This morning, at the second day of Nintendo’s media event in San Francisco, there were a few new announcements for the future of WiiWare. World of Goo received a release date; we’ll be seeing it the week after next on October 13th. After that, however, came an announcement of something new: RealNetworks, the digital services company behind RealPlayer, Rhapsody, and other PC-based applications, has decided to enter the console market, by way of WiiWare. Beginning with Boingz, a physics-based puzzle-platformer developed by NinjaBee, RealNetworks has plans to release a whole new product line for gamers.
RealNetworks’ Frank Rogan explained Boingz to event attendees, calling it the “first of a new line of products.” Illustrated to onlookers and in a subsequent press release, Boingz “introduces players to bendy, stretchy little critters who’ve found themselves scattered about an alien world.” Using the Wiimote, players must find their fellow Boingz and awaken them, using their stretchy capabilities to fling themselves around a series of levels in 2.5D, physics-based platforming puzzles.
According to Rogan, RealNetworks is pleased that WiiWare “allows us to broaden our horizons.” The title certainly does appear to be a departure, with its Dr. Seuss-influenced art and open-ended puzzles, all of which promise multiple solutions. Rogan promised that players would never find themselves in an impossible jam with Boingz, allowing for plenty of creative thinking. Boingz will be available “soon” for WiiWare, and we can expect to hear more from RealNetworks regarding the platform in the future.
The press release is included here:
SEATTLE — October 3, 2008 — From Nintendo’s Fall Media Summit, digital entertainment services provider RealNetworks®, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNWK) today announced Boingz, its first WiiWare™ game for the Wii™. Designed specifically for the Wii platform and its unique motion controls, Boingz will be available exclusively on WiiWare soon. Marking Real’s entrance into the console market, the game will be shown for the first time today at Nintendo’s Fall Media Summit.
“We are thrilled at Nintendo’s ability to continue bringing countless new fans to casual games with the Wii,” said Matt Turetzky, vice president of content and non-PC platforms in the Games Division of RealNetworks. “With the launch of Boingz, we are taking our casual games to living room consoles for the first time and taking advantage of the unique game play capabilities of the system to craft a casual experience targeted specifically for Wii gamers.”
Developed by the award-winning studio NinjaBee and published by Real, Boingz introduces players to bendy, stretchy little critters who’ve found themselves scattered about an alien world. Players must help the Boingz free the rest of their friends and find their way back home by solving a series of addicting, mind-bending puzzles across thirty levels of fun. Using the Wii RemoteTM to grab, stretch and fling the rubber-band bodies of the Boingz, players direct the team one by one to bounce around the environments, traverse the seas and even build bridges with their own bodies. Created exclusively for WiiWare, the single-player world of Boingz is a surreal, colorful landscape that will entertain players of all ages.
“Working with RealNetworks has allowed us to branch out to Nintendo’s Wii and create an innovative new IP with awesome physics and fantastic visuals,” said Steve Taylor, President of NinjaBee. “While we are best known for our collection of titles on other platforms, Nintendo’s WiiWare will bring to life a game that we have wanted to make for a long time and believe fans will truly enjoy.”
RealNetworks’ Games Division is a leader in the casual games industry worldwide, with a vertically integrated development, publishing, licensing, distribution and retail business. Casual games are family friendly and easy-to-learn but often difficult to master. In addition to WiiWare, Wii and the Nintendo DS™, RealNetworks offers titles for the PC, Mac, and a variety of mobile handsets and portable gaming devices.
“Boingz” will be available soon for download via WiiWare. WiiWare games can be found in the Wii Shop Channel. For more information, go to: http://www.gamehouse.com/wii/.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
I had no idea that RealNetworks did anything besides RealPlayer. I’m a little hesitant to try their games for that reason.
October 4th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Yes, because obviously RealNetworks couldn’t have changed as a company and made their software non-invasive in the last few years, and obviously Nintendo will allow a company to put tracking software in their game.[/sarcasm]