[Interview with Turtle Flip Studio] Discussing Which Way Up on PS4Blog.net

We’re diving into the review for “Which Way Up: Galaxy Games,” so I decided to reach out to the creators at Turtle Flip Studio to get some insights into their latest release. Let’s see what they had to say!

PS4Blog: Good morning, and thanks for joining us. To start, could you introduce yourself to our audience and share a bit about what you do?

I’m Nick Cellini, the director at Turtle Flip Studio, an up-and-coming game development company from Australia. Thanks to a grant we received from Screen Australia, we’ve been able to bring our debut game, “Which Way Up: Galaxy Games,” to fruition. It’s a whirlwind of a party game where gravity isn’t quite what you’d expect, and we’re thrilled to be launching it on March 27!

I’ve been involved in game programming and design for over 15 years. But, founding my own studio and steering a game from the drawing board to a full console launch has been an exhilarating journey filled with twists and turns—pun intended given our gravity-centric theme.

PS4B: “Which Way Up: Galaxy Games” is ready for its debut on Nintendo Switch. How would you explain the game to someone who’s never heard of it before?

In essence, “Which Way Up” is an energetic local multiplayer party game. It draws inspiration from the unique gravity elements found in Nintendo’s Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii. By taking the concept of gravity gone wild, we’ve crafted a competitive party atmosphere where players run, jump, and clash in various mini-games. Whether you’re dodging black holes, chasing comets, or playing keep-away with a bomb across planets, expect a frenzy of laughter and shenanigans. It’s perfect for game nights, sibling duels, or simply some chaotic fun with friends.

PS4B: Could you tell us how the game has evolved from its Kickstarter demo to the final version on release?

The demo we released on Kickstarter gives players a glimpse of our universe, with six out of the full twelve Galaxy Games and five of the seven playable characters included. It also comes with a teaser of single-player missions to highlight some of our character’s dialogue and platforming elements.

For our full launch on March 27, we’re unveiling all twelve Galaxy Games. We’ve added six entirely new mini-games like “Hole In One,” where you’ll be shooting golf balls through shifting gravity, “Puff Panic,” where fireballs rain as a baby dragon throws tantrums, and “Bumper Stars,” where you collide and aim to push your friends into a fiery furnace-star.

PS4B: Now that the game is completed, what’s next for the studio? Are you taking a well-deserved break, or is another project in the pipeline?

We’re definitely looking forward to a little downtime and recharging. Launching a game is nothing short of monumental, especially for a tight-knit team like ours. But seeing how players interact with our game is something we’re eagerly anticipating—it’s the culmination of our creativity and hard work. Watching players enjoy, laugh, and engage with our galaxy has always been the dream.

Looking further down the line, we have a few ideas germinating. We still have great affection for our universe and its characters, and we’d love to delve deeper into another storyline, perhaps in a new genre. A single-player adventure centered around mining and construction is one idea we’ve tossed around. But for now, we’re going to soak in the launch excitement and catch some much-needed Z’s.

PS4B: Are there any plans for updates post-launch, such as new characters or mini-games?

We’re definitely open to expanding the game with more characters, mini-games, or cosmetic features. We’ll be paying close attention to player feedback after launch and, if feasible, continue evolving “Which Way Up.”

PS4B: Will there be AI bots available in the multiplayer mode?

Deciding on adding bots was quite the discussion point for us. Given our diverse set of twelve Galaxy Games, creating unique AI for each would have been a huge undertaking. So instead, our efforts have honed in on delivering the genuine, nostalgic feel of local multiplayer chaos for players, friends, and family to enjoy.

PS4B: We’re wrapping up here. Is there anything else you’d like to share before we conclude?

Thanks so much for having me. It’s been great sharing our journey with you!