Word has reached our ears. The latest released version of Stenches (v1.1) with global co-op multiplayer is crashing on startup for a very small number of players.

We're on it and feverishly looking for a solution. Once found, we'll get another update out to resolve the issue.

Hang in there ... we're on it.

There's a bit of a rumor we've picked up on ... something about Stenches GameCenter global Co-Op multiplayer is coming soon. While we may have actually been the plant of this rumor ... I do have news.

It's seems that the rumor mill is spot on. Global Cooperative multiplayer is coming before the end of the month to Stenches.

Join with your friends, join with your neighbors ... join even with your enemies, but join up and stamp your name on some Zombie Brutes!

What a great first year for Thunder Game Works. 2010 saw our first game release on the AppStore; Trenches. Trenches rocketed to the Top 10 in January 2010 and returned to the Top 10 with the multiplayer update in May. Quite an accomplishment for a small, independent developer.

2010 saw the much anticipated spin-off of Trenches; Stenches. Based on the secret unlockable, Zombie Horde mode in Trenches, Stenches brings a more pick-up and play game style than its paternal roots.

As the "Best of 2010" lists are starting to come out, we're seeing Trenches all over them. What an honor! What a great year indeed ... and we owe it all to our faithful players.

... but we're not done ...

2011 will see Global Multiplayer with Voice Chat in Trenches AND Stenches. In 2011, we'll also bring another blockbusting hit to the AppStore. Our development schedule is crowded with awesome stuff. Hold on tight ... it's only going to get better.

From all of us here at Thunder, thanks so much for a great 2010 ... now, let's get on with 2011!

Happy New Year everyone!

Our little elves are working feverishly on your Christmas gift. It's something you've been wanting for some time. It's handmade with the greatest care. Now, it's some ugly sweater knitted by your crazy Aunt Whatsherface. Nope ... it's something you'll actually want under the tree ...

How's Global Multiplayer in Trenches sound? How's Global Multiplayer in Stenches sound?

Well ... that's what we're feverishly working on. We hope to have a test build done this weekend for a submission next week.

There you go ... Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Seasons Greetings ... how ever you say it, you'll giggle with glee very soon.

Slay on, my friends ...

Hey folks ... you asked and we listened.

Stenches v1.0.1 hotfix update has been submitted. In it, you'll find performance optimizations for older devices, miscellaneous bug fixes and the Easy difficulty ... well, it's actually easy now.

As always, your five start reviews allow us to do what we do. Please use our contact form to provide us feedback ... we read EVERY SINGLE email we get and respond to 90%.

Who loves ya, players?

Stenches has been awarded Apple coveted Game of the Week!

"Use your armies to send the walking dead back to their graves in this week's selection, a zombie battler that plays every bit as good as it looks."
- Apple

... now, make Stenches YOUR game of the week!

Stenches is out!

You heard (or read) correctly, Stenches has been released on the AppStore and it's ready for your zombie eviscerating pleasure! Battle three bosses and waves upon waves of their minion across four masterfully created environments. Western Europe will never be the same again.



... but lest we forget ... Trenches v1.8 sporting the German Campaign also released today!

It's a right Thunder day today, eh? Maybe instead of Armistice Day, we can lobby the European Union to sanction this ... "Thunder Day". Hmmm ... it does have a nice ring to it ...

Armistice Day is celebrated in one form or another in the United States and most of the European countries on November 11th. Armistice Day marked the end of World War I and is a celebration of peace.

We thought it only fitting to also celebrate Armistice Day ... only ... slightly different.

We're celebrating Armistice Day by releasing Stenches, the soon-to-be AppStore hit that thrusts you back to the trenches of World War I ... but this time to eradicate the undead German zombie horde. It only seems fitting as well, to release the latest update to Trenches on Armistice Day. In Trenches v1.8, you'll see the much anticipated German Campaign ... and then, of course, GameCenter integration.

Yep! This is going to be the best Armistice Day ever!

Slay on, my friends ...

We just submitted Stenches!

We've thrown in some many cool things and SO much cowbell here at the end! It's so great! It's so much fun to see zombies turned to bits ... but it's also terrifying to get my troops zapped by lightning. (You'll know what I'm talking about soon enough!)

It's been a long build, but it's so worth it!

Thank you players for encouraging us. You will not be disappointed!

It's been a long wait ... but we're finally there. All the cowbell that would fit is in. We're now putting the finishing touches on Stenches and fixing bugs.

I hated seeing Stenches delayed, but after playing these new release versions ... it's SO worth the wait! The art style is beautiful, the sound effects are chilling and the gameplay is thoughtful and engaging. You're going to love it!

So ... when will you get a chance to load Stenches on your device? The official release date is ... November 11th.

If it's possible, Stenches plays completely different than Trenches, but then, much the same. It's hard to explain (obviously). Suffice it to say, your Trenches training will certainly add you, but you'll be going back to school with Stenches. I can tell you this ... it's closer to a traditional Tower Defense, but then ... not really. Hmmm ... maybe you should just see for yourself on the 11th.

Happy Slaying!

Well, as is our way, the Stenches timeline has been ... er ... re-worked a bit. It's true ... we had a functioning version of Stenches a number of weeks ago, but, alas, it's not released yet. Why is that? I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Once we get a functioning version of a game or update, that's when we start really throwing in new features. That's when we start adding cowbell.

Allowing me to be so brazen: Once you play Stenches, you'll agree with us, it was worth the wait. We've revamped the battlefield mechanics, added new artillery, completely new gameplay modes and integrated GameCenter ... and that's the short list. Just as you found with Trenches, Stenches is going to master the subtlety of polish. We're adding little, otherwise, insignificant gameplay elements that when put all together bring the game to a whole new level.

Yep ... Stenches is going to be epic (if I can be so boastful).

So, I beg patience players ... it's coming, and when it's done ... you'll agree, it was worth the wait.

Allow me first to say that TGW fans are the best fans ever. We received many "where are you guys" and "what's going on lately" emails and messages. Of course, some were a little more aggressive.

It's true ... we have experienced quite a drought in our blog postings. Don't let that make you think that we're not feverishly at work over here, though. We're working hard on Stenches, a big update to Trenches and some new cool stuff.

So, what's new with Stenches? Well, glad you asked ... (everyone get your shocked faces ready) ... it looks like Stenches is going to be a little longer in the oven. We had originally hoped that Stenches would be ready by, well, last week, but we can't help ourselves from throwing in more and more cowbell. The art is done, gameplay is nearly complete, new vocals are recorded and a really epic soundtrack has been loaded. We're SO close, but we've got just a few more things we want to add to really blow your minds. To answer the question EVERYONE is asking: When?!? I think it's safe to say that by the first week in October, you'll be turning all sort of nasty zombie things into little pieces.

Trenches? Yeah, we're still working on Trenches. Do you realize that Trenches came out at Christmas 2009? ... and we're still doing updates! I hope that gives players a sense of how committed we are to support. Okay, okay ... so the German campaign is very, very close to completion. With the new German campaign, you'll (obviously) be able to play a new campaign as the Germans. BUT ... you'll also be able to play the Germans in Skirmish mode. I should point out that this new German campaign is not a reskinned British campaign. Nope! You'd expect more for us, right? The German campaign is completely new. If you've played the British campaign, you'll recognize the difference immediately. There's new missions, new objectives and new artwork. It's really, really cool. I can't wait to you to see it!

So ... October is going to be a big release month for Thunder ... and Christmas . Did anyone catch the coy hint there? More to come on our Christmas releases.

Posted under: Company Development Stenches Trenches

Yes, yes ... I quite realize that it's been a MONTH since our last blog post. I think based on that length of silence, we've lost of moral ability to call this a "blog". Sad. Now, maybe we should call it a "somewhat occasional update section". Hmmm ... but blog is so much easier to remember. So, blog it'll stay. Now ... onto the news ...

"What's up with Stenches?!?" Yeah, we're getting that a lot of late. We're working on it ... we really are, but we had some really cool opportunities that we had to jump on. That said, Stenches is coming ... it really is ... we're working on it.

Pygmies are coming to Trenches! Remember that cool opportunity from the previous paragraph? Well, the Pygmy Zombies from Pocket God are due into Trenches with the next update. (Trenches v.17 has due to be released any moment) What a hoot to work with Dave and Allan at Bolt Creative! If you've not played Pocket God, it's one of our favorites and you'll not find a nicer couple of guys as developers on the AppStore. You really should check out Pocket God!

Trenches Updates ... so, you've asked, you've begged ... you've nearly kidnapped our Minister of Propaganda. (At least, that's what he says) What have you been asking for ... simply put, "I want to play as the Germans". Oh! Oh, do you now?!? Well, your wish is our command. We're currently working on an update to Trenches that will include a completely new German Campaign ... and the ability to play as the Germans in Skirmish mode.

What happens when you build a cute, little, unlockable mini-game into a much larger game title? Well, we found out with the Zombie Horde mini-game in Trenches. Zombie Horde quickly became a fan favorite once players started unlocking it. Who would've known?!? We didn't expect players to take to Zombie Horde so quickly and with so much passion. AS is our way ... we just build what the players want ... so ... without further ado ... I present to you ... Stenches. (Did you catch the play on Trenches? We knew you would)

Stenches will be a pick-up and play zombie killing spree on steroids. There will be multiple game play modes including wave survival and distance. Eventually, multiplayer as well ... and, just like in Trenches, multiplayer will be Co-op and Versus.

Players will experience all new areas ... each one with its own frightening characteristics. Then, mixed in with the never-ending waves of horde ... zombie heroes ... of the sort, that you've never seen before. These zombie heroes are freakish mutants that don't appear to care if they waste mindless zombie or terrified soldier. Hold tight, Tommy ... you're in for a LONG night.


Stenches Promo Art


Stenches concept screenshot


Stenches icon

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