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'Dawn of Titans' shrinks an epic strategy game onto your phone
This year alone, 1.4 billion smartphones will be sold, giving more people access to gaming devices than ever before. But with more than 1,000 new apps flooding the App Store every day, it's increasingly difficult for new titles to make an impact. Every so often, a game like Pokémon Go comes along, proving that if you have the right "hook," you can find a massive audience. NaturalMotion believes technology is its hook. The British gaming studio started life creating animation engines, with its software used for everything from The Lord of the Rings movies to Grand Theft Auto V. It then packed that tech into mobile games like Clumsy Ninja that, thanks to their visual edge, quickly topped the App Store. That success led to the studio being bought for $527 million by casual-gaming giant Zynga. It's been nearly three years since the acquisition, though, and the pressure is on for NaturalMotion to deliver a fresh hit.
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.
Hit List Q&A: Torsten Reil, CEO of NaturalMotion
In the "Hit List" from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the video game industry's top talents describe their current gaming addictions, their most anticipated releases and more. This week: Torsten Reil, CEO of NaturalMotion. Torsten Reil holds a BA in Biology from Oxford University and an MSc in Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems from Sussex University. Prior to founding NaturalMotion, Torsten was researching for a PhD in Complex Systems at Oxford University's Zoology department, from which he spun off NaturalMotion. Torsten has been named amongst MIT's TR100 global top innovators, Next-Gen's 25 People in the Games Industry, Develop magazine's 25 Game Changers, and Game Developer Magazine's Power 50. At his upcoming D.I.C.E. Europe talk, Torsten will be speaking on "The Time To Take Risks Is Now." The game industry is currently presenting us with an opportunity of a lifetime. Old structures are broken up, audiences have swelled, and revenues for iOS and Android games companies are growing exponentially.
Engadget Giveaway: win a new Nexus 7, courtesy of CSR Racing!
You've seen the review, now enjoy the real thing for yourself. This week's giveaway centers around the hottest tablet at the moment, the Nexus 7. Our friends at NaturalMotion want to get one into a lucky reader's hands so they can enjoy the company's signature game, CSR Racing. The app is free, so it's definitely worth giving it a good look on whatever Android device you use. While you're waiting for it to download and install, make sure you head to the widget below to enter to win. Good luck!
Developer's 10-year journey to the iPhone launch stage
Apple's press events often feature demos of innovative third-party software that showcase the hardware being announced. At the recent iPhone 5 and iPod announcement, Apple showed off the processing capabilities of the new iPod touch with Clumsy Ninja, an interactive, animated character created by Natural Motion. VentureBeat reporter Dean Takahashi grabbed Natural Motion CEO Torston Reil after the event and talked to him about his company's animation technology. According to VentureBeat, Clumsy Ninja is the product of 10 years of development that started with Natural Motion's character animation engine, Euphoria. You can watch the Clumsy Ninja demo below and head over to VentureBeat to learn more about Natural Motion's background and its technology.
Natural Motion on track to make $12 million a month with CSR Racing, acquires dev team Boss Alien
NaturalMotion started off working on a state-of-the-art physics system for consoles, but the since company moved to iOS, it's found a lot more monetary success, putting out seven top-grossing games. Now the company has reportedly found a bonafide hit. CSR Racing was released on the App Store on June 28, and NaturalMotion says it's been making $12 million a month since -- all from in-app purchases. To celebrate, NaturalMotion has bought the game's developer, BossAlien and says it's planning on going even bigger with mobile games like this in the future. Unfortunately, this isn't all good news for players. I haven't sat down to play CSR Racing yet, but many of the iTunes reviews say that the game is extremely restrictive with its microtransactions. One look at the offerings on display shows that they're relatively high priced. That might generate a big revenue stream, but it doesn't build longevity, and it certainly doesn't win the company any long-term fans. NaturalMotion might have a hit here, but to keep that growth going, they'll have to nail down good, solid gameplay and not just depend fleecing as much money out of players as possible.
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?
TUAW's Daily iPhone App: Icebreaker Hockey
You may remember Backbreaker, the iOS football arcade game series by developers NaturalMotion. That same company has now used its proprietary physics engine to put together a game called Icebreaker Hockey, which obviously takes on the sport that's popular with our Canadian friends in the north. Just like Backbreaker, the game isn't a straight hockey title, but rather plays like a concentrated version of hockey, with you controlling a player skating straight for the goal and having to juke around defenders and get your shot in when you can. It's fun stuff, especially if you're not too concerned about realism. There are a few different modes to play with, and full Game Center integration for leaderboards and achievements. The weather's heating up outside, so the ice rink may seem like a thing of the past these days, but you can still get your skate on with this one. Icebreaker Hockey is just US$0.99 on the App Store right now.
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.
NEC turns your arm into a touch-sensitive remote control
You may ask yourself, why bother tapping touchscreens or physical buttons when an accelerometer can be strapped to the wrist, turning any ol' arm into a wireless touch panel? That's the claim that NEC is making today. A wrist-worn band of compact acceleration sensors divides the arm into seven sections along the upper, middle, and lower arm that can then be assigned as virtual inputs to an electronic device. No more reaching into a bag to answer the phone, no more plucking at the strings of a guitar to create song -- everything is controlled through a natural tap of the arm or clap of the hands. Once in a lifetime tech that feels the same as it ever was.
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'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.
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.
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%
Video: Backbreaker asks us how it feels
NaturalMotion just released a new "How Does it Feel?" trailer for their upcoming (American) football contender Backbreaker. A no-name football game that NaturalMotion is confident can compete against Madden 09 solely because of their gameplay trump card: the Euphoria engine. Promising realistic tackles, unscripted animations and dynamic fumbling goodness, Backbreaker sounds pretty decent on paper. So that's why we have trailers, to actually see with our own two eyes what the game has to offer. But, oddly enough, this Backbreaker trailer doesn't even show a hint of Euphoria goodness. No crunching bones, gang tackles or helmet to helmet collisions. Come on NaturalMotion, let's see your Euphoria trump card.
