Wideload getting into casual development
Wideload calls their new division the "Shorts" department, but as a minigame-soaked ex Nintendo fanboy, I can tell that really means "casual" games. We'll probably be seeing some creative Live Arcade ideas come out of Wideload in a few months. I hope this trend toward faster, easier cheaper doesn't doom our industry, but if there's real talent behind the smaller games we might just get some new genres.
WIDELOAD GAMES, INC. BRINGS STYLE AND
ORIGINAL GAMEPLAY TO SHORTER GAMES
CHICAGO, IL (August 14, 2007) - Wideload Games, Inc. (www.wideload.com), today officially announced its new Shorts division, which is focused on developing smaller, entertaining, game experiences for multiple platforms. Wideload is applying its trademark humor and core development team model, which proved successful with Stubbs the Zombie, to a new line of innovative games that will appeal to players who desire easy-to-play games that can be played on the go or in smaller time increments. Like its retail console games, Wideload’s Shorts Division will always create original games featuring Wideload’s unique sensibility.
Video game industry veteran Scott Corley was recruited to lead the Wideload Shorts division. Corley was formerly the president of Red Mercury, a successful game developer for handheld platforms and PCs. “Wideload’s unique, independent, creatively focused culture continues to spawn a slew of great game ideas, some of which are ideal for a smaller entertainment experience,” says Corley. “Wideload Shorts is here to make games for everyone out there who used to play games, who still want to play games, but can no longer invest forty hours a week playing games. We’re making little packets of densely-packed fun for you to enjoy. And we’re having a blast doing it.”
Tom Kang, President of Wideload, explains the broader strategy. “Wideload Shorts employs the same philosophy and business model we pioneered for large retail console releases and there are significant synergies that arise from developing for both markets,” says Kang. “Shorts’ games are created by a small core team, but will have creative and technical input from all areas of Wideload. Further, Wideload Shorts’ and Wideload’s larger development teams will work together to leverage their creative assets. For example, a Wideload retail game may include an asset that would be great to spin off into a Shorts game, and vice versa, a Wideload Shorts game could inspire a Wideload Games retail product.”
Wideload Shorts games will target handheld, console and PC platforms, and will be distributed via established and emerging download channels. Wideload Shorts will release its first game in late 2007, with additional games scheduled for release in 2008. Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 users should also keep a look out for Wideload’s other 2008 game, Hail to the Chimp, which is being published by GameCock.
About Wideload
Wideload Games was founded in 2003 by former CEO of Bungie Studios and Executive Producer of Halo, Alex Seropian. From their studio in Chicago, the industry veterans on Wideload's creative team strip-mine their own mountains of creative genius, forging the raw material into games nobody else has made or played before. The studio is focused on developing original games with a small, efficient design team and a roster of independent talent. For more information about Wideload, visit www.wideload.com <http://www.wideload.com/> , or email info@wideload.com.
