Topatoi Q&A

Hello guys,

It has been quite a while, but today I have some splendid news to share with you. First of all, the demo of Topatoi will be available this week. Check PSN on December 3rd to download it.

Also, I cannot talk about it right now, but we have more good stuff going next week, so keep in touch. I can assure you, it will be worth it.

And the last, but not the least, I’ve combined some of the most frequent questions we’ve been receiving from the fans and asked our guys to give some answers. And here it goes, the mini-interview with the team.
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Q&A with Boolat Games team

Q: So, why have you decided to develop a puzzle/platformer game, not an RTS or racing game, in other words, something in the genres you’ve tried before?

A: Well, we decided to create something in a genre that was not heavily introduced at PS3 to lower the competition factor. Plus we always wanted to create an arcade and dynamic platformer. Speaking of other genres, we didn’t really felt strong enough to start breaking ice of an RTS genre on the consoles or compete with juggernaut franchises like Burnout, NFS or Motorstorm, despite our previous experience. I mean, doing your first title for consoles, why would you do such a crazy thing? We thought it would be a good idea to start with something small, charming, and original in its concept.

Q: What games have inspired you?

A: We always liked Ballance, Switchball and other Marble Madness-inspired flicks. So that was our original inspiration. We decided to mix this concept with more traditional platformers, say, Ratchet & Clank and Jak & Daxter. So in the end we had a very special type of a physics-driven, puzzle-laden platformer. With traditional cartoon characters and screenplay, instead of some abstract stuff.

Q: Why PSN?

A: We always wanted to try PSN. Why… generally because we like it. I mean, what other reasons do you need? And what’s important it corresponds with the ideology and concept of the game, so it was a choice of mind and heart together.

Q: Ok, and what is the Topatoi?

A: Oh… everybody wants to know. Everything’s pretty simple. Topatoi is like “top” + “toy”. With “oy” replaced by “oi” to sound more cool. Like in a “Sk8er Boi”. And contrary to some folks’ belief, it has nothing to do with the music style of oi and bands like Screwdriver. We like Avril Lavigne better!

Q: As we know there will be few episodes of the game. What are the plans of project development?

A: We’re planning to release the new episode in the nearest future. It will continue the storyline of the original episode and will bring new levels and gameplay elements to the game. We’re testing it right now. And Episode 2 it is much longer than the first one, and as you know, size matters sometimes.

Q: When should we expect the Episode 2 announcement and gameplay videos?

A: Pretty soon I think. I guess will have the announcement this month, with trailer in December. Which is quite logical since we’re looking forward for an early 2010 release, January or February.

Q: And the last but not the least, what about multiplayer and new modes?

A: We’ll have a brand new multiplayer mode in Episode 2. We’re also thinking about adding a internet-based multiplayer, as well as some other modes. And no, I’m not talking about Team Fortress, Capture the Flag or Team Deathmatch.