Hello there, beautiful PlayStation.Blog fans!
My name is Ed Fear and I’m the PR Manager at Curve Studios, an independent developer based in London. I’d like to take a moment of your time to introduce you to Explodemon, an awesome action-platformer coming to the PlayStation Network this Winter 2010.
I think the best way of telling you about Explodemon is with a suitably bombastic trailer, so take a look at this:
If that’s piqued your interest, hooray! If it didn’t pique your interest then, well, shame on you. Watch it again until it does.
Let me set the scene: the nefarious Vortex have mounted a surprise invasion on the planet Nibia, destroying its entire Guardian defence force in the process. Only one hope remains: the malfunctioning prototype Guardian Explodemon, locked in stasis after a, shall we say, ‘devastating’ activation experiment.
As his name suggests, Explodemon’s problem is that he’s ‘prone’ to exploding. It turns out that, surprisingly, Explodemon’s explosivity (so totally a word) will come in useful for fighting back the Vortex onslaught, navigating around the environment, and solving tricky physics-based puzzles.
Featuring 12 huge levels of pulse-pounding platforming, a deep control system, devastatingly up-close-and-personal combat, upgradable special abilities, comic-book style cut-scenes and a story that’ll make you giggle, cry, or simply sigh with indifference, Explodemon isn’t your average game. No way. It’s above average, at least. No, wait – so way above average that it’s pure awesome. That’s more like it.
We’ve been working on Explodemon for almost five years now, in some capacity or another, so we’re immeasurably excited to actually get it out to people before the end of the year.
If you’re thinking ‘Five years?’ then, well, that’s understandable. It’s a very long and dramatic story, featuring MYSTERIOUS BENEFACTORS! LAST-MINUTE DEAL BREAKDOWNS! HIDDEN USURPERS! and BOUNCY CASTLES! – well, okay, not the last one (I can dream). But it ultimately culminates in us deciding to follow our instincts and venture into the brave new world of self-publishing. But you look a little fidgety, and I don’t want to go on too much, so let’s save that for another blog post. Or possible movie rights.
Considering that I’ve just sold Explodemon to you so well, you’re gagging to have a go, right? (Yes. You are.) Well, you’re in luck – Curve Studios will be out in force to show off Explodemon to the world at the MCM Expo, from October 29th to 31st at the ExCeL Centre in London. We’ll also be giving away goodies and even copies of the game, so make sure you pop on by and say hello!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little introduction to Explodemon, and that you’re suitably excited for what I can personally guarantee is the most EXPLOSIVE game to launch on PSN this Winter. If you’ve got any questions or comments, post them below – I’ll be skulking below in the comments section like a lonely man at a house party, gripping his drink and staring intently at his shoes, desperate for a snippet of conversation to latch on to.
P.S. Oh! I almost forgot! Make sure you follow us on Twitter @curvestudios to keep up-to-date on all the latest information and get exclusive screenshots not seen anywhere else. There are free copies of the game up for grabs too!



















22 CommentsAdd Yours
1
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:06 pm by DANTHEMAN121
wondered what this game was when i saw it on the MCM Expo list. i’ll be at the Expo this saturday see you guys then can’t wait.
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:16 pm by Ed Fear
Awesome! We’ll see you there!
2
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:11 pm by ambalek
This looks suspiciously like ‘Splosion Man, without the humour.
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:14 pm by Ed Fear
Yeah, we get that a lot. But they’re really very different. I mean, there’s no combat in ‘Splosion Man, or puzzles really – both of which are far more of a focus in Explodemon. And we haven’t revealed any of the story or script yet, so I think it might be a tiny bit early to judge the humour
3
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:13 pm by Sm8ckhead
Splosion man with a WIG on in blade kittens back yard.Nice.
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:17 pm by Ed Fear
For the record, we’ve not been anywhere near Blade Kitten’s back yard. Just thought I should put that out there.
Thanks for the kind words!
4
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:24 pm by EpicMcDude
Looks FUN!
Nice work man.
Put custom soundtrack though…
PS: Why were there japanese letters?
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:45 pm by Ed Fear
Hey EpicMcDude, if that IS your real name (hohoho).
Thanks for the kind comments!
The game takes a huge amount of influence from Japanese console games from the 16-bit era – in terms of its look, gameplay and even how Explodemon himself talks – so it seemed like an appropriate homage to put a katakana transcription of the title in the logo.
5
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:25 pm by ambalek
True, too early to judge. Some of the graphics look cool in the video, so I’ll definitely check it out.
6
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:30 pm by Shou_Kobayashi
What happens if the left big bar is filled up, or is this your life meter
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:40 pm by Ed Fear
Hey Shou,
Yeah, it kind of is a life meter. It starts out empty, and then as you kill enemies it fills up – the more daring you are in how close you explode to the enemies, the more Explosion Charge you get.
So yeah, it acts like a life meter, in that getting hit will decrease the meter. But you might also notice that it’s divided into three ‘sections’. Increasing the meter into these sections makes you level up, which gives you a boost to how quickly you can explode and the damage that you do, amongst other things.
Of course, if you get hit and the gauge drops down below the threshold, you’ll level down and go back to before. Keeping yourself at max level is a challenge but definitely something for skilled players to aim for!
7
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:54 pm by Alastair-
So you get Splosion man comments, what about Megaman comments?
I saw some moves that were very reminiscent of Megaman.
Looks great, I hope it’s better than Splosion man seeing as I never got a chance to play Splosion man.
Now we need something like Super Meat Boy, quite disappointed about that not being on PSN.
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:05 pm by Ed Fear
Oh yeah. We don’t have a problem with people saying the Mega Man thing, because that actually was a strong influence – there’s no denying that. We loved the Mega Man games. Personally, I have some of my fondest gaming memories playing Mega Man 2 back in the day…
We only deflect ‘Splosion Man comments because there is no influence at all, because the games really were developed in tandem – an almost-finished prototype version of Explodemon was entered into the Independent Games Festival in 2008, before ‘Splosion Man had ever been announced.
Not that it’s offensive to be compared to what was a great game!
8
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 3:58 pm by KAP
I got well excited for a moment there thinking it was Splosion Man… Oh well.
So let me get this straight, at a glance the name and gameplay looks a little similar?!
Hmmmm.. getting tough on new ideas these days right?
Regardless good luck on sales dude. This is honestly a kind comment.
Good luck.
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:10 pm by Ed Fear
Ah, you admit your own mistake there – a ‘glance’! Have a better look and you’ll notice the really significant differences between the two.
If you’d read the blog too you’d know that we’ve been working on this in earnest for about five years, so we must be hiding a pretty awesome time machine in order to have been so lazy with our idea
Anyway! Thanks for the kind wishes!
9
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:06 pm by vonhammer
@KAP
“Hmmmm.. getting tough on new ideas these days right?”
Wasn’t this fist shown around the same time as Splosion Man,in fact if I remember correctly this was announced two or three days before Splosion Man
10
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:08 pm by vonhammer
Beaten by ED’s response by a minute
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:17 pm by Ed Fear
Faster, vonhammer! FASTER!
No, but thanks for fighting our corner. Appreciate it!
11
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:10 pm by Overlord1304
Price? Let me guess … going to be at that new favourite $15 price point, right?
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:16 pm by Ed Fear
Hey Overlord,
Not sure about the ZA price point yet, but I’m pretty sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the price
12
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:18 pm by EpicMcDude
10€ and I’m sold.
13
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:19 pm by EpicMcDude
Wait, that came out wrong. 10€ for the game and you sold it to me. There
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 5:15 pm by Ed Fear
Hmmmm. I think you’ll be happy with our pricing, let’s just say that
14
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:43 pm by GarethUbuntu
Awesome!
I’ve been needing a ‘Splosion Man-esque fix so this should fill the void quite nicely.
Any chance of getting the game’s soundtrack on the store? the music in the trailer is really good and it will be nice to listen to on the go.
Also, I’d like to ask, how much will it cost? save people wondering when it’s released.
Thanks for the replies (if any).
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 5:19 pm by Ed Fear
Hey Gareth,
Thanks for your kind comments!
I think releasing the soundtrack would be an awesome idea, and it is something we’ve discussed internally. You’ll have to wait and see though!
Regarding the price, I can’t give you a specific amount because it could end up changing and I’d hate to give any one the wrong impression, but we’re DEFINITELY talking under £10. Hopefully a fair bit under!
15
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 4:51 pm by VictorAnalogy
Looks fun. I’m all about physics puzzles me.
Did you consider a name change after ‘Splosion Man became rather well known? I suppose being (I assume) exclusive to your respective platforms there is little chance of cannibalising each others sales due to confusion, but still it seems a different name might have…differentiated you from your competition. I work in IP so I’m always curious about these things.
16
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 5:02 pm by ShoaibO
My mother should have named me Ed Fear, what a cool name.
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 5:31 pm by Ed Fear
Try having a name like mine in the playground. OH THE TRAUMA (;_;)
17
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 6:20 pm by vonhammer
She should of named you David Richard.I’d love it if my mail was addressed to D.R Fear
18
Posted on 27 October, 2010 at 6:31 pm by Shin-Ra
Please be bringing it on! Some of the ignorant comments you’re having to read reduce me into brittleness fluid!
19
Posted on 28 October, 2010 at 4:22 am by Naths90
Whoa, is your last name really Fear? That is too awesome (fearsome?)!
Jono (@beginnergamer)
Posted on 2 November, 2010 at 11:17 am by Ed Fear
Yes
It’s not that cool, really.
20
Posted on 28 October, 2010 at 7:02 am by TAGlennan
I’ve been super excited for Explodemon since I first saw a trailer on IGN a looong while ago. Definitely a day 1 purchase for me.
Posted on 2 November, 2010 at 11:18 am by Ed Fear
Day one purchasers also get a special, added bonus: my everlasting love. Act now to avoid disappointment!
21
Posted on 28 October, 2010 at 5:58 pm by trutenprower
This looks really fun and interesting! I’m really looking forward to Explodemon (Awesome name by the way) and it looks like it will be immediately added to my collection on release.
Posted on 2 November, 2010 at 11:18 am by Ed Fear
Yay! Thanks trutenprower!
22
Posted on 28 October, 2010 at 9:09 pm by Dewisant
Any word of a demo? Also if this doesn’t have talking cats from Swansea who go into impromtou song at 10,000 points, then forget it!
Posted on 2 November, 2010 at 11:16 am by Ed Fear
Um… it, uh… let me just take a look at the script… *quickly adds in cats*
We close the comments for posts after 30 days. If you would still like to comment on this post, please use our contact form.