Being a huge football fan, when news updating on the status of NaturalMotion’s Backbreaker came across my desk, I told my secretary to cancel all my appointments for the remainder of the day, and yes that included my weekly tea and crumpets with dear old grandma.
Ok, seriously, this game has been on my mind since witnesses the glorious trailer back in April of 2008 and one of the biggest attention getters is the fact that it uses the Euphoria engine; a dynamic physics engine that calculates physical interactions (specifically tackles) on the fly, rather than using pre-determined keyframe animation or motion capture*cough*Madden*cough*. If you remember, Euphoria was the engines behind GTA IV and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed…now imagine that power behind Read Dead Redemption, Max Payne 3, and Backbreaker. However, I digress, the point is that Backbreaker very well could be Madden’s biggest opponent yet, check out the fact sheet, trailer, and exclusive art below.
Setting a new standard in football video games, Backbreaker rushes the genre with a new playbook for hard‐hitting action.
Players take control of an unmatched on‐field experience boasting realistic, physics‐based AI for an endless variety of unique
sacks and tackles, making canned animations a last‐season memory. With crisp high‐definition graphics and a third‐person
camera angle that follows the perspective of the ball handler, Backbreaker puts players in the heart of the game. Rookies can
easily pick‐up‐and‐play thanks to Backbreaker’s intuitive Arcade Mode control scheme, while veteran players can enjoy the
game’s more difficult Pro Mode that turns off AI assists.
Backbreaker also boasts online multiplayer for up to four players and split‐screen multiplayer modes. With total team
customization, players can create their own rosters and adjust their team’s colors, logos and more. Going on the offense from
kickoff to end zone, Backbreaker is how football was meant to be played on next‐gen consoles. Players can hit the gridiron with
Backbreaker for Xbox 360™ and PLAYSTATION®3 platforms in spring 2010.
Key Features
- Break out from the Pack: Backbreaker redefines standard football games with intuitive plays, an endless variety of unique tackles and outcomes based on actual in‐game collisions
- Jump Straight Into Action: Backbreaker offers intuitive controls for casual sports fans intimidated by the complexities and learning curve of other football games
- Feel the Explosive, Hard‐Hitting Tackles: Gone are the days of rigid, canned animations. NaturalMotion’s euphoria engine delivers high quality, hard‐hitting, true‐to‐life action, giving players an unparalleled experience on the gridiron
- Look Through the One‐of‐a‐kind Camera View: Backbreaker’s camera system has been designed to complement the controls, with techniques such as shake and dynamic field‐of‐view changes that give the game its distinct ‘on‐the‐field’ feel, aiding the player by dynamically framing the action
- Watch JumboTron‐Worthy Graphics & Instant Replay: Backbreaker uses state‐of‐the‐art animation and rendering technology for high definition dazzle. The instant replay system allows players to celebrate each tackle or touchdown, complete with reactions from crowds 90,000 strong
- Throw the Pigskin Online: Backbreaker supports extensive online functionality including competitive and team co‐op (live and split‐screen) gameplay online, and the ability to play in exhibition mode with up to four players
- Choose Between Powerful or Precise Plays: In evasive mode, players are more agile and can dodge, turn and jump to avoid threats, though they are more likely to fumble when tackled. In aggressive mode, players can stiff arm and fight through linemen, run faster and fend off big hits and tackles
[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://download.naturalmotion.com/video/BB_28mb.wmv[/pro-player]
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Publisher: 505 Games
Developer: NaturalMotion
Platforms: Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Release Date: Q2 2010 Genre: Sports ‐ Action
tackles and outcomes based on actual in‐game collisions
Jump Straight Into Action: Backbreaker offers intuitive controls for casual sports fans intimidated by the complexities and
learning curve of other football games
Feel the Explosive, Hard‐Hitting Tackles: Gone are the days of rigid, canned animations. NaturalMotion’s euphoria engine
delivers high quality, hard‐hitting, true‐to‐life action, giving players an unparalleled experience on the gridiron
Look Through the One‐of‐a‐kind Camera View: Backbreaker’s camera system has been designed to complement the
controls, with techniques such as shake and dynamic field‐of‐view changes that give the game its distinct ‘on‐the‐field’ feel,
aiding the player by dynamically framing the action
Watch JumboTron‐Worthy Graphics & Instant Replay: Backbreaker uses state‐of‐the‐art animation and rendering
technology for high definition dazzle. The instant replay system allows players to celebrate each tackle or touchdown,
complete with reactions from crowds 90,000 strong
Throw the Pigskin Online: Backbreaker supports extensive online functionality including competitive and team co‐op (live
and split‐screen) gameplay online, and the ability to play in exhibition mode with up to four players
Choose Between Powerful or Precise Plays: In evasive mode, players are more agile and can dodge, turn and jump to avoid
threats, though they are more likely to fumble when tackled. In aggressive mode, players can stiff arm and fight through
linemen, run faster and fend off big hits and tackles
