit Studios is pushing replayability with new objectives for completed missions and leaderboard support. There’s even a combo system that will reward you for defeating strings of enemies in a timely manner. Anomaly is clearly taking a creative approach to the usual tower defense formula.”

That’s just the beginning, folks! For more info about Anomaly: Warzone Earth, hit up http://www.anomalythegame.com and follow 11 bit studios on Twitter or Facebook! And, of course, just keep reading this site.

Industry Veterans Launch 11 bit studios

Team Comprised of Former Metropolis Software/CD Projekt Developers Focusing on High-Value, High-Quality, Digitally-Distributed Titles

October 7, 2010 – Warsaw, Poland. The formation of 11 bit studios, a Warsaw-based video game developer, was announced today in the Polish capital. Founded by former Metropolis Software/CD Projekt Group staff who’ve set out to carve their own place in the games industry in an independent studio, 11 bit will focus on high-value, high-quality, digitally-distributed games.

The team, which has produced games for major publishers including Ubisoft, Atari, Interplay and Monolith, aims to deliver unique and pioneering gameplay experiences for a wide range of platforms, including PC, iPhone, iPad and more. 11 bit’s first title will be unveiled next week.

“The games industry is constantly changing, and there is a tremendous opportunity for independent developers to succeed and to push the boundaries of gameplay on digital platforms,” said Grzegorz Miechowski, Managing Director of 11 bit studios. “We’re going to create games that introduce unique gameplay mechanics, carry high production values and are, most importantly, fun for both hardcore gamers and more casual players.”

For more information, visit http://www.11bitstudios.com and follow the studio on Twitter (@11bitstudios) and Facebook.

Keeping with the tradition of highly frequent blog updates, here’s another highly frequent blog update! I’m heading to San Francisco tomorrow for the illustrious Game Developers Conference, a show that brings together loads of game-industry folks and those who would someday very much like to be game-industry folks for a few days of panels, lectures, workshops, drinking and drinking. It’s going to be great to catch up with some of the journalistic types I haven’t seen in a long time.

This year’s a bit different than in the past: I’m not actually being paid to go there! Instead, I’m heading down solely to fulfill my own selfish desires: yell at people in the halls to tell them how awesome Empire Avenue is; throw some free-game codes for GOG.com around like they’re going out of style (which they’re not); go hang out at the Paradox suite to mooch whatever freebies I can; and to try and drum up some more business for Evolve PR. That last one’s kind of an interesting one.

I have to admit that I’ve been ridiculously (perhaps even ridonkulously) busy lately. The prospect of bringing on even more business kind of makes me cry. But I do have a big, evil, master plan: I’m also going to spend my time trying to find someone to help out. That’s right — Evolve is expanding. I’ve got a few folks in mind, but really, if you happen to read this, are a highly experienced PR/marketing rep in the games industry, and will be in San Francisco this week, shoot me an email or tackle me on the street. Alternatively, if you’re a PR Director, VP of Marketing or whatever else, be sure to wear your best shoulder pads, because there’s a good chance I’ll knock you over and throw a business card in your face. It may not be the most effective bizdev tactic, but I’m not about to actually… you know… set up meetings, print out all sorts of fancy brochures, perfect a sales pitch and try to woo you with my eloquence. That shit’s so 1996.

I hope to actually do some blog updates from SF, as I should have plenty of time on my hands…. again, my highly effective business-development practices don’t take a lot of time… but if I don’t, try not to miss me too much.

I’m hoping to extend my streak of success with awesome PC-game developers — having thoroughly loved working with CD Projekt RED (The Witcher) and Stardock (Sins of a Solar Empire, Galactic Civilizations II) — as I announce the addition of Paradox Interactive to the Evolve family of clients. Join me in welcoming these wonderful Swedes to our intentionally small roster!

This project will once again allow me to flex my community-outreach muscle (eww, gross), as it’s no standard “here, promote this full-priced boxed game” deal — I’m working on two community-driven projects aimed squarely at the company’s devoted fanbase of strategy gamers. For the Glory and Arsenal of Democracy are uber-mods for Europa Universalis II (yes, II, not III) and Hearts of Iron II, respectively, that Paradox is going to publish through their GamersGate service. I love to see devs and publishers supporting their communities like this, and I hope that I can help the games succeed.

It’s also a fun opportunity to work alongside some other PR folk at TriplePoint, as well as Simon Callaghan, with whom I worked on Neverwinter Nights way back in the day. Anyway, keep an eye on this site and on games sites everywhere for more info! And, of course, if you’re a journalist interested in talking to the devs or getting more info, just let me know.

In a sure sign that this is not just a blog on which I post insightful commentary on the ins and outs of public relations and marketing, I’m actually writing something about a client! Beware, for this can only end badly — shilling kicks all kinds of ass.

This week we’re celebrating the one-year anniversary of GOG.com‘s launch. A little later today or tomorrow I think I’ll put together a post about the first year — it’s definitely been a roller-coaster ride, as the cliché goes, with a fair share of struggles and successes on the PR and marketing fronts. But that’s not the point of this post!

This one is just to talk about the wicked bargains we have on the site this week. Okay, so we have the Buy One, Get One Free promo on the Interplay catalogue. Fallout 1, 2 and Tactics, Freespace 1 and 2 (pretty much the best space sim without the Star Wars license), MDK 1 and 2 (look for my first credit — a huge contribution I made to that game, of course… not!), Shattered Steel (another great BioWare game), Kingpin, Hostile Waters (awesome) and more for $5.99 each, then you get a free one. Pretty good.

In the past few weeks we’ve been trying out a Hidden Gem of the Week promo, which basically spotlights one game that people may have overlooked — something really good, unique or otherwise interesting — and doing a little write-up and a 10%-off discount for the week. For the editorial bits, we brought some great writers on board – Pete Davison and David Craddock – who should certainly be in consideration for any sort of freelance writing gigs you people have! The past few weeks have featured Descent 1 & 2 (the two are bundled as one in the Interplay promo) and Shogo, an early Monolith creation… and this week it’s all about Rise of the Triad – particularly timely, given the recent indication of a franchise reboot.

As if compelled by the mythical Dealosaurus, we also just released Might and Magic 6 Limited Edition, which includes six games (Might and Magic 1 through 6) for $9.99. I haven’t played through most of the games in that package, and will do so at my earliest convenience… I get it for free, though, muahaha.