Tom Hanks Makes a Videogame

[Fanghawk]

Tom Hanks Makes a Videogame

The producers behind Band of Brothers try their hand at mobile gaming.

Tom Hanks is widely recognized for his acting, directing, and even producing credits. Now he can add videogames to his already impressive resume. Hanks' production company Playtone and mobile developer Jump Games have just released Electric City: The Revolt for 99 cents on Android and iOS platforms. The game has been launched in conjunction with the webseries Electric City, created by and starring Hanks.

"We always knew that Electric City was a big, multidimensional story, and that it made sense to present it in a non-traditional way," said Playtone co-founder Gary Goetzman. "We felt that games and mobile content would be a great way to explore back story and push the parameters of our world."

Electric City is set in a technological utopia formed in the wake of an apocalyptic global catastrophe. It centers on Cleveland Carr, a grid operative who takes orders from the mysterious "knitting society" that runs the city with an iron fist and controls all information from behind the scenes. The mobile game version follows secondary character Frank Deetleman, a technician working for rebel forces from outside the city.

Playtone is best known for its production work on HBO historical dramas like Band of Brothers, John Adams, and The Pacific. Playtone briefly dipped into science fiction with City of Ember, but this series appears to be a take a very different direction with the genre.

Both the series and game are available through downloadable apps through Android's Google Play and the iTunes App Store. Alternatively, you can also watch the series on the <a href=http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=yahoo%20screen%20electric%20city&source=web&cd=4&sqi=2&ved=0CFIQtwIwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Felectriccity.yahoo.com%2Fep1-en-truth-or-consequences.html&ei=8twFUJr5G6Xe0QGA1PzVCA&usg=AFQjCNFGrazGcz5NGM1cCiN8SeIwSRBY5g>Yahoo Screen Video Platform. Twenty episodes have been planned, with ten currently available.

Source: VentureBeat, via <a href=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-07-17-tom-hanks-starts-developing-games>Games Industry International

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[SecondPrize]

came here hoping for Big: the game.

 

[Epic Fail 1977]

I bet a million billion pounds that this "back story" stuff contradicts the main show and creates massive gaping plot holes. Call it a hunch.

 

[Goofguy]

Yeah um, no thanks. I wouldn't be interested in such a game regardless of whether Tom's name is branded on it or not. The only reason the game is getting any exposure is because of him, doesn't mean it's good.

 

[Baldr]

I know he was a huge Ultima Fan, and most don't know he's a gamer. I guess someone finally talked him into doing a Video Game.

 

[FalloutJack]

DO we get to play as Tom Hanks?

[HEADING=1]WILSON!!![/HEADING]

Probably not...but it would be kind of funny.

EDIT: Wait... Electric City?


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

 

[CardinalPiggles]

Stupid title, getting my hopes up.

Mobile phone games are pretty crap in my opinion.

 

[esperandote]

It looks... boring.

 

[Jackalb]

I never realised Tom's voice was so enticing. Is it actually his or is it just his name slapped on it?

 

[Kinguendo]

DO we get to play as Tom Hanks?

[HEADING=1]WILSON!!![/HEADING]

Probably not...but it would be kind of funny.

Not to mention he would be the most OP protagonist in videogame history.

Loki: I have an army
Tom Hanks: I'm Tom Hanks, I win.
Loki: Dammit!

Thats not how Tom Tanks rolls! He isnt arrogant enough to claim being him means he wins... but he is universally liked and Loki would therefore admit Tom wins before anyone even thought about attacking Mr. Hanks.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Man, for a second there I was worried that he actually made a game, then I saw that he made the concept and professionals made the game. Anyways, the game looks simple. Can't really say ow fun it will be but the gameplay looks kind of dull in the video.

 

[Therumancer]

I know he was a huge Ultima Fan, and most don't know he's a gamer. I guess someone finally talked him into doing a Video Game.

That surprises me given that one of his early vehicles was "Mazes and Monsters".

That said, I wish him luck with the project, but it doesn't seem like a game I'll be running out to find just from that blurb.

 

[hooksashands]

I could see myself getting into it. The idea of playing through a top-down adventure like Bastion only with Tom Hanks as the game's "voice" sounds neat.

What really intrigues me though is being able to play it a second time as someone from the other side.

 

[matrix3509]

Always nice to see the matter-of-course rejection on this thread simply because its a mobile game. Superior and open-minded escapist community showing their true colors I see.

 

[Darth_Payn]

Sounds interesting, conceptually, except this sounds A LOT like NBC's new series REVOLUTION. I kind of don't like the idea of playing a game like that on my tiny phone.

 

[Strazdas]

movie producers going to gaming industry never ends well. (well ok clive baker ended well).

 

[ScruffyMcBalls]

Mazes and Monsters. Nuff said.

 

[DJjaffacake]

Electric City is set in a technological utopia formed in the wake of an apocalyptic global catastrophe. It centers on Cleveland Carr, a grid operative who takes orders from the mysterious "knitting society" that runs the city with an iron fist and controls all information from behind the scenes. The mobile game version follows secondary character Frank Deetleman, a technician working for rebel forces from outside the city.

Sounds more like a dystopia to me, unless perfect worlds include oppression and such now.

 

[Surpheal]

Either Tom has no idea how people actually see things, or ALL of those guards have terrible tunnel vision. And if it is the second option, the people who hired them must really have been scraping the bottom of the employable barrel. Also the part with the labyrinth made me chuckle a bit.

Player: Hey, I can see you over this wall right here.

Guard: How? I can't see you?

 

[antipunt]

The only thing I kept thinking about was Mugen, the custom fighting game where you could import your own characters. The most OP character by far was Omega Tom Hanks. WHAT A BEAST