14 DAY TRIAL // EA made a new step regarding original IPs: they have just announced the development of Zubo, a game created for kids aged 7-11. We know it's not exactly the title that we're waiting from Electronic Arts, but at least is a good way to start. Hopefully, this title is not just a "mistake" and other original IPs will follow.
Zubo is a music-based rhythm-action game for kids and it is scheduled to be shipped worldwide "later this year", as a Nintendo DS exclusive. Even though no in-game screenshots were released yet, the game poster suggests that we'll get some Lego lookalike characters - and that is understandable. "Original" doesn't always have to be fully original, right? This seems to be EA's opinion...
Anyway, the game allows kids to enter the world of Zubalon and help its colorful inhabitants defeat an evil force that is... (take a guess!) bent on world domination. Ta-ta! Players can befriend the Zubos they meet along the way, feed and nurture them, help them gain skills and strength, and assist them in their battles with the enemy, the evil Zombos. The good thing is that the kids would probably love that, and that is all that matters, in the end.
"Zubo represents the culmination of a dedicated incubation project, which specifically sought to develop a new videogame property for boys and girls under 12," said Harvey Elliott, Head of the EA Bright Light studio in Guildford, UK. "The team here has designed a rich, immersive and, above all, enjoyable experience - one that will live in the schoolyard, at home or on the move."
As we said already, a key element in Zubos is music - the kids will use it to drive battles forward, synchronizing their stylus with the musical beats. But you already know that concept too well. Also, there will be no less than 55 Zubos available for the players to recruit, tons of different interactions and minigames that will keep the youngsters busy and probably really happy. Later this year, DS exclusive.