Interview with Scott March, CEO of Spidermonk Entertainment, about Roogoo Twisted Towers and Roogoo Attack.

What is the basic premise behind Roogoo?

A unique shape matching twitch like arcade puzzle like game,
You have to put the right shape down the correct hole.

What is the origin of the name?

We wanted a cute little guy that had a unique name that stood out. For some strange reason, Roogoo felt like a turning twisting game for a crazy little character.

What's the best play on words you've heard involving the title? Like kajaroogoo or kangaroogoo?

RooGuru




What has changed since the original version?

Loads of new content:

  • Several level bosses that do very neat things while you’re playing the game.
  • New shaped and arched curves. The shapes follow spline curves around the environment instead of straight down.
  • We have a new mode where you can catch shapes as they fall off. This is kind of a redeem your shape count while playing.
  • We have new Sky diving modes where you fall from the sky and collect shapes. We have multiple mini-games where you collect shapes, and butterflies with your net.
  • There are 90+ levels in the game.
  • The game also will share game content between both Roogoo Twisted Towers on the Wii and Roogoo Attack on the DS.

How will the touch screen or microphone be used on the DS?

The Touch screen will be used to select levels, and mainly used in the SkyDiving levels.  You will use the DS pen to rotate Roogoo collecting shapes in circles while falling to Planet Roo, avioding and shooting enemies.

How will motion work into the Wii version?

The biggest example is the net. You will have a net where you can collect falling shapes that dont make it into the correct shape hole. You will also use the net to catch butterflies, Bats, and Fish in various levels for more points. A friend can assist you in single player mode and help you catch missed shapes and collect these creatures. You will also have a magical hammer that can shoot various items and enemies in the game. Roogoo is tricky on its own, but once you get the basics down you can use all of these other additions to your advantage.

What were the challenges of bringing a PC/360 title to the Wii/DS?

The biggest challenges where adding so much new and creative content with so many additional gameplay mechanics. We really wanted to add a ton of new content to both Wii and DS platforms. They have a core value or game play mechanic, but both Wii and DS games offer many different and new things. We wanted the DS and Wii to stand on there own as separate games, and also stand apart as higher end games with much more to offer then the 360/PC games. With these games being retail products needed to have more full featured value. This with 90-120 levels on both platforms with shared unlockable levels between them we are offering a ton of new stuff.

Any consideration to bring Roogoo to the PSP or PSN?

We would love to do modified and new versions fit for these platforms, maybe even a new look. I think that’s something Sony would have to decide.

Is there enough new content to justify the purchase for someone who already owns the original?

Totally… any fan or Roogoo that has a DS or Wii would find this out really fast. They may need to play into it a little farther to get some of the "real meat" but would be into super fast. The DS makes for such a great multiplayer game with the single cart play with up to four players.

The attacking modes on the DS are just a blast. If anyone likes Mario Kart with a shape matching twist, they will like Roogoo Attack on the DS.

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Both versions of Roogoo are out this summer for the Nintendo Wii and DS. We'd like to thank Scott Marsh for the interview, and remind everyone to check back for more Roogoogoodness closer to release.