Michael Phelps - Push The Limit
Blitz Games Studios handling development duties for swimming champ's Kinect game.
02 FEBRUARY 2010 LEAMINGTON SPA, UK Blitz Games, the family games division of leading UK developer Blitz Games Studios, today announced the development of 505 Games’ Michael Phelps – Push the Limit on Kinect for Xbox 360. Published by 505 Games, Push the Limit captures the player’s exact movements to put them in control of an up-and-coming swimmer, with the ultimate goal of challenging Michael Phelps for the top spot. Developed on industry-leading middleware BlitzTech, this entirely new game mechanic capitalises brilliantly on the Kinect’s capabilities to create an intense and exciting sports simulation game.
In Push the Limit the player is thrown in to the exhilarating - yet physically demanding - world of competitive swimming, where you have to accurately master the different swimming strokes and techniques needed to become a pro. Career Mode allows the player to compete in a variety of tournaments set in some truly breathtaking locations; from a Japanese dojo, through heated outdoor pools set against icy mountain ranges, to an 80,000 seat outdoor arena. The player must progress though the increasingly challenging competitions, picking up some pointers along the way from Michael Phelps to perfect their techniques. The difference between winning and losing can come down to one-hundredth of a second, so the challenge is on to make it to the Annual Games tournament to swim against Michael Phelps himself.
The first game trailer is now available at www.michaelphelpsgame.com. Filmed in his hometown of Baltimore, the trailer was captured using a Phantom HD camera, the first time Phelps has been filmed in up to 1000 frames per second.
“Making Push the Limit has been an incredible experience for the team,” says Struan Robertson, Project Director on Michael Phelps – Push the Limit. “Both Blitz and 505 have spent a lot of time honing the game vision and design to produce an exhilarating experience that we’re all really proud of. From the first moment you enter the pool, you’re in Michael’s world and that’s a cool place to be.”
Adds Ian Howe, President of 505 Games: “It is an honour for myself and everyone here at 505 to work with Michael Phelps, a truly transcendent athlete who has brought unprecedented glory to competitive swimming. His guidance and feedback have proven invaluable to the development process, and in-game he will mentor players in their journey from an unknown challenger to a powerful swimmer capable of beating the best in the world.”
For screenshots of the game, go here: www.flickr.com/photos/blitzgamesstudios/
Media contacts:
For all enquiries, contact Izzy Miller, Blitz Games Studios' PR Co-ordinator at emiller@blitzgamesstudios.com.
505 Games Media contacts:
Reverb Communications
Tracie Snitker
tracie@reverbinc.com
(209) 586-1495 x104
Jerry Whitehead III
jerry@reverbinc.com
(209) 586-1495 x111
Michael Phelps contact:
Octagon
Drew Johnson
drew.johnson@octagon.com
207 775 1500 x25
About Blitz Games:
Blitz Games is dedicated to creating engaging, mass-market, boxed console titles for all ages and across all platforms. A division of Blitz Games Studios, Blitz Games staff are experts in developing games for some of the world’s highest profile brands. www.BlitzGames.com
About BlitzTech:
With unrivalled flexibility the BlitzTech games development engine and toolset middleware has powered over 25 titles, totalling over 70 releases covering eight platforms, including Sony PlayStation® 3, Microsoft Xbox 360® and Wii™ from Nintendo. The technology provides the competitive advantage to deliver quality titles capitalising on strong cross platform support and a highly streamlined development pipeline. Blitz Games Studios provides dedicated technical support for BlitzTech. www.BlitzTech.com
About Blitz Games Studios:
Blitz Games Studios is based in Leamington Spa and was founded by industry veterans Philip and Andrew Oliver. It now has more than 220 staff and its six divisions encompass mature titles (Volatile Games), Serious Games (TruSim), family titles (Blitz Games), licensable middleware (BlitzTech), downloadable games (Blitz Arcade) and its education division (Blitz Academy). www.BlitzGamesStudios.com
About 505 Games
Based in Los Angeles, CA, 505 Games (U.S.) is the North American division of 505 Games, a global videogame publisher. The U.S. operations launched in May, 2008 to bring quality interactive entertainment to North America on all game platforms including Microsoft Xbox 360®, PlayStation®2 system, PlayStation®3 system, PSP, Nintendo Wii™ and DS, as well as PC, online, and mobile. The company’s management team hails from the leaders in global entertainment including major motion picture studios, videogame publishers and leading game development studios. With the company’s deep experience and proven success in interactive entertainment worldwide, 505 Games is looking to drive the industry forward with innovative game experiences that integrate next generation game play, immersive stories and integrated brands that can take the business to a new level. The company offers a broad selection of videogame titles in all genres for players of all ages. For more information on 505 Games and its products, please visit www.505games.com .