Ongaku

01 JUNE 2010 LEAMINGTON SPA, UK Blitz 1UP, an initiative run by UK developer Blitz Games Studios, has signed up music game Ongaku – a the tenth game in its ever-expanding catalogue. Developed by SmashMouth Games, Ongaku is set for worldwide release on PC with other platforms to be confirmed.

Ongaku is a 2D rhythm action game combining an original score and stylized artwork. Players take the role of the magic crystal Ongaku and progress through the fantasy kingdom of Melody by popping paint bubbles in time to the music. If successfully popped, the paint bubbles reveal an artistic masterpiece, bringing the canvas to life with its unique artwork. There are endless possibilities with a wide range of features to customise and share your experience:

• 11 brand new lusciously animated levels, each with their own new music theme.

• Create your own levels with The Melody Maker, where you can import your favourite music track, picture or video.

• Share the levels you’ve created with your friends and see their creations.

• Auto-generate playable levels from your imported media using the Tune-O-Matic.

• Five difficulty settings allow you to enjoy playing whatever your level ofexpertise.

The Flash prototype of Ongaku won the prestigious Armor Games Rhythm Action Competition and was then nominated for Game of the Year 2007 on the international website Newgrounds.

This is also the start of the SmashMouth Games Gamers Club; anyone who joins via their website ( www.SmashMouthGames.com) can enjoy a variety of different perks including the opportunity to get their name in the credits of their games, such as Ongaku.

“We’re really looking forward to working with SmashMouth Games on bringing this fantastic new version of Ongaku to market,” says Chris Swan, Blitz 1UP Business Development Director. “With its unique audio-based gameplay, eye-catching graphics and impressive social features, Ongaku will breathe new life into the rhythm action genre.”

Adds Zuby Ahmed, SmashMouth Games’ Managing Director: “SmashMouth Games is incredibly pleased to partner up with Blitz Games Studios. We are very excited about the release of Ongaku, which we hope people of all ages will enjoy, especially with the many customisation features the game has to offer. Together with our educational links with The University of Salford and being based at Futureworks Manchester School of Media, working with Blitz 1UP has helped us to appreciate the importance of the independent developer “

Visit us at: www.Blitz1UP.com

To become a fan on FB, go here: www.facebook.com/Blitz1up

To follow Blitz 1UP on Twitter, go here: www.twitter.com/Blitz1UP

For developers interested in discussing further opportunities with the Blitz 1UP initiative, see: www.blitz1UP.com/details "> www.blitz1UP.com/details or email blitz1UP@blitzgamesstudios.com

Media contacts:

For all enquiries outside of the US, contact Izzy Miller, Blitz Games Studios’ PR Coordinator at emiller@blitzgamesstudios.com.

For US enquiries only, contact Doug Mealy, Online Marketing and Public Relations, at dmealy@om-pr.com.

About Blitz 1UP:

The Blitz 1UP initiative was launched in 2008 as an outlet for small, independent teams to bring their titles – finished and unfinished – to market on XBLA, PSN, PC, WiiWare, iPhone Flash and Mac. The scheme offers tailor-made packages to indie developers including PR, QA and access to its established distribution channels. The initiative provides a wide range of services, from design and production advice through to assistance with finding distribution and publishing partners. www.Blitz1UP.com.

About Blitz Games Studios:

Currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, Blitz Games Studios is based in Leamington Spa and was founded by industry veterans Philip and Andrew Oliver. It now has more than 220 staff and its six divisions encompass mature titles (Volatile Games), Serious Games (TruSim), family titles (Blitz Games), licensable middleware (BlitzTech), downloadable games (Blitz Arcade) and its education division (Blitz Academy). www.BlitzGamesStudios.com

About SmashMouth Games:

SmashMouth Games is an award-winning independent development company focusing on creating casual and innovative videogames for the download market. Since SmashMouth Games was established in 2006, the company has released a Flash Version of its first game, Ongaku, which achieved over 100 000 downloads in its initial two week launch (now over 450 000 downloads). Ongaku went on to become a leader in its field, winning the prestigious, “Armor Games Rhythm Action Competition” hosted by the international website Newgrounds – the most visited Flash-Portal on the Internet today. In May 2008, Ongaku was nominated for Game of the Year by Newgrounds. Currently the company is working on three projects, the first of which is Ongaku, for multi-platform release. SmashMouth Games is also a registered Wii Ware developer, Apple iPhone developer, and is part of the Microsoft Empower Program. The company also has successful educational ties with The University of Salford and is also based at Futureworks Manchester School of Media ( http://www.futureworks.co.uk/), both of which are situated in the heart of Manchester. For further information visit: www.smashmouthgames.com