Massachusetts based Creat Studios is a group that have been developing games for over 10 years (most notably Tony Hawk’s Motion on the DS and Coded Arms: Contagion on the PSP), but they have only recently begun publishing games on the PlayStation Network. They created really solid puzzle games with Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom, Cuboid and Magic Ball and have since released new downloadable content for these popular games to keep gamers’ minds puzzling.

Creat Studios is also working on Smash Cars, a follow up to the developer’s 2003 no rules radio controlled racing game, as well as two other PlayStation Network games announced at E3, Digger and Mushroom Wars, and their first DSiWare game, Alien Havoc.

El33tonline caught up with Creat Studios’ Director of Business Development, Scott Hyman, recently to find out a bit more about their new games. Find out how Smash Cars differs to Sony and Microsoft’s offerings, in what ways Digger will appeal to a modern audience while staying true to its roots and what will make Mushroom Wars an accessible Tower Defense game.

• You’ve released three games on the PSN so far, Magic Ball, Mahjong Tales and Cuboid, along with DLC for each. You’ve obviously found success with them because you have another three coming to PSN soon. Please could you tell us a little about what has made them successful and about how a channel like the PSN affected your approach to development and publishing?
  

We love the focus on playability and accessibility. We love the shorter production cycles. And, most of all, we love the direct interaction with our customers. Developing and publishing for PSN has allowed us to take more risks, be more innovative, and lay the foundations for future projects. Everything about the experience has been positive.

• Do you have plans for more DLC for your already published games?

There’s always something in the works. If the demand it there, we’ll do it.

• Although Smash Cars was announced before E3, it seems that arcade “kart-style” racing is the current flavour of the month. This is a good thing - I love the genre. How does Smash Cars stand out from Microsoft and Sony’s offerings that are coming near the end of the year? What plans do you have in terms of online play and future expansion?

Well, the most obvious differentiator is the price. Smash Cars will be a very inexpensive purchase. But that’s a huge part of what makes it so unique- players get a full, high-end action racing experience at the fraction of usual price. I can’t compare our game to the other products until they’re complete, but I can tell you that Smash Cars is packed with smashing, crashing, flips, tricks, and stunts packed onto a whole lot of speed. It’s fun, and you can’t beat the six-player online multiplayer, either.

Regarding expansion, there’s lots more in the works for both Smash Cars and other action-oriented titles that we can’t reveal just yet.

• Digger was one of the first games I played on the PC back in the 80’s and I have fond memories of it. How is the new game going to made to appeal to a modern audience while keeping that old school style?

Well, if Digger holds a soft spot for you, then you’ll flip over what we’re doing. Creat approached Digger with the intent of maintaining the classic, familiar gameplay while bringing the visuals up to today’s standards. While there will be some cool extras tossed in, we set out to update a classic, not reinvent it. When Creat acquired the license, this was very important to the folks that made the original. We’re very pleased with the results, and hope our fans will be, too.

• Please tell us a bit more about Mushroom Wars. Do the different sides have different unit types? What sort of variety of units are there? Is there direct control over units and do they have multiple abilities? Is it going to be a single-screen game like the PixelJunk games or will it scroll around various size maps?

Mushroom Wars is a great example of the innovation I mentioned earlier. We set out to make a very accessible Tower Defense / RTS game- something for people who don’t usually play these types of games. Yet, we wanted to be sure to appeal to the usual RTS audience. What Creat developed is a “cute ‘n cuddly” Tower Defense game that can be played in quick sessions of 5 to 10 minutes at a time, yet all matches tie into a larger campaign. We are very excited to see how much fun PSN users will have with it.

• You’re publishing your first DSiWare game, Alien Havoc soon. How does the DSiWare platform feature in your future plans? Do you have any plans for any other handheld platorms (such as PSP Go or iPhone)?

Creat is devoted to the downloadable space in all forms. We had a blast making Alien Havoc, and expect to pursue all other platforms in due time. Stay tuned… closely tuned.

• What is the planned price point for your unreleased games, Smash Cars, Digger, Mushroom Wars and Alien Havoc?

That’s a conversation with Sony. When we know, you’ll know.

• Any last words for the fans?

Thanks so much for taking the time to chat. As always, we want to reach out and thank Creat’s amazing customers who play our games and provide us with such valuable feedback. Please keep it coming… we’re listening!