The guys over at Console Arcade just posted an interview we did with them last week. In it we talk about our fondness for bright colours and the fact that Digital Distribution may let developers escape the problems of retail publishing but it also presents you with a whole new set of challenges.
You can check out the whole piece over at http://www.console-arcade.com/features/strawdog-studios-interview/
As detailed in a story on GI.biz (here) the UK government have finally decided that video games sold in the UK will now be rated exclusively by the pan European ratings body PEGI. This finally eliminates the long running dual ratings system in which PEGI (http://www.pegi.info/en/index/) rated games that did not require a UK 18 rating and the BBFC (http://www.bbfc.co.uk/) would rate games that required an 18 rating.
The past
The BBFC was designated as a body able to classify movies (and games) under the Video Recordings Act 1984. However it was not a legal requirement to get a game classified unless it meets the criteria necessary for it to be classified 18 or 18R.
| The BBFC classifies videos, DVDs and some video games under the Video Recordings Act 1984. (The video games covered by the VRA are those whose exemption is forfeited under section 2(2) because they depict human sexual activity, gross violence or other matters of concern.) |
For those games that didn’t meet the requirements for an 18 rating there was a voluntary ratings system in place. It was down to the developer/publisher to ensure they submitted to the right system and if you distributed a film/game without an 18 classification, which was later found to require an 18 rating, you could face a hefty fine and/or imprisonment.
As of now
Following the Byron report and some hard lobbying by various trade bodies the UK government have decided that the BBFC will no longer be involved in rating games. The PEGI system will be adopted for all games, thus eliminating the annoying duel system. This new process will be managed in the UK by The Video Standards Council (VSC/PEGI Article)
As a small independent developer looking to self-publish some of our titles we welcome our new PEGI overlords. Anything that simplifies the age rating process is a good thing for us.
A busy week at Strawdog central. Everyone is busting a gut to get to the next milestone on Space Ark as well as finalising an update for our iPhone title Turbo Duck (iTunes link).
We are going to be launching a free Lite version of the game so that people can try it out, as well as adding some updates to the main app. More details on what is coming and when as soon as it is nailed down.
As well as our recently announced Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/StrawdogStudios) you can now also keep up to date with the dogs via our new Facebook page. Check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Strawdog-Studios-Ltd/79843542837
We will also be posting a Space Ark development blog in the next couple of weeks as well as Space Ark videos on our Youtube channel (http://www.youtube.com/strawdogstudios).
The unofficial finally becomes official with the announcement that our newest original game Space Ark will be coming to Xbox Live Arcade in Q3 2009.
Space Ark, which was formerly known under the working title of Bounce, is a fun homage to the bright and bouncy arcade games of the late 80s such as Rainbow Island and Arkanoid, with an added mix of Pinball.
A wandering black hole has passed through the galaxy destroying planets and leaving others damaged and desolate in its wake. The Arkonauts – a team of space traveling animals – have been dispatched in their Space Ark on a mission to terraform the damaged worlds, and bring life back to the shattered worlds. You must aid the Arkonauts in their quest by bouncing them into the air to collect DNA (which helps to heal the planets) whilst also collecting bonuses and power-ups.
The game features 180 levels, split across 5 worlds, of ‘Arkonaut’ bouncing entertainment with 24 selectable Arkonauts, five mini games, bonus levels and a host of powerups.
For more info and screen shots check out our games pages – Space Ark game page
Space Ark – Let’s bounce!
An interview we did with Ben Parfitt has just been posted over at Intent Media’s casualgaming.biz site.
The interview was set up by PR guru Dene Landucci (every indie developer should hire a PR person to help promote their business) and in it we discuss a range of topics including the challenges of developing original games, iTunes vs XBLA vs PSN, piracy (boo hiss) and our new XBLA game.
You can find the full interview at http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28626/INTERVIEW-Strawdog-Studios
Just spotted the first review of Turbo Duck to hit the net at Gamedroid. Now obviously they liked the game 
but the thing I really like about the review is the fact that they obviously paid attention to what they were doing. They didn’t just play through the game and say what they did/didn’t like. They clearly paid attention to the details as you can see from this quote…
“For example: every time a submarine re-surfaces and creates a wave, that wave will change your ducks direction when it hits it.”
The submarines aren’t in every level and yet the reviewer has picked up on what is actually quite a small feature. None the less it is a feature that the team worked to include in the game and as a developer it is always nice when someone notices those things you have worked hard to include.
Game announced…. check.
Video released… check.
Game released… check.
Our first iPhone game Turbo Duck has just been released on the iTunes App Store and no, this isn’t an April fools joke.
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=305889055&mt=8 is the link to click for Turbo Duck’s App Store page and it is well worth checking out, even if we do say so ourselves (which we do).
I guess with several of the team having love affairs with their iPhones it was only a matter of time before we would start work on an iPhone/iPod Touch App. We set out to come up with a fun game that suits the iPhone and we think we have accomplished that with Turbo Duck. It’s an ideal mobile game with great 3D graphics and fun bite sized game play for people on the move.
We enjoyed the whole process of developing Turbo Duck so this certainly won’t be our last iPhone release.
Game announced…. check
Video released… check
The press have been really great and picked up the announcement story and the video. Here are a selection of the sites that have covered the game so far…. thanks guys.
Videogamer.com and Screenshots
Next stop game reviews….
The Turbo Duck game play video has now be uploaded to Youtube for your delectation.
The game itself is currently being reviewed by Apple and we expect it to be released to the App Store within the next few days.
