Dual-screen, free-roaming pinball with mini-games too.
August 2, 2005
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
Author: ZEN Studios
Budapest, Hungary, August 1st. Forget basic bumpers, balls and bonuses, Flipper Critters, a brand new game now in development at Zen Studios (formerly Rubik Interactive), is set to redefine the entire pinball genre - and create the fastest, funniest and the most colorful and exciting game yet to reach the Nintendo DS.
The entire game is set in a rich and engaging fantasy world, complete with strange characters, perilous quests and a host of challenging arcade mini-games. The entire game makes use of both screens on the Nintendo DS to show off every angle and aspect of the vibrant, cartoon world of Flipper Critters.
Instead of confining the action to a standard pinball table, all of the fast-flipping action in Flipper Critters takes place in a huge range of landscapes, locations and areas, from town squares and mountain valleys through to towering castles and even the surface of the moon. All of the most famous and favorite pinball features are still there, including ramps, sinkholes, bumpers, jackpots, gates and goals - though not as you know them. The ball physics in Flipper Critters is state-of-the-art, giving a fast, responsive and fun feel to the game.
But that's not all. Flipper Critters also features a wide range of mini-games which challenge players to master a variety of new skills and make use of all aspects of the Nintendo DS, including the control pad, the touch screen and even the microphone. Players can access different mini games and travel to different areas of the map from the pinball tables within the game. The mini games and areas can be accessed in any order, making the game different for each player and each gameplay session.
Throughout the game, players will encounter and receive help from some of Flipper Critters' peculiar inhabitants. Characters can offer help, cast spells or offer the player quests and challenges to undertake to help them reach new areas of the map.
Flipper Critters is the most fun and engaging new game yet created for the Nintendo DS. With it's simple to pick up, but difficult to master gameplay, engaging, colorful graphics, quirky humor and wide variety of game styles, it's a perfect game for players of all ages. Flipper Critters squeezes every last drop of power out of the Nintendo DS to create an entirely new and fantastically fun game that promises to appeal to the gamer in everyone.
"We're delighted with the way Flipper Critters is progressing," says Zsolt Kigyossy, the managing director of Zen Studios. "It's simple, fast, easy to pick up and a whole lot of fun. The blend of pinball with the arcade style mini-games and the non-linear nature of the quests and missions gives the game a lot of depth and replay value. What we've done is take a step back and look at everything the Nintendo DS can do - the touchscreen, the microphone and the control system and then design around those, so they're an integral part of the game and it's as easy and engaging as possible. The development is coming along very well and we're looking forward to having the game completed."
Zen Studios and their exclusive business agent Flashman Studios are currently looking for a publisher to work with them to release Flipper Critters in the next several months. Any company interested in working with Zen to bring this fast-paced family game to market should contact:
Ryan Peterson
Flashman Studios
+1.604.683.1355
Zsolt Kigyossy
Zen Studios
+36.1.488.7790
For more information visit: www.flippercritters.com
ENDS
Notes To Editors:
About Zen Studios
ZEN Studios Ltd. (formerly RUBIK Interactive) is a multimedia and game technology company and developer based in Budapest, Hungary. Zen was founded by a number of experienced game developers in 2000 with the aim of developing innovative new arcade, strategic and action games for the PC and console market. Since inception the company has dedicated itself to creating the highest quality technologies and titles and providing competitive development rates to publishers, license holders and media companies worldwide.
Zen is one of the only developers in Central Europe which is a fully licensed Sony PlayStation2, PSPTM, Nintendo DS and Microsoft XboxTM game developer. ZEN Studios is a fully independent company, which prides itself on offering a unique and creative approach to the games business.
Zen combines a global approach with a high degree of efficiency in the design and development of titles. The studio makes use of leading game design and graphic design resources from North America and Europe to provide world-class support for all titles. Development takes place in Zen's Central European headquarters, with highly experienced developers alongside bright and enthusiastic new talent. Zen Studios currently has 18 full-time members dedicated to creating innovative, exciting and fun new games.
Zen has created the industry-leading PX engine, which provides the company with advanced capabilities for the Nintendo DS. The PX engine offers extremely high performance real-time rendering with advanced texture mapping and lighting along with state-of-the-art physics, sound and a wide range of other features and special effects. The PX engine supports the entire game development life cycle, from building initial environments and character design through to final debugging. Zen plans to use the PX engine to push back the boundaries of game design and development for the Nintendo DS.
Focusing on excellence in game design, innovative artwork and leading edge technology for the world's leading gaming platforms, Zen is truly the developer of choice for publishing partners. ZEN Studios is a company dedicated to creating unique games with universal appeal, games that provide transformational
experiences for players.
Online: www.zenstudios.com
About Flashman Studios
Founded in 2005 by Brad Young, Flashman Studios is a full services agency for developers, intellectual property owners, publishers and game services companies working within the interactive entertainment industry. Flashman provides a complete range of capabilities including:
planning and corporate strategy - financial services - sales - marketing - branding and intellectual property management - business development - corporate, business and project negotiation - mergers and acquisitions.
Flashman works closely with each client, providing the value-added services and creative approach each company requires to maximize their business opportunities and create a prosperous and viable long-term future.
Flashman Studios is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with offices in Vancouver, Canada. The company already works globally with a number of the world's most innovative and exciting companies across all areas of the interactive sector. Flashman clients are presently active in the PC and console development areas, through to mobile content, online gaming, music and audio provision, game design, publishing and many others.
Online: www.flashmanstudios.com
Contacts:
Ryan Peterson
Flashman Studios
T: +1.604.683.1355
Zsolt Kigyossy:
Zen Studios
T: +36.1.488.7790
Media
Brian Baglow
Indoctrimat
M: +44 (0) 7747 792247
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