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Zynga acquires Backbreaker football developer NaturalMotion
Social gaming giant Zynga announced the purchase of mobile game developer NaturalMotion today, TechCrunch reports. Zynga purchased the Oxford-based company for $527 million, composed of $391 million in cash and roughly 39.8 million shares of Zynga's stock. NaturalMotion's body of work includes mobile games like Clumsy Ninja and CSR Racing as well as Backbreaker, the developer's unlicensed football game based on its Euphoria engine. Published by 505 Games, Backbreaker launched in June 2010 on Xbox 360 and PS3 after its iOS and Android counterparts. The game received a sequel in Backbreaker 2: Vengeance, which was one of the first games to come from NaturalMotion's publishing division. The developer announced its move to publish digital games in November 2010. The acquisition is accompanied by news that Zynga is also laying off 15 percent of its workforce, which amounts to about 314 employees.
Backbreaker: Vengeance tackles XBLA on June 29
Love football but hate the parts where there's throwing and play-calling and team management and defense and kicking? Us too. For our sadly ignored minority there's Backbreaker: Vengeance, coming to XBLA on June 29 for an undisclosed price. The digital release takes the original game's Tackle Alley mode, which charges the player with avoiding a preset formation of defenders as they attempt to score, and expands it to a full game. Though it's an XBLA exclusive for now, the arcade football action will also come to PSN later this summer ... but only in Europe. Who wants to break the news to them that it's not that kind of football?
Backbreaker: Vengeance tackles XBLA this summer
NaturalMotion officially unveiled what it was teasing earlier this week, and ... it's kind of confusing. Backbreaker: Vengeance uses the same subtitle as the company's recent iOS football game, but it is not the same game. The new Backbreaker: Vengeance (who are these football players seeking vengeance against?) is an XBLA-exclusive, arcade-style game that "takes inspiration" from the first Backbreaker's "Tackle Alley" mode. That means one runner attempting to cross the field against various arrangements of pre-placed defenders. Check out a trailer after the break -- especially if you're fond of body-crunching sounds. Actually, that advice also works in regards to buying the game this summer.
NaturalMotion teases new Backbreaker game
The official forum for NaturalMotion's Backbreaker football series was updated with the above image of three players from three different teams navigating a field of tackle dummies. It could be a console sequel to Backbreaker, either original or adapted from the iOS Backbreaker 2: Vengeance (which makes sense given the tagline on the image), but the forumites all arrived pretty quickly at the idea that it could be an Xbox Live Arcade/PSN title based on the "Tackle Alley" mode, which tasks players with getting past a line of defenders. When NaturalMotion is ready to tackle an official announcement, it said, it'll do so on the Backbreaker Facebook page.
NaturalMotion gives us a crash course in game physics
Physics can make or break a game -- imagine how boring Half-Life 2 would've been without the gravity gun. NaturalMotion, the studio behind Backbreaker, shows how physics work in-game through its Euphoria engine (a staple of Rockstar's most recent games, like Red Dead Redemption and GTA IV).
TUAW's Daily App: Backbreaker 2: Vengeance
Most football video games nowadays go all out on features -- you can play any position, just coach fantasy-style, or even design plays in some games. But NaturalMotion's Backbreaker series for iOS goes the other way. It's just good old tackling and running, boiled down into an arcade mode designed to show off the dynamic tackling and motion built into the engine. Backbreaker 2: Vengeance is really impressive. If you're a hardcore football fan you'll want a more full-featured game, but if you just love dodging and diving into players on the football field, you'll really enjoy the wave after wave of points-based attacks here. Especially on iPhone 4, the presentation is great, with smooth and beautiful graphics and very responsive controls. This is the second in the series, and it shows -- NaturalMotion is really learning how to do cool stuff with their engine. There are also tweaks to moves from the first game, and a few new moves as well. And Backbreaker 2's got Game Center integration, so you can chase after achievements and leaderboards, too. It's an excellent game for US$2.99 -- check it out (at least when you're not playing Infinity Blade today).
NaturalMotion moving into publishing, naturally
Developer NaturalMotion, perhaps best known for its Morpheme and Euphoria middleware, has announced that it will begin publishing games digitally, beginning with a couple of iOS projects. According to GI.biz, Jenga and Backbreaker 2: Vengeance (really -- that's the subtitle for a football game?) will be the first products out of the company's new publishing division. The developer's first Backbreaker game has been reportedly downloaded over three million times from the App Store, offering a solid clue as to why NaturalMotion is moving in this new direction. "We believe there is a significant opportunity in combining the ease of use and connectivity of social games with the stunning performance of modern devices such iOS, Android and consoles," said CEO Torsten Reil. According to the NaturalMotion website, Jenga for iOS will be the publisher's inaugural release this holiday.
KFC sponsors Backbreaker Football's lite iPhone version
Developer NaturalMotion has signed a deal with restaurant chain KFC to brand the free "lite" version of its Backbreaker Football game for the iPhone. For a month, the sponsored title will offer up 10 new waves to play through, as well as a special "Chicken Dance" touchdown celebration, all courtesy of the Colonel's own marketing budget. The full version of the game (which contains more gameplay modes and the chance to customize your characters) is also on sale for 99 cents on the App Store. So, whether you just try a bite or go all-in, you can start hitting torsos even harder than the Double Down does.
Backbreaker update 'Greathouse' getting ready to huddle up in 'early August'
505 Games has announced a new update for its Euphoria-powered footballer, Backbreaker. Dubbed "Greathouse," this new update -- which should be available sometime in "early August" -- adds a host of features the community have apparently clamored for, such as an "improved Quarterback camera view and passing game" and 100 new plays, including nine new formations to use. Greathouse also tweaks gameplay on the other side of the ball, introducing a new "user catch system" and "full control" over interceptions. For the full patch notes, head past the break. Update: We mislabeled the launch window for the "Greathouse" update as "next month," when in fact we meant to say "early August." We apologize for the confusion.
Backbreaker trailer opens the playbook on game modes
Today, 505 Games' Euphoria-powered Backbreaker hits the retail gridiron, and above you'll find a handy video guide to its many modes. Whether it's a quick exhibition game or compiling an entire season, there are a host of customizable gameplay experiences available to players. And, of course, it wouldn't be a sports game if there weren't pages and pages of stats to pour over.
Backbreaker video gets all defensive
Having educated us in the ways of offense, 505 Games has released a new video to acquaint digital linesmen with Backbreaker's defensive game. Much like the offense game, playing D in Backbreaker uses flicks of the right analog stick to perform various actions, whether they be flying tackles, bull rushes or sneaky evasive spins. Backbreaker tackles retail shelves -- and the notion of unlicensed football -- June 1.
Backbreaker demo blitzes Xbox Live
A demo for the Euphoria-powered, tackle-infused Backbreaker is now available on Xbox Live. The demo clocks in at 415MB and allows players to try out the training mode, an exhibition game and the "Tackle Alley" mode. Tackle Alley is an arcade-style game that has you running the ball up the field against a pre-placed set of defenders. Using Backbreaker's offensive options, it's your job to shake the defense and get the ball to the end zone. Backbreaker also has another innovative feature: being one of the only football games that isn't Madden. Unfortunately, the team editor isn't available in the demo, so you'll have to wait for the retail release in order to create your totally fictional team that doesn't use any NFL names or trademarks. Xbox.com: Add Backbreaker demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
Backbreaker's running game looks for the gap
Backbreaker continues to promise a little innovation in the football genre, even as it tries to take on the mighty Madden juggernaut. In this new Training Camp video, you can check out the running game and how it works. In theory, it sounds great -- just use the right stick in an intuitive way to bump, stiff arm, and hurdle your opponents in the constant drive towards the end zone. In practice, though, it's tough to see how well the game will determine the gestures, like comparing a simple hurdle (pushing the right stick up quickly) versus an all-out leap (pushing the right stick up for a while). Still, even though Backbreaker is starting out deep in its own territory against the long-lived, well-funded and officially-licensed Madden series, if there's anywhere a plucky young underdog with a big, physics-based heart can win, it's in the sports genre. The game will set, hut, hike on June 1 for a discount price of $49.99.
Backbreaker video shows off team customization options
The Euphoria-powered football game, Backbreaker, shows off team customization tools in its latest trailer. Sure, you could use the robust editing suite to manufacture a pretty sweet team logo and end zone design ... but we know most people won't. When it launches on June 1st, could you at least promise us to keep your creations clean and devoid of objectionable genitalia for, like, the first day? How about you be a bit more mature and go with something like the Sioux City Slammers or, dare we suggest, the Jasper Joystiqs? No no, not the Joy Sticks. What is wrong with you people?
Backbreaker ad packs in the tackles, release pushed to June 1
It's okay, you don't have to read this. You saw that there was a new Backbreaker video and you came to watch some dudes get tackled. That's fine, and we understand. So, really, you don't have to read this just to make us feel like we're earning our keep. Besides, we've already seen the video, and you should totally watch it. Like, seriously, so many dudes get tackled. Actually, there is one thing you should read: The Backbreaker release date has been pushed back a week to June 1. Okay, now you can watch.
Submerge yourself into Naval Assault: The Killing Tide
click to DIVE into our gallery You're probably sitting around watching a rerun of The Hunt for Red October on cable right now, wondering aloud, "When are we going to see another decent submarine game?" You're even practicing your Sean Connery accent, which is good because, come this June, you'll have a chance to use it. 505 Games, who recently wowed us with both Backbreaker and Naughty Bear, are releasing Naval Assault: The Killing Tide on June 15 exclusively on the Xbox 360, just in time for a Submarine Summer. The game is "arcade style" according to the press release, meaning you Silent Hunter fans aren't going to get all the realism you want. Instead you'll have to settle for the historically accurate naval warzones of WWII and " an arsenal of faithfully recreated U.S. Naval submarines." Those subs will be armed with torpedoes and a deck gun, the better to take out enemy subs, ships, and planes. Though there aren't any in the gallery below, this game had better involve some periscopes ... or else. Gamers can play through the 30 solo missions after they launch from New York, or join three other players online for some multiplayer action. %Gallery-89455%
Video dev diary explains Backbreaker's unique camera
One of our favorite aspects of the Euphoria-powered football game Backbreaker has to be its innovative camera. While many focus on the game's graphics and its incredible physics animation system, it's the low-angle camera that truly separates Backbreaker from its competition. Not only does it make the game look more visceral, it drastically changes the gameplay, making it feel far more like an action game. "One of the benefits of having this down-on-the-field camera view is that it really makes playing as the quarterback -- like the passing mechanic -- feel really natural," Rob Donald explains in the dev diary above. While we're inclined to argue that the game certainly looks more real, we wonder if the close view will make players feel like they're at a disadvantage. It's something we'll have to judge when the game comes out in May.
Backbreaker hits the field on May 25
505 Games' ambitious tackle-em-up Backbreaker is looking to prove that an NFL license isn't all one needs to make a good football game -- and it'll get its chance on May 25, when the Euphoria-powered game will release in North America. Europeans anxious to break a back (and maybe an arm or two) will have to wait until May 28. So, what's your favorite part of football? Is it all of the home runs or the great names, like Dick Butkus? %Gallery-82057%
Impressions: Backbreaker
Click to enlarge Backbreaker may be the greatest football game no one will ever play. While I can attempt to detail its incredible use of the Euphoria physics engine, its spectacular graphics and truly innovative gameplay, all these features are moot thanks to the crippling fact that the game does not have the NFL license. Without the license, the annual Madden devotee won't have this on his (or her!) radar -- ironic, because Backbreaker makes good on the lofty promises of Madden 06's teased "CG movie" effect, which EA Sports has yet to deliver on, even four years later. It's easy to get jaded about sports games as they iterate, releasing slightly improved games year after year. We've grown accustomed to complacency. But simply watch a video of Backbreaker and you'll probably agree: this game is a breath of fresh air no one expected from the genre. It goes to show that with proper competition, there's a lot of room for innovation. Perhaps the most obvious thing to discuss are Backbreaker's animations, powered by the same tech used in Grand Theft Auto IV and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Euphoria allows game characters to react to their virtual environment and create dynamic animations. Unlike canned ragdolls, these animations are surprisingly lifelike, and because they can be generated on the fly, ensure the game feels spontaneous. Backbreaker has one huge advantage over games like The Force Unleashed, though: it's developed by NaturalMotion, the studio that made the Euphoria tech. %Gallery-82057%
New Backbreaker trailer promises 'next-level' football
We haven't heard much about Backbreaker in a good year and a half, but the Euphoria Engine-powered football title (thinkThe Force Unleashed, with all of those Stormtroopers flying around) is still hitting first downs. It's now set for a release in spring of 2010 (ah, spring, when everyone's mind turns to football -- oh wait), and 505 Games has screenshots and a brand new trailer to share. The game will boast both online and split-screen multiplayer, Arcade and Pro modes (the tougher one will have AI and visual assists switched off) and full team customization options, including a full logo editor. But of course the real star quarterback here is the physics engine -- while the video hints at some great dynamic tackling and movement, we'll have to wait and see if the gameplay provides some real innovation in the football genre. %Gallery-82057%
