Stand Well Back… New Publishing Force Ignites
Archer MacLean heads creative department of new next-gen publisher, bringing a mix of original and classic titles to console
23rd July 2003
Archer MacLean, one of the industry’s most respected developers, has adopted a fresh role with UK-based firm Ignition Entertainment as the company looks to expand its operations onto next-generation consoles.
Archer has joined Ignition as Creative Director, with the remit of bringing his 25 years of experience in game design and coding across the entire Ignition range. Furthermore, Awesome Developments – Archer’s 30-strong development team, previously responsible for smash-hit titles such as Jimmy White’s Cueball 2, Cueball World, as well his older titles such as the seminal karate classic IK+ and Dropzone – will provide titles exclusively for Ignition. In addition, Archer’s role will involve sourcing and managing the development of third-party titles which will be published by Ignition.
The first of these next-generation titles is Super Farm from Asobo Studio, a cartoon style madcap-melee combat game, which is due for release on PlayStation 2 at the end of September. The game mixes an original set of bizarre farmyard characters with classic single- and multi-player arcade combat, providing one of the most entertaining arena-based romps in years. Its suggested retail price is £24.99. And like Shrek the film, it has teenage fun appeal, but with a dose of somewhat adult humour thrown in for good measure.
Formed early 2002, Ignition Entertainment has been busy publishing a range of budget PlayStation and Game Boy Advance titles. But 2003 will see the firm concentrate exclusively on all 128 bit consoles and the PC. In addition to Super Farm, Ignition has Jimmy Whites ‘Cueball X’ for the Xbox, waiting to be unleashed, with another 2 major new titles from Awesome nearing completion. As if that weren’t enough there are a further three 3rd party titles lined up for Next Gen Consoles and the PC appearing between Q4 ’03 and Q2 ‘04.
“I wrote my first game in 1977 - 26 years ago,” says MacLean, “and I have never tired of this ever-changing industry. The Ignition deal is a developer’s dream – I’m able to run my own studio without the pressure of seeking third-party publishing deals and the grief that goes with it, whilst also keeping a look out for additional games to acquire and/or publish. Ignition Entertainment is a new concept in publishing – one that allows us to put the focus back onto original and fun games that also have a quality feel, and are aimed at all audiences. Super Farm is just the start.”
Super Farm is due for release on PlayStation 2 at the end of September 2003, SRP £24.99. Jimmy White’s Cueball World will be available on PC and Xbox during Q4 2004.
Archer MacLean, one of the industry’s most respected developers, has adopted a fresh role with UK-based firm Ignition Entertainment as the company looks to expand its operations onto next-generation consoles.
Archer has joined Ignition as Creative Director, with the remit of bringing his 25 years of experience in game design and coding across the entire Ignition range. Furthermore, Awesome Developments – Archer’s 30-strong development team, previously responsible for smash-hit titles such as Jimmy White’s Cueball 2, Cueball World, as well his older titles such as the seminal karate classic IK+ and Dropzone – will provide titles exclusively for Ignition. In addition, Archer’s role will involve sourcing and managing the development of third-party titles which will be published by Ignition.
The first of these next-generation titles is Super Farm from Asobo Studio, a cartoon style madcap-melee combat game, which is due for release on PlayStation 2 at the end of September. The game mixes an original set of bizarre farmyard characters with classic single- and multi-player arcade combat, providing one of the most entertaining arena-based romps in years. Its suggested retail price is £24.99. And like Shrek the film, it has teenage fun appeal, but with a dose of somewhat adult humour thrown in for good measure.
Formed early 2002, Ignition Entertainment has been busy publishing a range of budget PlayStation and Game Boy Advance titles. But 2003 will see the firm concentrate exclusively on all 128 bit consoles and the PC. In addition to Super Farm, Ignition has Jimmy Whites ‘Cueball X’ for the Xbox, waiting to be unleashed, with another 2 major new titles from Awesome nearing completion. As if that weren’t enough there are a further three 3rd party titles lined up for Next Gen Consoles and the PC appearing between Q4 ’03 and Q2 ‘04.
“I wrote my first game in 1977 - 26 years ago,” says MacLean, “and I have never tired of this ever-changing industry. The Ignition deal is a developer’s dream – I’m able to run my own studio without the pressure of seeking third-party publishing deals and the grief that goes with it, whilst also keeping a look out for additional games to acquire and/or publish. Ignition Entertainment is a new concept in publishing – one that allows us to put the focus back onto original and fun games that also have a quality feel, and are aimed at all audiences. Super Farm is just the start.”
Super Farm is due for release on PlayStation 2 at the end of September 2003, SRP £24.99. Jimmy White’s Cueball World will be available on PC and Xbox during Q4 2004.