The developers of Gamebook Adventures, Tin Man Games, have secured the license to develop and publish iPhone, iPad and Android apps based on Blood of the Zombies, the long-awaited Fighting Fantasy gamebook from Ian Livingstone, written to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain and 30 years of Fighting Fantasy.
Fighting Fantasy, created by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, was the first and most famous gamebook series with over 60 titles having been released since the first book, Warlock of Firetop Mountain back in 1982. In the new Fighting Fantasy adventure, Blood of the Zombies, YOU are kidnapped and wake up in chains in an underground cell of a castle in a remote part of Romania to discover the castle is owned by a megalomaniac who is running a secret scientific programme – injecting hundreds of prisoners with Zombie blood! You are next in line. Can you kill all the Zombies or will you become one of them too?
Ian Livingstone said, “I almost forgot how much fun it is to write a Fighting Fantasy gamebook, especially designing fiendish ways of luring readers down the wrong path! When I started writing Blood of the Zombies I wasn’t sure whether I should be aiming it at the 10 year-old
Tin Man Games Pty Ltd – Media Release
readers of 1982 or the 40 year-olds they are now, not to mention the young adults of today! But it has been a lot of fun, and the positive comments I received from people whilst writing it really spurred me on. I hope Blood of the Zombies is a worthy addition to the series. I’m really pleased to be working with Tin Man Games on the digital version as they are acknowledged experts with a proven track record. But I’m not sure how the readers will cope when they find out they can’t cheat!”
The Blood of the Zombies iOS and Android apps will be developed using Tin Man Games’ critically acclaimed gamebook engine. The interactive digital book will act like its real counterpart with animated page turning and selectable choices on each page to enable the reader to choose their path through the story. Alongside an automated Adventure Sheet, which shows skill, stamina and objects found, the engine also uses realistic physics based 3D dice that can be rolled by shaking the digital device. Tin Man Games will be pulling out all the stops to make the Fighting Fantasy experience as authentic as possible.
Neil Rennison, Creative Director for Tin Man Games, said: “I don’t think it’s any secret that Gamebook Adventures was inspired by Fighting Fantasy. Therefore it is an absolute honour to have the responsibility of creating the 30th anniversary gamebook apps. Somewhere back in the mid 80’s a 10 year old Neil is staring at the future me with his jaw on the floor!”
Beyond Blood of the Zombies, Tin Man Games will also be bringing a number of the other Fighting Fantasy books to iOS and Android, with Steve Jackson’s House of Hell slated as the second release later in the year. Check out more of the latest and greatest gaming experiences on TL Android Games to enjoy on your phone.
Steve Jackson said: “We have long admired what Tin Man Games is doing with gamebook apps, from a design and from a gameplay perspective. So it’s great to be working with them in bringing new Fighting Fantasy adventures to iOS and Android. We’re really looking forward to seeing what Neil and Ben will do with FF. I know we’ll be impressed!”
Blood of the Zombies will be released simultaneously alongside the printed book being published by Icon Books in August 2012.
It will be available to download from the App Store and Google Play.
The Official Fighting Fantasy site: http://www.FightingFantasy.com
The Gamebook Adventures website: http://www.GamebookAdventures.com
Tin Man Games – Developer blog: http://www.TinManGames.com.au
Icon Books: http://www.IconBooks.co.uk
