PlayStation.Blog » John Dennis

Worms Crazy Golf Hits PSN October 25th

John Dennis — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:00:18 +0000

Hi everyone! With Worms Crazy Golf launching on the U.S. PlayStation Store on Tuesday, October 25th, for $9.99 (PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive a 20% launch discount for the first 2 weeks of release).

We’d like to introduce the game to you all by answering a few key questions:

Q: Can you describe how the intriguing idea of combining Worms and golf came about?

A: We started with the fact Worms is a pretty crazy and surreal game anyway, so we felt it would be ideally suited for combining with ‘crazy golf’. Coupled with the fact that both Worms and golf are both turn-based games, it seemed pretty natural to us that the two games could be mixed together into some sort of highly entertaining cocktail! And with the fun, competitive nature of both Worms and golf gameplay, we thought it would work very well in a social multi-player setting. Fortunately, I think our instincts were proven right!

Q: Can you tell us about the game. How does the world of Worms combine with golf?

A: Anyone expecting a straight golf game will be in for a bit of a surprise… it’s got a lot of the favourite aspects of Worms, including explosive sheep, grumpy old women, moles, magnets, mines, colourful environments and crazy chain reactions. It is set across three surreal 18-hole golf courses, (plus a diverse range of skill-based challenge modes), with each hole being more like a puzzle than those found on traditional golf courses. Completing each hole in par or under unlocks the next one, but there’s a bunch of things standing in your way, including increasingly challenging hole design and an array of obstacles; from castles that teleport your ball, cannons that shoot it across the landscape and even obstructive comedy bats! The game is based on the “Worms” gameplay mechanic of choosing shot power and trajectory, although “Worms Crazy Golf” is a completely new entity in itself. It’s neither a traditional golf game nor is it a traditional “Worms” game. It’s the absolute best of both worlds and we think it’s really good fun and very compelling.

When taking a shot each golfer also has a selection of unlockable special utilities they can call on such as the parachute ball, the ability to reverse gravity, or the ability to slow time down to maximise the effects of top-spin or back-spin – they are pretty funny and really encourage replay of the courses in order to get better scores. With four-player social multiplayer support, it has all the hallmarks of the “Worms” brand: the trash-talking, pressure to make the shot, terribly unhelpful ‘advice’ from your opponents, and often hilarious consequences when that risky shot that could have won the game goes terribly wrong.

Q: Do you have any plans for DLC after launch?
A: Yes, we have the Carnival Course DLC pack, which includes the surreal and colourful (very pink!) Carnival Course (a new 18 hole golf course), a selection of new challenges, a new utility (the ‘bouncy ball’) and more customization options too. This is set for release on Tuesday 1st November 2011, and best of all, it will be absolutely free!

Alien Breed 3: Descent – What You Need to Know

John Dennis — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:30:30 +0000

Hi everyone! With Alien Breed 3: Descent launching on the U.S. PlayStation Store on Tuesday, February 22nd, we’d like to introduce the game to you all with another handy list of things you may not know about the game:

Alien Breed 3: Descent is the stunning final chapter of the Alien Breed saga, a trilogy of downloadable PS3 titles that reinvent the Alien Breed series, which has roots dating back to 1991. The game is an action-packed top-down science fiction shooter where you must conserve ammo, scavenge for gear and upgrade your arsenal to survive against a vast alien threat.

After its successful introduction in Alien Breed 2: Assault, the challenging Survivor mode returns with an alien-slaughtering vengeance! You must resist endless waves of intense alien attacks in specifically designed arena environments, and because it can be played in single-player or in two-player co-op (online or local), you can get competitive and compete with your friends on the Survivor mode leader boards!

There are some exhilarating new action-packed third-person set pieces in the game which really get your pulse racing Battle through flooded levels, the all-new research labs, and take a spectacular space walk on the exterior of the ship as it plummets through the planet’s atmosphere. Come get some!

The Breed are meaner in this episode too, with new enemies to conquer: amongst them the ‘‘Electro-shocker” alien and the mighty final boss — although, obviously, I can’t say too much about that. I don’t want to spoil the finale!

Of course, with the odds and enemies stacked against you, you will need some more devastating firepower. Luckily you’ll be able to arm yourself with some awesome new weaponry: the “Project X” is a “BFG” that vaporizes everything it comes into contact with, while the awesome “Electro-Link” gun fires chain lightning to damage all nearby enemies. I have to say this weapon is my personal favourite, and incredibly satisfying to use.

The single-player game sees the player take command of Chief Engineer Theodore Conrad once again, this time in his last stand against the savage alien horde. As the doomed Leopold and alien space craft plunge deeper into the planet’s atmosphere and with an icy ocean promising a watery grave, you have just hours to defy a grisly death and survive the alien onslaught for the final time. As you struggle deeper into the sinking alien ship, through the freezing waters flooding every corridor, the horrifying truth surrounding the existence of the Breed is finally uncovered…

As well as the two-player Survivor mode, there is also a two-player Assault mode: a co-operative play mode (again online or local) in which players must work together to defeat the alien horde across specially designed maps for two players. This mode also concludes the thrilling separate narrative that crosses over with the single-player experience, and because both modes support voice-chat, for those playing online, it means you can work out your game plan and adapt your strategy as you go… something you’re going to need to do if you both want to survive!

For those PSN Trophy hunters amongst you: there are 35 Trophies available within this game, including a Platinum!

Alien Breed 3: Descent will be available at a great price of $9.99, which is an absolute steal in my opinion for the amount of adrenaline-fueled entertainment in the game.

And don’t forget, if you survive the final descent and fancy a challenge of an altogether more cartoony kind, Team17 also develop the awesome Worms games (also available now on PlayStation Store) so why not check them out?

Alien Breed 2: Assault Hits PSN on Tuesday with Short, Controlled Bursts

John Dennis — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:59:42 +0000

With Alien Breed 2: Assault launching on the U.S. PlayStation Store on Tuesday December 7th, we’d like to share a handy list of things you may not know about the game. If you have questions, ask away in the comments below!

It’s the direct follow-up to the PSN game Alien Breed: Impact. What’s more, it’s the middle entry in a trilogy of downloadable PS3 titles that reinvent Alien Breed, a series which has roots dating back to 1991. The game is an action-packed top-down science fiction shooter where you must conserve ammo, scavenge for gear, and upgrade your arsenal to survive against a vast alien threat.

We’ve added a new Survivor mode. This can be played in single-player or in two-player co-op (online or local), and you must resist endless waves of intense alien horde attacks in specifically designed arena environments. Get competitive and compete on the Survivor leader-boards!

Survivor Mode hits and tips: Before playing Survivor, take some time in the single player mode to learn the layout of the map. It’s also crucial to keep moving, as you’ll be overrun by aliens quickly if you stay still. Good communication is the key to survival: Decide who will focus on what weapons and try to catch the aliens in a crossfire. If you are both very low on health, a “tactical death” may work in your teams’ best interest, especially if you manage to time it between alien waves.

The game’s exhilarating new set pieces will get your pulse racing. Fight the breed through the new vertical climb section and teach those pesky aliens a lesson with the destructive mounted gun. It’s an absolute blast!

The breed have multiplied. Translation: there are new enemies to conquer, amongst them the Webber alien and dramatic new boss battles, although I can’t say much as I don’t want to spoil the surprise.

You’ll need devastating new firepower. Luckily you’ll be able to arm yourself with some awesome new weaponry such as the Hyper Blaster, a highly destructive chain-gun, and the Rocket Launcher, with which you can simply blow the horde away!

Theodore Conrad returns. In the single-player game, you’ll take control of Chief Engineer Conrad as he battles his way through the mysterious spacecraft Leopold – the very same ship that is responsible for the alien menace currently terrorizing Conrad’s own vessel! In this episode, you’ll travel deeper into the dark heart of the alien ship. It’s a pretty unpleasant place to be.

Two-player co-op play also returns. In addition to the new two-player co-op Survivor mode, there is also a two-player co-operative play mode (online or local) in which players must work together to defeat the alien horde. Co-op takes place across specially customised assault maps for two players, with a separate narrative that crosses over with the single-player experience.

Yes, there’s a Platinum Trophy. For those PSN ‘Trophy hunters’ amongst you…..there are actually 31 Trophies available within this game – including a Platinum trophy!

It’s easy on the wallet. “Alien Breed 2: Assault” will be available at a great new price – $9.99.

There’s more to come. If you survive the assault, look for Alien Breed 3: Descent to finish the trilogy early next year!

Alien Breed 2: Assault for the PS3 hits the U.S. PlayStation Store on Tuesday, December 7th for $9.99.

10 Things You Don’t Know About Alien Breed: Impact for PS3

John Dennis — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:59:51 +0000

Hi everyone! With Alien Breed: Impact launching in the U.S. tomorrow, we’ve pulled together some (hopefully!) fascinating things you may not know about the game. First, though, you might want to see what Alien Breed: Impact looks like in action.

Alien Breed: Impact is a re-imagining of the classic Amiga games. The original Alien Breed is remembered as one of the foremost games released on the Amiga. Launched in 1991 and developed and published by Team17, it proved to be a huge success, with the Special Edition version spending an incredible 33 unbroken weeks at the top of the UK sales charts. A sequel was released in 1993 (Alien Breed 2: The Horror Continues), followed by Alien Breed: Tower Assault and a couple of 3D editions, both of which also won numerous awards.

“Heart of Darkness” helped inspire Alien Breed: Impact. The game’s main influences are obviously classic sci-fi, horror and action movies, as well as games and comics. But you might not know that hidden in the narrative of the game there are also numerous references to Joseph Conrad’s classic novella “Heart of Darkness” (which itself was the inspiration for the film “Apocalypse Now”). The name of the hero is Conrad, the name of the space ship is the Leopold (a reference to the steamer in Conrad’s novella), and most of the other character names have a “Heart of Darkness” connection.

It looks stunning. With great visuals, atmospheric environments and cool special effects, our highly modified version of Epic Games‘ Unreal Engine 3 enables us to push the boundaries of what is visually possible for a downloadable game. We really hope you like the result!

Alien Breed: Impact isn’t just a simplistic blaster. It presents numerous other tactical gameplay challenges to the player. Our general advice: conserve your ammo; work out quickly which weapons work best against which enemies; use the melee attack (it’s great for killing alien eggs and those little “burster” aliens); use health packs, items and grenades; and collect as many credits as you can scattered throughout the levels and spend them on various upgrades in the Intex shops.

Cooperate or perish! Alien Breed: Impact isn’t just a single player title. It also features exciting and competitive two-player co-op action, local or online, with specific characters and storyline that run in parallel to the main story. Check it out — it’s my favorite way to play the game.

There’s more to come. Alien Breed: Impact is the first of three games in the new Alien Breed universe, with Alien Breed 2: Assault and Alien Breed 3: Descent coming soon to PSN over the next few months.

Alien Breed: Impact includes a Platinum Trophy. “The Completionist” is awarded when all other Trophies in the game have been collected. Good luck with that, guys. It’s pretty tough, so let us know how you get on!

Try cranking the difficulty up a notch (or two). On the hardest difficulty level, we have found that the way people play the game changes, from gung-ho arcade blasting that you can do on the easier settings, to a much more tactical, thoughtful approach, more akin to survival horror gaming. Ammo is scarce and you really have to think about how to take down the slimy alien horde and complete Conrad’s missions.

Alien Breed: Impact is created by Team17. Apparently we’re those ‘crazy’ UK guys behind the Worms games!

Any similarities are entirely coincidental. Any rumours about the ugly, slimy, smelly, and disgusting alien enemies in the game being designed to specifically look like key members of Team17 are completely untrue! ;-)

We really hope you enjoy the game when it comes out tomorrow on PSN. All of us at Team17 would encourage you to ‘get up there and whoop E.T.’s butt’, as a wise man once said…..