Boom Blox
A physics-based puzzle game directed by Steven Spielberg.
Boom Blox is a 2008 puzzle video game by Electronic Arts for the Wii and N-Gage, developed by EA Los Angeles and directed by filmmaker Steven Spielberg. It is notable as the first collaboration between Spielberg and EA, a project he conceived to create a non-violent, strategic game he could play with his children. The game features physics-based puzzles in which players use the Wii Remote to throw, shoot, and grab blocks, with a realistic physics system that accounts for angle, speed, mass, and block type.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- EA Los Angeles
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts
- Director
- Steven Spielberg / Jason Chayes
- Producer
- Amir Rahimi
- Programmer
- Jeff Dixon
- Artist
- Ken Harsha
- Composer
- Mark Mothersbaugh / Albert Fox / John Enroth / Silas Hite
- Released
- Wii / NA · May 6, 2008 · AUS · May 8, 2008 · EU · May 9, 2008 · JP · July 17, 2008N-Gage / WW · December 3, 2008
- Genre
- Puzzle
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- Wii, N-Gage
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Boom Blox was announced in July 2007 as the first of three planned collaborations between Steven Spielberg and Electronic Arts, a partnership announced in 2005. Spielberg stated he wanted to create a game he could play with his younger children, who preferred the Wii over other consoles, and his children provided feedback on a prototype. The game was initially planned to include a headtracking feature using two Wii Remotes and an LED headset, but this was cut on April 15, 2008. During development, the focus was on the Wii, though senior producer Amir Rahimi indicated a possible port to other consoles in the future.
The game's Adventure and Explore modes offer over 300 single-player levels across four worlds: Gem Kingdom (medieval sheep knights), Gorilda Rescue (jungle gorilla rescuing children), Boots 'n' Bandits (Old West beaver mining gold), and Haunted Night (kittens on Halloween). Party mode includes over 100 cooperative and competitive multiplayer levels for up to four players. Create mode is a built-in level editor that allows players to design and share levels via WiiConnect24 using blocks unlocked in Explore mode.
Boom Blox sold 60,000 copies in its first month in the United States according to the NPD Group. EA CEO John Riccitiello said the game met internal expectations, though some analysts expected higher sales. In July 2008, EA reported that the game had sold over 450,000 copies during its first fiscal quarter and continued to sell well.
Reader's Guide
Boom Blox is significant as a high-profile collaboration between a major film director and a video game publisher, resulting in a puzzle game that emphasized non-violent, strategic play for a family audience. Its physics-based gameplay, described as Jenga meets Tetris Blast, Breakout, Duck Hunt, and Lego, was praised for its tactile use of the Wii Remote and realistic block interactions. The game received strong critical reception, with aggregate scores of 85/100 on Metacritic and 87% on GameRankings, and was awarded Best Wii Game of the Year by Spike TV, Best Family Game for Wii by IGN, and Best Casual Game of 2008 at the British Academy Video Games Awards. It was also nominated for several other awards, including Family Game of the Year by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and an Innovation Award at the Game Developers Choice Awards. Despite modest initial sales, the game met EA's internal expectations and continued to sell, leading to a sequel, Boom Blox Bash Party, released in 2009.
Did You Know?
- Boom Blox was directed by filmmaker Steven Spielberg as his first video game collaboration with Electronic Arts.
- The game's headtracking feature, which required two Wii Remotes and an LED headset, was cut from the final release.
- Boom Blox sold over 450,000 copies during EA's first fiscal quarter after its release.
- The game includes over 300 single-player levels and over 100 multiplayer levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Boom Blox?
Boom Blox is a physics-driven puzzle game released in 2008, developed by EA Los Angeles and published by Electronic Arts. Players solve more than 300 levels by manipulating blocks with the Wii Remote.
Why is Boom Blox notable in EA's catalog?
It holds the distinction of being the first video game project Steven Spielberg ever collaborated on with Electronic Arts. The filmmaker personally directed the development, making it a rare Hollywood crossover into gaming.
How does gameplay work in Boom Blox?
Players use the Wii Remote to throw, shoot, and grab blocks across a series of physics-based puzzles. The simulation factors in angle, speed, mass, and the specific type of block to create realistic interactions.
What platforms was Boom Blox released on?
The title launched in 2008 for the Nintendo Wii and the N-Gage handheld. Both versions were handled by EA Los Angeles under Spielberg's creative direction.
What inspired Steven Spielberg to create Boom Blox?
Spielberg wanted to build a non-violent, strategy-focused game he could sit down and play with his kids. The result emphasized clever problem-solving and block physics rather than any kind of combat.
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