GW Signs Agreement with Zattikka for a 40k Titan Game

March 12, 2013 6 Comments

More tablet-games based on Games Workshop are in the making. The iPad adaptation of Warhammer Quest by Rodeo Games should be nearing a publishing date. Now a company called Zattikka, which produces both Facebook and tablet games (e.g. Maze Ninja) released a press statement that they’ve signed a digital publishing agreement with Games Workshop.

There are Warhammer 40K Titans (!) on their way in a pixel-format. Hooray!

#1 – Zattikka Press Statement

Zattikka signs digital publishing agreement with Games Workshop®

ZATTIKKA PLC (‘ZATTIKKA’ OR THE ‘COMPANY’)

LONDON, MARCH 12, 2013

Zattikka, the digital games entertainment group, is pleased to announce it has signed a license agreement with Games Workshop®, the UK quoted specialist of fantasy tabletop miniatures, games and novels, to develop tactical, 3D isometric, free to play games based on the gigantic city leveling Titans from their world renowned Warhammer® 40,000® universe.

Warhammer 40,000 is one of the most recognisable ‘science-fantasy world’ genres and forms the basis of a number of Games Workshop’s tabletop, role-play, board, card and gaming products. Today’s announcement will see Zattikka develop a game incorporating single, multi-player and social gaming modes, delivering both single and chain mission tactical experiences across a broad platform range, including PC/Mac and tablets.

The game will be developed in the Company’s US game studios, and is expected to launch next year. Zattikka will also develop additional downloadable content, designed to prolong the gaming experience well after its initial launch.

The Warhammer 40,000 franchise was originally launched in 1987 and now boasts a huge range of products including world leading wargames, New York Times bestselling novels, and multi million unit selling video games, as well as multiple card, board and roleplaying games.

Mark Opzoomer, CEO of Zattikka commented:

“We are delighted to be working with Games Workshop on such a prestigious and important gaming franchise. Warhammer 40,000 is one of the most globally recognisable science fantasy genres, appealing to a broad cross section of gamers.”

Jon Gillard, Head of Licensing of Games Workshop commented:

“Titans have been around since the early days of Warhammer 40,000 when they first appeared in our ‘Adeptus Titanicus’ game, and have been a firm fan favourite ever since. Seeing these massive engines of destruction fight it out in an online game is going to be fantastic.”

Warhammer 40K Titan Game

Soon stomping in “tactical, 3D isometric, free to play”

#2 – About Zattikka

Here is what it says about the company in the press statement:

About Zattikka:

Zattikka plc is a digital games entertainment group, developing games and providing publishing services in this sector of the rapidly evolving multi-billion dollar global digital entertainment market. Zattikka is executing a clear vision to become a large scale, diverse games publisher through strategic acquisitions and by accelerating organic growth. Headquartered in the United Kingdom with shares listed on London’s AIM (ZATT), Zattikka games studios include Sneaky Games (USA), Spellgun (USA and China) and Hattrick (Europe). Business to business services include high quality game art and design services provided by Concept Art House (USA and China) and in-game analytics insights through its bespoke SNAP technology platform developed in London.

#3 – My Thoughts

Zattikka, a company I haven’t heard of till  today, appears to have several games out, including browser-games, facebook-games and iPad/iPhone games. Still, the “fit” with Games Workshop is (to me) not as immediately clear as with Rodeo Games and Warhammer Quest.

For the latter, it is easy to see how the game-play of games such as Hunters 2 will be translated (and improved, I hope) for a licensed Games Workshop game.

With Zattikka, and their more lighthearted, casual games like Maze Ninja, it’s harder to see where this might be going. Especially for something involving Titans (which is, as all Warhammer 40.000 things are, arguably the bigger franchise than Warhammer Quest).

On the other hand, it’s supposed to be free-to-play.

Only time will tell, I suppose.

Z.

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About Zweischneid

Hi. I am Zweischneid. Wargame Addict. Miniature Connoisseur. Aspiring Blogger. Did you like this post? Follow me on Twitter or Facebook for more. And don't forget to share your favourite miniature pictures and wargaming videos at www.pinsofwar.net.

  • Ruska

    I’m a little disappointed with the trend of game developers pushing the Free to Play model. I realize that they do it because it ends up being more profitable in the long run for them (otherwise nobody would be doing it), but too many times I’ve gotten excited about a game only to discover it’s really more like Pay to Win. I’m fine with a flat subscription or an up-front purchase with optional DLC, I just don’t want to feel like I’m being squeezed for cash every chance they get.

    • http://pinsofwar.net/ Zweischneid

      Very true….

      Escapist Magazine had an article recently that hits a similar note http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/experienced-points/10226-Not-Greedy-Just-Clueless?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=all

      The “free-to-play” as “we’re constantly trying to sell you something” is really obnoxious, even if it ends up “cheaper” than a game purchased up-front in the “traditional way”.

    • Azrell

      Free to play is the new game model. The idea being that multiplayer games are more fun with more people to play with, and a free game will “cycle” more people than the traditional model.

      Yes it can be done wrong, by offering advantages to player that pay. Hence “pay to win”, that people often complain about. But allot of games get it right. MWO, Star conflict, Battle Nations are good examples of games that give more options to paying customers but you can get along just fine without paying a cent. The “pay for” Mechs in MWO for example offer you better pay outs on games thus helping you “grind” out in game money faster but a “free” mech in the hands of a good player will take you down every time. So your only paying to open up more options and dont really get an advantage vs other players in a match.

      Unfortunately studios that produced excellent games under the old model have been pushed out by the more profitable free to play model. DOW2 and relic studios is a good example of what can happen when you don’t understand the market and the model before its too late. Yes they did have other problems internally but at the end of the DOW2 cycle they started looking at DOW3 at a free to play multi player model.

      In the end if the game designer understands that players will pay to unlock things faster than the free players but still allow everyone to get there and play on equal ground, the games can be an awesome platform for multi player.

      • Ruska

        I totally agree with you that Free to Play can be an excellent model when done right; I had a great time playing League of Legends. I guess I’m just a little cynical about it because many times it feels like it’s just too hard to be competitive if you aren’t actively making IAP.

  • Azrell

    Weirdly i have hunters 2 and its a perfect fit for GW. It looks FANTASTIC, but the game play was designed as an after thought. Soooo perfect fit for GW.

    • http://pinsofwar.net/ Zweischneid

      Oh ok.. doesn’t sound promising for Warhammer Quest I guess.

      What’s wrong with Hunters 2 gameplay?