May 12th, 2005 (7:25pm) - The Game Developers’ Association of Australia (GDAA), Australia’s governing body for the Australian video game industry, in conjunction with the support of the Australian Trade Commission, Brisbane City Council, City of Melbourne, Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Invest Australia, New South Wales Government, Queensland Government, ScreenACT, South Australian Government, Velocity Brisbane, Victorian Government and the Western Australian Government, is extending an invitation to show attendees and media alike to stop by its booth (West Hall, booth #2240) at this year’s E3 Expo as it will be showing off a number of new and exciting video game titles, which have been developed in Australia by Australian companies.
Some of the companies and their titles/products/services include:
1. TY the Tasmanian Tiger 3 – Krome Studios (www.kromestudios.com) - Platforms: PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA
In TY the Tasmanian Tiger 3, TY and his mates face their biggest challenge yet: an otherworldly invasion by an ancient evil. TY 3 features a unique array of interesting indigenous animals inspired by the Australian Outback including the loveable TY, who is based on the thought-to-be-extinct Tasmanian tiger.
2. BigWorld Technology Suite V1.6 - Bigworld (www.bigworldtech.com) – Platform: Online
The BigWorld Technology Suite is an integrated set of tools, software, and systems that provides all of the underlying technology and content development tools required to produce a Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG). The system, now licensed for use in 43 different upcoming games, provides MMOG studios with the ideal base on which to build the next generation of online games.
3. Tactica Online – Imaginary Numbers (www.imaginarynumbers.com) – Platform: Online
Tactica Online (TO) is a turn-based strategy RPG set in da Vinci’s world and is one of the first persistent online strategy games. TO does not require a subscription fee and features regular expansion releases. The game allows players to design their own group of characters, which is a whole sub-game in itself, similar to a collectible card game like Magic: The Gathering. In TO, everyone competes on a level playing field and no levelling up is required.
4. Scavenger – Ratbag (www.ratbag.com) - Platform: PS2
Scavenger’s hero is a loner battling for his survival and searching for a sister sold into slavery. Scavenging, trading and raiding, he builds up his arsenal of weapons to wreak revenge on the men who took her. Centred around a huge desert wasteland, the game features convoy attacks (players pit their skills against escorted convoys to try and steal their cargo) and allows players to trade to increase their wealth, align themselves with different factions, and increase their attack power by modifying their vehicles and upgrading weapons.
5. Rugby League 2 – Tru Blu Entertainment (www.trublu.com.au) - Platforms: PS2, PC
Rugby League 2 introduces the all-new Franchise mode, which allows League fans the chance to strategically manage their favorite teams - right down to preparing training schedules, negotiating contracts and managing player injuries.
6. Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006 – Auran (www.auran.com) - Platforms: PS2, Xbox, PC
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006 sets new standards of realism and immersion in operating a virtual railroad. This new title from Auran includes different modules such as "Surveyor", where players can create vast environments and routes, and "Driver", where players jump aboard and control one or more trains on pre-made or custom routes.
7. Heroes of the Pacific - IR Gurus (www.irgurus.com) - Platforms: PS2, Xbox, PC
Beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor, this flight combat game puts players in the middle of some of the most intense naval conflict in WWII’s Pacific Theater. This epic story unfolds through 30 missions taken from real events of the U.S. Navy’s campaign in the Pacific, in hotspots like Midway Island, the Coral Sea, Wake Island, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal.
8. HotDogs Hotgals! – Fuzzyeyes Studios (www.fuzzyeyes.com) - Platforms: PS2, PC
HotDogs HotGals! is a highly stylised business simulation game featuring hundreds of the latest fashions beautifully designed and created to high quality. The game features bright and distinctive shop environments, and lively varied music designed to provide the player with an easy, laid back ride.
9. Cyber Snipa™ PC Gaming Hardware Devices – Flexiglow (www.flexiglow.com.au)
Flexiglow will be showing its new line of Cyber Snipa (CS) PC gaming input devices at E3 2005. Leading this range is the CS Game pad, a universal First Person Shooter (FPS) Keypad. Other additions to the range include the CS Keyboard, Mouse and Mouse Pad, which connect via USB connectivity. These hot-pluggable devices link together to form the ultimate FPS gaming workspace.
