Video Games
Blumhouse Games – Blumhouse Launches New Subsidiary to Produce Original Horror Video Games
Bloody Disgusting has learned this morning that Blumhouse, the multimedia company, is launching a new subsidiary to produce and publish video games. The company has appointed Zach Wood as President and Don Sechler as CFO of the new venture.
Blumhouse Games will partner with independent game developers to bring their creative vision to life via original, horror-themed games for console, PC and mobile audiences. In the spirit of its film business, Blumhouse Games will target indie-budget games (below $10M) to enable innovation and pushing creative boundaries.
“For some time we have been looking to build out a team to start accessing the growth opportunity in interactive media. When we sat with Zach and Don they articulated an approach that resonated with Blumhouse’s model and we knew it was a perfect place for us to start our push into the interactive space.” said Abhijay Prakash, Blumhouse President. “With their experience, sensibility and knowledge of the gaming marketplace Zach and Don are the ideal leaders to leverage Blumhouse’s unique genre strengths into gaming.”
“Through my time in the industry, I’ve had the good fortune of working closely with developers to bring their ideas to life. There’s a unique opportunity for horror and genre in the indie game space, and I’m thrilled about teaming up with Blumhouse to meaningfully leverage the company’s brand, reputation, and creative talent,” said Zach Wood.
At the end of last year, Blumhouse and James Wan’s Atomic Monster announced their merger plans, which are expected to close in the next few months. The entry into video games will provide the combined company an exciting new area for creative collaboration.
Wood has been a video game producer for more than 25 years and has shipped over 30 games on every major platform — from the Game Boy to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The games range from large-teamed AAA to award-winning indie darlings, like Sound Shapes, Hohokum, The Unfinished Swan and Bound at Santa Monica Studio/PlayStation; Prey: MooncrashandRedfall at Arkane/Bethesda; and most recently, a stint with Iron Galaxy.
Before joining Blumhouse Games, Sechler headed finance, operations, and strategy for Sony PlayStation’s publisher and developer relations function, where he helped to structure and execute business development deals for the development, marketing, and distribution of games ranging from the largest IP in video games to first time developers. Upon joining the team in 2013, he was a key team member reforming the culture of PlayStation’s relationship with third party game creators, culminating in the investment of over $150 million in indie game content, generating significant returns for creators. He also created the team that advises game makers on industry best practices that help optimize the engagement and monetization of their content.
Retroware surprised everyone last year with the announcement that they’re working on a throwback beat-’em-up based on the Toxic Crusaders cartoon. Grab your mop and get ready: the side-scrolling beat ’em up game is heading our way later this year.
Toxic Crusaders is now available to preorder on Steam, with the game set for Fall 2024 release. Exact date TBA.
Developer and publisher Retroware has teamed up with Troma Entertainment to bring the characters from the 1991 cartoon “Toxic Crusaders” back, for an all-new, all-action beat ’em up for one to four players.
In the game, “When the evil Dr. Killemoff attacks, only one team of hideously deformed creatures of superhuman size and strength stands between him and his plans for global pollution: the Toxic Crusaders, Earth’s last, greatest and ugliest hope for survival! Battle across seven disgusting levels rendered in vibrant pixel art as you defend Tromaville from hordes of Radiation Rangers, mutated thugs and zombie chickens. The odds might be stacked against you but with awesome powers, a winning personality, and up to four-players on your side, the Smogulan Empire’s days are numbered!
“Choose from seven playable characters, including Toxie, No-Zone, Junkyard, Major Disaster, and Headbanger – plus, for the first time, play as Toxie’s musically “gifted” girlfriend Yvonne, and the mother of all mothers, Mrs. Junko, Toxie’s mom!”
Considering this is set in Tromaville, it’s a safe bet that we’ll see more Troma characters beyond the Crusaders here. Toxic Crusaders will also feature fully voice-acted motion comic cutscenes, featuring voice acting by TeamFourStar, industry veterans, and of course, Troma actors.
Check out the gameplay demo below for a closer look at the Toxic Crusaders in action.
Toxic Crusaders is coming soon to Xbox Series X + S, Playstation 4 + 5, Steam, Nintendo Switch, and the Epic Games Store. But you can wishlist on Steam in the meantime.
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