Swarm

Swarm is a unique online multiplayer comedy action game in which players control entire herds of strange, daft little characters as they clash in chaotic and hilarious arena-style challenges. In a universe rampant with rogue megapolluters, "Swarmites" were bioengineered to be parachuted onto planets in small herds, where they set about reversing environmental damage. In Swarm, the player is given a fresh-from-the-lab crate of Swarmites and a small, floating homebase island among a sea of others. The player's task is to engage other swarms in a variety of intense head-to-head challenges in order to prepare them for their destiny: to voraciously clean and repair entire planets.

Swarm started its life as a submission in Telefilm Canada's Great Canadian Video Game Competition. As one of the four finalists in the contest, Hothead received $300,000 in prize money which we used to create a gameplay prototype. The game has some innovative AI technology where the player controls the entire swarm of creatures using a demonstrate and mimic mechanic. Our final contest submission showed both the viability of the technology and the fact that it is fun and hilarious to play! So when we also won the People's Choice award in the Telefilm contest, based on votes from gamers, we knew we had the kernel of a hit on our hands.

We have been continuing work on the entire Swarm concept since then and will post more information here as it's available!