Ervin added, “The power of Xbox has allowed us to produce never-before seen graphics, spot-on physics and unique camera angles that make this the most realistic surfing game ever made. And, working with the world’s largest action sports publisher, TransWorld Media, has given us the knowledge, access and expertise to make the game as authentic as possible.”
Involved from start to finish TransWorld Media provided access to the wide variety of professional surfers, authentic licensed gear and surfing event locations that allow players to more fully experience the lifestyle of a pro surfer. In addition, the developers worked with TransWorld Media and the games pro surfers to determine the best tricks and locations as well as how to accurately recreate everything from specific ocean-water physics in the locations chosen to how a surfboard handles on different waves.
Gamers can pull off massive airs and blazing tailslides while assuming the identity of one of 13 top-ranked surfers like Shane Dorian, Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, and many more. Each athlete has been recreated with their own signature style and moves.
Players will compete in a nine-location tour sponsored by TransWorld Surf magazine. At each location, surfers must successfully complete a basic photo shoot before moving on to the competition. Surfers will also face goal challenges at photo shoots, such as freeing dolphins from fishing nets or completing insane combo moves. Locations include Teahupoo (Tahiti), Huntington Beach (California, USA), Pipeline (Hawaii) and more.
TransWorld Surf features six unique game modes, including single-player Prosurf, Freesurf and Single Session modes, as well as up to four-person multiplayer Freesurf, Competition and King of the Wave modes. In Prosurf, gamers must pull off a trick in front of the cameraman to earn a spot in TransWorld Surf magazine and unlock new breaks and levels. Players will interact with other surfers, animals and objects including bodyboarders, dolphins, boats, other surfers and more. Careless surfers will find themselves pursued by hungry sharks if they roam too far past a wave. But players won’t be too upset there’s always Miss Reef Girl waiting to tow them out on her personal watercraft to the next gnarly break!
One of the game’s truly unique features is the Karma Meter, which allows players to interact with objects and people to change the gameplay experience to suit their style. Gamers can keep their meter high by avoiding other surfers and dolphins or let their meter run low by surfing recklessly, snaking waves and eventually facing shark attacks and angry surfers. With numerous tricks and combos to execute in conjunction with the Karma Meter, the gameplay experience is never the same twice.
Additionally, a new feature made possible only by the future-generation video game systems is the inclusion of actual surf videos and interviews with the pro athletes. To more fully immerse players in the surfing lifestyle and to provide a snap shot of each character’s real life personality and abilities the developers filmed interviews and action footage of each surfer in the game.
TransWorld Surf boasts a huge, pumping soundtrack with both licensed and original music and an audio ripping function allowing players to record their own CDs onto the Xbox hard drive. The game also features clothing, accessories and equipment from more than 50 surfing-related sponsors including DC Shoes, Hurley, Nixon, Oakley, O’Neill, Volcom and more.
Developed by the talented minds at San Diego-based Angel Studios, TransWorld Surf features amazing water technology, incredible lighting, shadow and particle effects, bump mapping and anti-aliasing for awesome 3D visuals. TransWorld Surf shipped to most major retail stores this week with an estimated retail price of $49.95 and an ESRB rating of ‘T’ for Teens.