505 Games To Publish NaturalMotion's Backbreaker In Spring 2010

Animation middleware developer NaturalMotion says that Backbreaker, its first foray into game development, will see a spring 2010 release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 thanks to publisher 505 Games. NaturalMotion is best known for the Morpheme, Endorphin and Euphoria tools, but announced the animation-intensive football title Backbreaker in 2007. The game makes use of "motion synthesis engine" Euphoria, promising tackles that are calculated dynamically rather than relying on pre-generated animations. "Backbreaker is about being on the field and in the action," says NaturalMotion CEO Torsten Reil. "Through the use of Euphoria, we are able to create an experience that is truly interactive and different every time." The game will offer 11-versus-11 competitive play, online multiplayer and split-screen multiplayer modes. Players can customize their teams via a logo-editor feature. Publisher 505 Games has generally focused on video game tie-ins with family brands in the past. The London-based company's young North American arm, established in May 2008, has published games such as We Cheer, which it distributed in PAL territories, and Hotel for Dogs. It has also said it's working on a multi-platform title based on Olympian swimmer and 14-time gold medalist Michael Phelps, slated for 2010, and it has a multi-year, multi-title deal with fashion brand IMG to publish games based on Fashion Week events. "Backbreaker sets the new standard for football," says 505 Games U.S. president Adam Kline. "Repetitive, canned animations are a thing of the past. We recognize that fans are eager for something new, and Backbreaker will blow them away."