DoctorFinger
10-05-2008, 07:18 AM
Our very own Sazime (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/member.php?u=39) had the chance to attend a very...different gaming event recently. This is his report - complete with images - from the coming out party for developer Frozen Codebase's WFTDA Roller Derby title.
Roller Derby. If there's anything in this world that comes close to full contact racing, this is it. The rules are pretty simple, in fact, so simple I'll let Wikipedia educate you (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_derby#Rules)! But to break it down, it goes a little something like this.
Two teams of five travel around a track counterclockwise. One player on each team, called a Jammer, is intent on scoring points by passing the other teams' defenders; three Blockers and one Pivot. This group of each teams' defenders is called the Pack. Each time a Jammer makes it past a Blocker or Pivot, that teams earns a point. This Jam, as it's called, lasts 2 minutes. The first pass does not garner any points, but does determine the Lead Jammer. The Lead Jammer can stop the jam at any time by signaling the referee. Yes there's more to it, but that's the basics.
This goes on for either two 30 minute or three 20 minute periods. The team with the most points scored by their Jammer wins. Pretty simple, right? Well, ever been roller skating? Imagine doing it with four very tough, agile and detmined women trying to stop you. Want to know more? Well, the Women's Flat Track Derby Association's website (http://www.wftda.com/) has quite the bit of info, and trust me. Like any sport the more you think about it, the more complicated it can become.
What does this have to do with video games, my friends? Well Frozen Codebase (http://frozencodebase.com/), developer of the upcoming Zombie Wranglers as well as XBLA titles Screwjumper and Elements of Destruction, signed an exclusive contract (http://www.wftda.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/rollerderbyvideogamepr_wftda_fcb.pdf) with the WFTDA to make a game based on their league.
Why Roller Derby? Currently there are over 300 teams in 50 cities, with the sport only growing in popularity. If you watch much TV or see much pre-press about these "moving pictures" that seem to be all the rage these days, you see the sport popping up more and more. While it's been some time since TNN's Roller Jam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RollerJam), it since has been the subject of multiple documentaries, an episode of Psych (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189429/) as well as the subject of Drew Barrymore's first feature film, Whip It! (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172233/)
It is unusual any more for any sport or past-time not in the public to the forefront of the common consciousness. In recent memory, only mixed martial arts, and in that case primarily the UFC, have had much success in growing a brand and developing an audience. We all remember how long the XFL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XFL) lasted, don't we? Since 2004, more than 60 teams and 43 leagues have joined the WFTDA. Just this year leagues from Canada are being brought into the fold. Most recently, USA Roller Sports (http://www.usarollersports.org/) became involved as well. Each year, more leagues join and more teams are added to the list of competitors.
Given the popularity of Tony Hawk and Skate, indoor motor-sports, snowboarding and any number of other games that can fall under the 'extreme' moniker, why not Roller Derby? Going over the list of teams, it's pretty amazing to see how active the WFTDA is. Not only on the coasts, but everywhere in between. Hell, they even have a team in South Dakota. With the constant growth and upcoming press that teams will get with a Hollywood film coming out about the sport, Frozen Codebase is in prime position to not only grab a market before anyone else, but introduce a whole new audience to it.
Earlier this year, during the Austin GDC, the Texas Rollergirls and Mad Rollin Dolls (two different WFTDA leagues) joined up with Frozen Codebase to help promote not only the game, but also introduce folks at the conference to the experience. I can tell you that I, for one, had no idea that this sport still existed in any great capacity. If I was not aware of it, well, you can imagine that there are plenty of other gamers that were completely unaware (yes, tooting my own knowledge horn here, trying to make a point). Upon seeing the pictures of the GDC event I can only say that I'll be making trips to see my own B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls play a game or two. If you have been looking at the images on the right, you get an idea of what's going on.
Up to know, not a lot has been shown, but Frozen Codebase currently has a few of the WFTDA teams in game and other players from various leagues. While platforms have not been announced yet, know this. THQ and Konami are both working with Frozen Codebase on projects, and they are approved to work on the 360, PS3 and Wii. While up to now they have worked primarily on XBLA games, members of their team (including CEO Ben Geisler) are not strangers to AAA projects. Keep an eye out, we've got a new team sport on the rise.
Roller Derby. If there's anything in this world that comes close to full contact racing, this is it. The rules are pretty simple, in fact, so simple I'll let Wikipedia educate you (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_derby#Rules)! But to break it down, it goes a little something like this.
Two teams of five travel around a track counterclockwise. One player on each team, called a Jammer, is intent on scoring points by passing the other teams' defenders; three Blockers and one Pivot. This group of each teams' defenders is called the Pack. Each time a Jammer makes it past a Blocker or Pivot, that teams earns a point. This Jam, as it's called, lasts 2 minutes. The first pass does not garner any points, but does determine the Lead Jammer. The Lead Jammer can stop the jam at any time by signaling the referee. Yes there's more to it, but that's the basics.
This goes on for either two 30 minute or three 20 minute periods. The team with the most points scored by their Jammer wins. Pretty simple, right? Well, ever been roller skating? Imagine doing it with four very tough, agile and detmined women trying to stop you. Want to know more? Well, the Women's Flat Track Derby Association's website (http://www.wftda.com/) has quite the bit of info, and trust me. Like any sport the more you think about it, the more complicated it can become.
What does this have to do with video games, my friends? Well Frozen Codebase (http://frozencodebase.com/), developer of the upcoming Zombie Wranglers as well as XBLA titles Screwjumper and Elements of Destruction, signed an exclusive contract (http://www.wftda.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/rollerderbyvideogamepr_wftda_fcb.pdf) with the WFTDA to make a game based on their league.
Why Roller Derby? Currently there are over 300 teams in 50 cities, with the sport only growing in popularity. If you watch much TV or see much pre-press about these "moving pictures" that seem to be all the rage these days, you see the sport popping up more and more. While it's been some time since TNN's Roller Jam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RollerJam), it since has been the subject of multiple documentaries, an episode of Psych (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189429/) as well as the subject of Drew Barrymore's first feature film, Whip It! (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1172233/)
It is unusual any more for any sport or past-time not in the public to the forefront of the common consciousness. In recent memory, only mixed martial arts, and in that case primarily the UFC, have had much success in growing a brand and developing an audience. We all remember how long the XFL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XFL) lasted, don't we? Since 2004, more than 60 teams and 43 leagues have joined the WFTDA. Just this year leagues from Canada are being brought into the fold. Most recently, USA Roller Sports (http://www.usarollersports.org/) became involved as well. Each year, more leagues join and more teams are added to the list of competitors.
Given the popularity of Tony Hawk and Skate, indoor motor-sports, snowboarding and any number of other games that can fall under the 'extreme' moniker, why not Roller Derby? Going over the list of teams, it's pretty amazing to see how active the WFTDA is. Not only on the coasts, but everywhere in between. Hell, they even have a team in South Dakota. With the constant growth and upcoming press that teams will get with a Hollywood film coming out about the sport, Frozen Codebase is in prime position to not only grab a market before anyone else, but introduce a whole new audience to it.
Earlier this year, during the Austin GDC, the Texas Rollergirls and Mad Rollin Dolls (two different WFTDA leagues) joined up with Frozen Codebase to help promote not only the game, but also introduce folks at the conference to the experience. I can tell you that I, for one, had no idea that this sport still existed in any great capacity. If I was not aware of it, well, you can imagine that there are plenty of other gamers that were completely unaware (yes, tooting my own knowledge horn here, trying to make a point). Upon seeing the pictures of the GDC event I can only say that I'll be making trips to see my own B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls play a game or two. If you have been looking at the images on the right, you get an idea of what's going on.
Up to know, not a lot has been shown, but Frozen Codebase currently has a few of the WFTDA teams in game and other players from various leagues. While platforms have not been announced yet, know this. THQ and Konami are both working with Frozen Codebase on projects, and they are approved to work on the 360, PS3 and Wii. While up to now they have worked primarily on XBLA games, members of their team (including CEO Ben Geisler) are not strangers to AAA projects. Keep an eye out, we've got a new team sport on the rise.