Play with Fire Announced
June 2006
Play with Fire is an inventive new platform puzzle game in
which the player controls an indestructible ball of flames
which sets fire to everything in its path. The game features
unique gameplay based around burning and jumping, and three
different ways to play - a Fun path which is easy enough for
anyone to enjoy, a Puzzle path for those wishing to test
their intellectual mettle, and a Challenge path presenting
formidable trials for those who wish to test their
limits.
Designed by International Hobo Ltd, the game has been
developed by India's first console game developer, Fantasy
Labs Entertainment Pvt Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of
International Hobo). Unique and innovative, Play with Fire is
designed to appeal both to experienced gamers craving
something original, and to a wider audience looking for
something that is easy to learn but hard to master.
(The game has been in development under the working title of
Fireball, and also the Japanese title for the game
Hidama.)
"Play with Fire is a special game," says Chris Bateman,
Managing Director of International Hobo, and the game
designer on the project. "The game mechanics are simple, but
produce quite diverse play. We set off with the goal of
exploring how we could deliver new play experiences on a
relatively small development budget - too many games fail
because they cost more to make than they can ever hope to
make back in revenue. I'm looking forward to getting the game
into the hands of the audience."
The PC version of the game, specifically aimed at the gaming
underground, is being released with bold new independent
publisher, Manifesto Games, based in New York. "Play with
Fire is precisely the kind of innovative, independently
developed game Manifesto was founded to support," says Greg
Costikyan, the company's CEO. "It's a clear indication of the
power of combining a controlled, intellectual approach to
design with a clear commitment to the creation of compelling
popular entertainment."
The PlayStation 2 version follows later this year, and is
being published by Europe's highly respected budget
publisher, Midas Interactive Entertainment. This release is
geared towards a wider, more mass market audience. "Midas was
our first choice for console publisher," Chris explains.
"They represent all the key strengths of the budget market,
and this was the perfect market tier for a game like Play
with Fire." Midas adds: "We are delighted to be publishing
Play with Fire on PlayStation 2. Our stated aim is to deliver
the very best value for money games to the market and in this
game we will be doing just that."
Play with Fire PC is expected Summer 2006, with Play with
Fire PS2 expected Q4.
Links
International Hobo Ltd http://www.ihobo.com/
Manifesto Games http://www.manifestogames.com/
Midas Interactive Entertainment http://www.midasinteractive.com/