Black Lab Games is please to announce that it has been approved to develop "Minis" for the Playstation Portable.

PSP Minis are small download-only games for the PSP handheld console, described as "bite-size fun at bite-size prices". Initially announced in August, the first PSP Minis became available from the 1st of October 2009.

Although we can say that we are part of the PSP Minis program, we have no specific titles to announce at this time...so stay tuned for future announcements!

Black Lab Games is pleased to announce the launch of our new site, detailing information about our upcoming release Star Hammer. Visit www.starhammer.com for screenshots, game information, videos and the latest news.
 
Star Hammer is a trigger-happy space shooter blending intense action gameplay with an epic story. As veteran fighter pilot Kamryn ‘Venice’ Advallar, players will take the experimental X-36 'Stalker' space fighter into battle, to defend the colonies of Novus from a mysterious alien threat known as the Nautilids.
 
Since being announced in March 2009, Star Hammer has undergone a number of significant evolutions. Firstly, the cropping of the name (previously 'Operation: Star Hammer', the 'Operation:' has been dropped).
 
Secondly, a new art style and game engine have been developed, featuring a hybrid of 2D and 3D to combine engaging, accessible pick-up-and-play gameplay, with a cinematic story progression system.
 
Thirdly, a new and improved story has evolved. Star Hammer is set in a future where a divided human race - now settled on a new homeworld called Novus - is under siege from the malevolent alien force known as the Nautilids. With the colonies of Novus on the verge of utter destruction, the promotion of a new Admiralty fast tracks into service a range of new high tech experimental weaponry. The story in Star Hammer follows the exploits of veteran fighter pilot Kamryn Advallar as he plays his part as a cog in the machine of war.
 
Finally, Star Hammer will be released via Xbox LIVE Indie Games in a series of installments. Each installment in the series will progress the story, and add new missions to complete, weapons to unleash, and enemies to obliterate. Part one, Star Hammer: Survival will feature 15 action-packed missions as the human colonial Alliance Navy struggle to turn the tide of war against the merciless alien invaders.
 
A PC version of Star Hammer is also planned, although the timing and format is yet to be decided.
 
Although an exact release date is yet to be locked down, it is currently planned that the first installment in the Star Hammer series will be available on Xbox 360 before the end of 2009, with more chapters of the story to be released during 2010.

Black Lab Games have entered an in-development version of Star Hammer (formerly titled 'Operation: Star Hammer') into the DreamBuildPlay competition. DreamBuildPlay is an annual competition that gives independent Xbox 360 developers the opportunity compete for cash prizes and publishing contracts.

As part of the entry process, a video of the game was made. The video below shows 100% in-game footage from the game.

May 13, 2009 - Operation: Star Hammer delayed

When Operation: Star Hammer was announced in March, it was stated that the game would be available in Q2, 2009. This is no longer the case.

Although the game has been progressing well, after reaching an alpha stage, the decision has been made to re-work parts of the game. Ultimately, this will mean a better game, but also a later release date.

More details will be issued in due course.