ONE of the companies that rose from the ashes of former video games giant Bizarre Creations has released its first game.
Liverpool-based Hogrocket yesterday launched iPhone game Tiny Invaders on Apple’s App Store.
Hogrocket was launched in March by Stephen Cakebread, Peter Collier and Ben Ward – all of whom lost their jobs when Bizarre was closed in February by US parent Activision.
They are focusing on games for mobile platforms, rather than on the console games made by giant studios such as Bizarre.
Tiny Invaders sees players control a band of “space germs” trying to take over the world. Gamers can lead the germs towards their ultimate target – the President of the United States.
Speaking to LDP Creative last night, after the game had been on sale for several hours, Mr Collier said: “All the signs so far are that it’s been received really well.
“We’ve had quite a lot of support from the gaming press because of what happened at Bizarre. It’s been really heartwarming to see that support come through.
“As our part of that deal, we’ve got to deliver a good game. I think we’ve done that – it’s a game we’re really excited and passionate about. “
Many of Bizarre’s 200-plus former employees have stayed in the gaming sector in Merseyside, wither forming their own companies or working as freelancers. Hogrocket called on several other former Bizarre staffers to develop Tiny Invaders.
Mathias Grünwaldt, Bizarre’s former lead sound designer, created original sound effects for Tiny Invaders, while Eamon Urtone, former lead video editor of Bizarre, also worked on the game.
Mr Collier, a former senior designer on Bizarre’s game James Bond 007: Blood Stone, said Hogrocket’s directors were still enjoying the challenge of running their own firm.
He said: “Having previously worked at Bizarre with 200 or so people, you were a little bit detached from the marketing. It’s very different being in a three-man team, where you all get involved in telling the press about it, and talking to your contacts to get people talking about the game.
“It’s so busy, but it’s pretty exciting as well.”
