Kotaku
While one portion of EA busies itself trying to eat Take-Two, EA Bright Light studio in Guildford UK is busy bringing joy to children all over the world with the new Nintendo DS title, Zubo. It's a completely original game featuring all the stuff the kids go crazy for - collectible characters , music-based rhythm-action, and that old standard, adventure. Children enter the world of Zubalon and help the Zubos defeat an evil force hell heck-bent on taking over the world. Players will drive battles with music, tapping the stylus in time with the beat. There are 55 Zubos to collect, a ton of mini-games to play, and an entire world to explore. EA is effectively creating this holiday season's "safe bet" game for parents picking up a shiny new DS for their kids. Zubo will be out this fall, just in time for Christmas. Hit the jump for the full announcement and a colorful, kid-friendly Zubo poster, suitable for placing in a tiny frame.
EA ANNOUNCES ZUBO - A NEW CHILDREN'S VIDEO GAME EXCLUSIVE TO NINTENDO DSOriginal Nintendo DS game features collectable characters in a music-based rhythm-action adventure
Guildford, U.K. - March 28th, 2008 - The EA Casual Entertainment Label today announced the development of a new wholly-owned, original intellectual property, created for 7-11 year old boys and girls. Zubo is a music-based rhythm-action game featuring a unique set of characters that is scheduled to ship worldwide later this year, exclusively on the Nintendo DS handheld system.
"Zubo represents the culmination of a dedicated incubation project, which specifically sought to develop a new videogame property for boys and girls under 12," said Harvey Elliott, Head of the EA Bright Light studio in Guildford, UK. "The team here has designed a rich, immersive and, above all, enjoyable experience - one that will live in the schoolyard, at home or on the move."
Players enter the world of Zubalon to help the colourful and zany inhabitants, the Zubos, defeat an evil force which is bent on world domination. Players can befriend the Zubos they meet along the way, feed and nurture them, help them gain skills and strength, and assist them in their battles with the enemy, the dastardly Zombos.
A key element to Zubo is music, which is intrinsic to Zubalon from its tuneful plant life through to its currency of musical notes. The player will use the music to drive the battles forward, synchronising their stylus action and tapping in time with the musical beats to win!
With 55 Zubos available to find and recruit to a player's squad, plus a wealth of interactions and mini-games, and the world of Zubalon to explore, Zubo offers a deeply rewarding Nintendo DS experience.
Zubo is developed by EA Bright Light studio in Guildford, UK and it will be available on the Nintendo DS this autumn.
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Comments
2 Hudsucker Proxy references in 2 days. I am pleased.
You ever read about a a game and it feels like youre reading a chemical recipe than reading about something thats supposed to be imaginative and inventive?
Sounds like they're aiming for "Patapon for the kids". And you gotta love those block-style characters.
Hey, you know what...I like it...sure its designed by unfeeling marketing people but I really like it...bravo EA london bravo
Is it wrong that this actually seems like a game I would want?
@Billkwando: It's been on HBO recently. Perhaps that is why?
Pata beat agents?
All I can say about this is that the guy on the left in that image up there reminds me of Indiana Jones.
Looks like one company liked the look of how much money the Lego games were making.
@uranutan: I know the feeling. If only they would bring Patapon to the DS I wouldn't be so tempted by something that feels like a knock off of the concept.
Pata-Pata-Pata-Po-what?
Guess I'm not the only one who instantly though "patapon knockoff" the moment I read this. EA's really picking at the bottom of the barrel huh.
@Billkwando: What was the other one?
I just watched that movie last night. Kotaku is sending me secret messages = confirmed.
@Archaotic: Specifically, Lego Indiana Jones. That is no coincidence, my friend.
@marissa_melee: I missed the other one, too, but I just watched that again last weekend. The hive mind collective is calling out to us from Kotaku Tower...
"Finally there would be a thingamajig that would bring everyone together... even if it kept them apart spatially."
I totally read that as "Light Bright" and I thought of Lite Brite
Nevermind, I'm an idiot. Looks vaguely adorable/cute/kiddy. I'm 30 and I think I'd play it if it doesn't suck.
@Modus_Operandi: Yes, but it's "you know, for kids!" minus the "the". But, that's a great movie and any mention is fantastic.
So ripping off Patapon, Lego Indiana Jones and Little Big Planet? Must be some strange use of the phrase "completely original" that I'm not familiar with.
@waterhand:
Yes, but #75 on the Reasons to Hate Nintendo was a spot-on quote. ;)
I love saying "spot-on" and I'm not even British. Are Americans allowed to use that phrase?
That 'b' looks like a middle finger to me, eh, gents?
Even if it is a Parapon rip-off it'll be a sci-fi fps by the time the development is finished. It doesn't matter.
For those who got the Hudsucker reference, you'll be as shocked as I was to find out that there's a "You Know, For Kids" T-shirt at CultClassicTs.com. Coincidentally, I bought one last week.
@Jordan Lund: I could understand the rest, but where in the world did you get Little Big Planet from? It looks nothing like it.
I loved the "dedicated incubation project" quote.
Gotta love how EA's "unique set of characters" in a newly developed game has riffed on 2 (or 3) pre-existing characters - everyone's pointed out the lego Indiana Jones, and I see dr. Frankenstein's monster holding hands with indy. And is that Supergirl or a cheerleader bonking someone's head? Also that myopic helmet-head looks like Robocop, and the shirtless guy in the front with his fists and a red dragon tattoo? I'd call that Bruce Lee. Gameplay sounds like Patapon and Elite Beat Agents too.
@Billkwando: I hope so. I've been saying "loads" for weeks now in an attempt to sound British-y.
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