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A turn-based strategy game, MMA Federation, was released today on iOS and Android.
Manchester, United Kingdom – January 14th, 2016 – With $2 million of investment behind it, Manchester-based 360 Studios is about to begin its assault on mobile gaming with MMA Federation, the world's best turn based fighting game on smartphones.
Now available globally in the English speaking world on iOS and Android, after a successful run in ‘early access’ launch in Canada, MMA Federation is a card battler at heart, with players able to call on moves from five unique fighting styles as they fight rivals from around the globe to propel up to eight different characters up the game's global ranks.
As well as boasting some serious development talent - studio head Rick Giolito having previously made his name working as creator and executive producer on flagship EA games like KnockOut Kings™ and Medal of Honor™ - 360 Studios has also been able to garner significant support from investors across the US, UK, Japan and Brazil, with the aforementioned $2 million set to be bolstered by an additional round of funding in Q1 2016 of $1+ million. All of the investors involved to date come from either the MMA or mobile world.
It's all part of 360 Studios' desire to shake up the sports sim, delivering the best turn based fighting game platform in the world and working with top game franchises and IP in the process.
“The formation of 360 Studios was all built around the idea that we wanted to create an immersive social mobile game set in the world of Mixed Martial Arts,” offered 360 Studios Director Sean Salloux, who boasts over 25 years of developing and leading technology companies from concept to exit. “However, since we started, we've discovered we can do even more than that. We're confident that the model we're putting in place can be rolled out across multiple different sports and serve as a benchmark for the way sports are simulated on mobile in the future.”
Salloux is an angel investor in internet and mobile technologies and has had a number of roles in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia at top mobile companies from start-ups to PLCs. It's because of this bold vision that 360 Studios, which also has a base in Los Angeles, was able to attract Rick Giolito to head up MMA Federation's development.
“We wanted to create a truly authentic MMA game where players take complete control of their fighter - their look, fighting style and gameplay strategy,” added Giolito. “We worked with top MMA teams and promotional organizations as well as MMA brands across the globe to create an immersive MMA world packed with real gyms, stunning arenas, the biggest brands & gear, famous fighters and MMA legends.
“We set out to bring a fresh approach not just to the fighting genre, but to sports sims in general. There is no point just bringing out another fighting game that apes already existing franchises. The reason we've brought in a card battling system is because it automatically makes this more than a button basher – it's a game of strategy, meaning anyone can take it on, but it's firmly bedded in the MMA world, so it's also the perfect companion for martial arts and MMA aficionados.”
“That, in a nutshell, is what a successful sports sim needs to do; both appeal to existing fans, and also broaden its appeal to a new audience,” Giolito continued. “We think mobile is the perfect place to do this – iOS and Android long ago superseded consoles as the most popular gaming platforms in the world, and if we're going to change the way sports sims work, this is where it'll start.”
Part of this approach is allowing live, player vs player contests without lag where players can join real MMA teams like Tristar, American Top Team, SBG and Elite MMA, making use of the moves they've picked up in training mode, from world famous fighters such as Michael ‘Venom’ Page, King Mo and coaches like Bas Rutten (Elite MMA), Firas Zahabi (Tristar) and John Kavanagh (SBG).
Tapping into authentic promotions, events and global tournaments, the world MMA Federation sits in is designed to feel instantly familiar to any MMA and martial arts fans, though the card-based battle system means play is strategic and will also appeal to more casual players looking to take their first steps into the MMA arena.
“We’re also working on new features including a groundbreaking rewards system that’ll give MMA Federation™ players a chance to win real gear, tickets, VIP access, and memorabilia from the top MMA brands, teams & fighters,” Giolito concluded. “This is all about breaking away from the standard, and now quite tired, model most sports-based games seem to fall back on, offering up essentially the same game year after year. We want to set the benchmark for a more creative approach to the art of bringing real life sports to the hands, and fingers, of gamers.”
MMA Federation™ is made for both mobile and tablet and is available for download on Google Play™ and App Store™ in Canada from November 20th and from January 14th in the USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
Now available globally in the English speaking world on iOS and Android, after a successful run in ‘early access’ launch in Canada, MMA Federation is a card battler at heart, with players able to call on moves from five unique fighting styles as they fight rivals from around the globe to propel up to eight different characters up the game's global ranks.
As well as boasting some serious development talent - studio head Rick Giolito having previously made his name working as creator and executive producer on flagship EA games like KnockOut Kings™ and Medal of Honor™ - 360 Studios has also been able to garner significant support from investors across the US, UK, Japan and Brazil, with the aforementioned $2 million set to be bolstered by an additional round of funding in Q1 2016 of $1+ million. All of the investors involved to date come from either the MMA or mobile world.
It's all part of 360 Studios' desire to shake up the sports sim, delivering the best turn based fighting game platform in the world and working with top game franchises and IP in the process.
“The formation of 360 Studios was all built around the idea that we wanted to create an immersive social mobile game set in the world of Mixed Martial Arts,” offered 360 Studios Director Sean Salloux, who boasts over 25 years of developing and leading technology companies from concept to exit. “However, since we started, we've discovered we can do even more than that. We're confident that the model we're putting in place can be rolled out across multiple different sports and serve as a benchmark for the way sports are simulated on mobile in the future.”
Salloux is an angel investor in internet and mobile technologies and has had a number of roles in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia at top mobile companies from start-ups to PLCs. It's because of this bold vision that 360 Studios, which also has a base in Los Angeles, was able to attract Rick Giolito to head up MMA Federation's development.
“We wanted to create a truly authentic MMA game where players take complete control of their fighter - their look, fighting style and gameplay strategy,” added Giolito. “We worked with top MMA teams and promotional organizations as well as MMA brands across the globe to create an immersive MMA world packed with real gyms, stunning arenas, the biggest brands & gear, famous fighters and MMA legends.
“We set out to bring a fresh approach not just to the fighting genre, but to sports sims in general. There is no point just bringing out another fighting game that apes already existing franchises. The reason we've brought in a card battling system is because it automatically makes this more than a button basher – it's a game of strategy, meaning anyone can take it on, but it's firmly bedded in the MMA world, so it's also the perfect companion for martial arts and MMA aficionados.”
“That, in a nutshell, is what a successful sports sim needs to do; both appeal to existing fans, and also broaden its appeal to a new audience,” Giolito continued. “We think mobile is the perfect place to do this – iOS and Android long ago superseded consoles as the most popular gaming platforms in the world, and if we're going to change the way sports sims work, this is where it'll start.”
Part of this approach is allowing live, player vs player contests without lag where players can join real MMA teams like Tristar, American Top Team, SBG and Elite MMA, making use of the moves they've picked up in training mode, from world famous fighters such as Michael ‘Venom’ Page, King Mo and coaches like Bas Rutten (Elite MMA), Firas Zahabi (Tristar) and John Kavanagh (SBG).
Tapping into authentic promotions, events and global tournaments, the world MMA Federation sits in is designed to feel instantly familiar to any MMA and martial arts fans, though the card-based battle system means play is strategic and will also appeal to more casual players looking to take their first steps into the MMA arena.
“We’re also working on new features including a groundbreaking rewards system that’ll give MMA Federation™ players a chance to win real gear, tickets, VIP access, and memorabilia from the top MMA brands, teams & fighters,” Giolito concluded. “This is all about breaking away from the standard, and now quite tired, model most sports-based games seem to fall back on, offering up essentially the same game year after year. We want to set the benchmark for a more creative approach to the art of bringing real life sports to the hands, and fingers, of gamers.”
MMA Federation™ is made for both mobile and tablet and is available for download on Google Play™ and App Store™ in Canada from November 20th and from January 14th in the USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.