TerRover is the next game from Creat Studios, a stylised vehicle-based platformer that sees players taking control of a small off-road vehicle and navigating it through a series of different terrains on new planets, collecting valuable items along the way.

But this isn’t just any ordinary vehicle, it’s a TerRover, complete with a little head and face that changes expressions depending on what situations the players find themselves in. It will get cross when it’s stuck and be happy when it’s collecting nuts, as you can see in the first gameplay trailers from the game. This is a physics-based game so your little TerRover will be able to jump over obstacles as well as climb or fall to different heights within a level, spinning and moving obstacles in order to progress.

This is where the head’s importance comes in because the position of the TerRover’s head can be changed during the game, with the TerRover accelerating forwards or backwards depending on where the head is positioned. Of course you’ll also be able to move the position of the head from the top of the vehicle to the bottom depending on the TerRover’s orientation.

In addition to a meaty-sounding single player campaign that includes five planets and 40 levels, TerRover will also include three different types of local multiplayer modes for up to four players.

Intrigued by what we’ve seen of TerRover so far, El33tonline caught up with Creat Studios to dig deeper into the nuts and bolts behind this little off-roader. Read the Q and A with Olga Sokolova, Producer of TerRover and Scott Hyman, Vice President of Development, both from Creat Studios, below:

El33tonline: This is Creat Studios’ tenth game that will be released on the PlayStation Network. In fact the collaboration between Creat Studios and TikGames has led to more PS3 games being released for the PlayStation Network that any other company. Can you give us a little insight into why you enjoy developing for the PS3 platform?

Scott Hyman: There are a number of reasons. For starters, we get a lot of freedom to make the games we want, and to work in a variety of genres. Next, Sony is such a great partner, that we get all the support we need, for technology to marketing.

Olga Sokolova: It’s a wonderful opportunity to create games for very powerful platform and control the product from initial inspiration all the way through to release.

El33tonline: Can you explain a little about the backstory – why is the TerRover so intent on exploring these new planets?

Olga Sokolova: The TerRovers’ home planet is under a great threat, and they need help to find a new, fun home. Ancient TerRovers set up several location-finders on many planets which must be switched on so other TerRovers can find their way.

It’s just usual saving of the world, you see.

El33tonline: What inspired you to create TerRover with the ability to change facial expressions and direction based on the position of his head?

Olga Sokolova: The method of changing direction was a result of many physics/controls tests. It’s one of our unique game design features, and appeared in the first prototype we made. As production started, it just felt obvious to us that the TerRover would feel emotions. This feeling grew from production of our previous game, Digger HD, where we had very funny little animations and emotions for our “inanimate” hero.

El33tonline: Have you been inspired by any other games so far in the creation of TerRover as a videogame character?

Olga Sokolova: I can’t say that I did, and my art director won’t confess to any. We initially wanted to make a game about physics, but as the game developed, it more and more appeared to be a game about funny TerRover character. TerRover captured our hearts under our protest.

El33tonline: Judging from what we’ve seen so far in the gameplay trailers, the levels are vastly different, including the obstacles, colour palette and even the backgrounds. Can you share a bit more about a few of the earlier levels with us?

Scott Hyman: Each level is a unique planet, and each planet has a striking different terrain, from climates and gravity to the types of obstacles and puzzles.

Olga Sokolova: Mechanica is a planet made entirely of machinery, completely inorganic. It rotates, moves, lifts and grinds. Volcanus features heavy gravity, narrow passes and boiling lava. Aura has low gravity and unqiue plants and insects. Congelata is icy, slick, sometimes quite fragile and snowy too. Acor is a planet of swamps, with fantastic swamp creatures and miasma.

El33tonline: Can you give us any more details about what the local multiplayer modes will include and whether you have any plans to take TerRover online at a later stage.

Olga Sokolova: Local multiplayer modes are:

Trial for 2 players. This is the mode for freaks! We organized a Trial championship in the office (between team members and other employees) and it was really HOT! 5 random very difficult obstacles to be passed as quickly as possible.

Racing for 2-4 players. This one is mostly just for fun. You need to move very fast, and the player who gets left behind, exchanges his life for your points. But be careful, as the more you play this mode, the more it encourages revenge.

Hot Point for 2-4 players. You need to get a designated star and prevent your opponent to from getting there first. In this mode, sometimes it’s better to stay local and allow for collisions between all the other TerRovers.

Scott Hyman: We’re discussing online play, of course. As always, stay tuned!

El33tonline: Will TerRover feature trophies and could you give us a hint of what a few of them may be?

Olga Sokolova: Of course it will. You’ll need to have really good TerRover skills and know your levels really well to get them all.

Scott Hyman: Everyone at Creat Studios loves trophies, and we’re always sure to offer plenty of them in every PSN release.

El33tonline: Can you tell us a little bit more about the TerRover off-roaders we’ll be able to unlock in the game?

Olga Sokolova: They have different weight, different wheels shapes and different abilities. Since each planet level features different gravity, different geometry and different hidden places, you’ll need to think carefully which vehicle to choose – especially if you want to collect everything or get a trophy. But if you want to, you may play with any chassis you like – all levels are passable for each TerRover, it’s only a question of perfection.

El33tonline: At this stage how long do you think the single player campaign will take to play through?

Olga Sokolova: When you play perfectly it takes about 3 hours to just get to the end and at least whole working day to collect everything. When you play perfectly, that is…

El33tonline: Any ideas on pricing and a release date at this early stage of the game’s life?

Scott Hyman: We’re still working that out, but I promise that you’ll get your money’s worth, and then some. I’m pushing to get it launched as soon as possible so I can play it on my PS3 at home.

El33tonline thanks Olga Sokolova and Scott Hyman for taking the time to answer our questions!

You can find out more about TerRover by browsing through our previous coverage, which includes awesome screenshots and trailers.