Summary
Atari's latest podcast features a deep dive into "Centipede Swarm," a reimagined multiplayer version of the classic arcade game, designed specifically for Amazon's Luna platform. Matt Rathel, CEO of Graphite Lab, and Mark Perloff, senior producer at Atari, discuss the game's development, emphasizing its family-friendly co-op gameplay. The game retains familiar elements from the original, such as centipedes and mushrooms, while introducing new mechanics like the "Megapede" and a central well that players must defend.
The hosts highlight the game's accessibility, allowing up to four players to join in using their phones as controllers. They explain how the game incorporates roguelike elements, enabling players to upgrade their characters and abilities between waves. The collaboration with Amazon is noted as a significant factor in enhancing the game's scope and functionality, with both Rathel and Perloff praising the seamless integration of technology and gameplay design. The podcast concludes with encouragement for listeners to try the game and share their experiences.
Show Notes
If you know anything about Atari, you know about Centipede. The legendary arcade game's timeless gameplay has remained a fixture in Atari's catalogue that's persevered through generations. The title has appeared on multiple platforms in different iterations, but never quite like this. Enter Centipede Swarm. Recently launched exclusively on Amazon Luna GameNight, Centipede Swarm reimagines the classic title as a bullet heaven co-op experience that takes cues from the original, but is built from the ground up for the pick-up-and-play GameNight platform. Joining me to tell us all about it are Mark Perloff (senior producer at Atari) and Matt Raithel (studio director of Graphite Lab). We go deep into the game's mechanics and what it was like working on this collaboration.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/k4zx4TT7uaA
Play Centipede Swarm on Amazon Luna GameNight: https://luna.amazon.com/game/centipede-swarm/B0FP79K7WS
Join the Atari Club on Discord: https://discord.gg/atariclub
Follow us:
Atari: X: https://x.com/atari BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/atari.com
Graphite Lab: https://x.com/graphitelab Matt Raithel: https://x.com/raitheoshow
Jason Polansky: https://bsky.app/profile/jaysofdoom.bsky.social
More from Official Atari Games Podcast
Earlier this year, when Atari acquired Thunderful Games, it came with talent that led to its sterling reputation as an indie games publisher. One example of that is Andreas Beijer, creative director at Atari (formerly at Thunderful). Having contributed to hit games like this year's Planet of Lana II and REPLACED, he has a clear, if not so obvious, impact on a plethora of critically acclaimed indie games released over the last decade. How did he get to this point? What goes into making a game fun? And what's it like making a Stadia-exclusive game? Andreas was kind enough to join me and answer all these questions and more. Please enjoy!
One month after a certain "tactical espionage action" game debuted, Thief snuck its way onto PC with a radically different approach.. Its tough-as-nails stealth systems demand you take your time and plan the perfect heist as you sneak through the shadows, leverage low-tech gadgets like fire arrows, and only resort to combat as a last resort. It was successful enough to lead to many sequels across generations and inspire countless games that followed. So here we are now, 28 years after its initial release, with a remaster with the love and care that only Nightdive can deliver. Joining me to dive into the details are Nightdive's Daniel Grayshon (Director) and Josh Dowell (Programmer).
Hot on the heels of our last Toy Story podcast, we're back to cover the other half of our upcoming double release: Toy Story: Retro Roundup! Developed by Digital Eclipse, doing what they do best, the title features a collection of classic titles across generations, in addition to a plethora of behind-the-scenes footage and game documents to explore the history behind the games from your childhood. Returning to the podcast is the legendary Chris Kohler (editorial director at DE) to run through all the features of the game, including some brand new features never before seen in a Digital Eclipse collection. What would those be? You'll have to listen/watch to find out!
In 2010, Toy Story 3 shocked the gaming world with an incredible game that served as a perfect companion to the film of the same name. Not content with a dynamic campaign that took players through the events of the film (and then some), the title included an innovative "Toy Box" mode that was practically another game in and of itself, letting you explore various zones, accomplish missions for franchise characters, and customize the world to your liking. Fast forward to today, and we're on the brink of Toy Story 3's return in the form of Toy Story 3 Complete Edition. Digital Eclipse has worked their magic to lovingly remaster it for modern platforms so new and old fans alike can easily check it out. Calvin Vu, Digital Eclipse producer on the game, makes a glorious return to the podcast to tell me (and you) what you can expect from the remaster. Enjoy!
Bubsy 4D has been out since May, and we know you love it. We know the biggest problem you all had with the game was one thing: you wanted MORE. More Bubsy. More levels. More challenge. More skins. Just more everything. And you didn't want to pay anything for it. Fortunately for you, we heard your demands and just dropped the Black Hole update for Bubsy 4D. For a small fee of zero dollars, you're getting more levels. You're getting more challenge. You're getting more skins. You're getting more everything! And who better to break it all down in detail than the devs themselves? Please welcome back to the podcast, Fabian and Ben, cofounders of Fabraz, to do just that.