[Interview with PS4Blog.net] Turtle Flip Studio Discusses “Which Way Up”

I’ve been diving into the world of Which Way Up: Galaxy Games for our review, and reached out to Turtle Flip Studio to chat about the game’s journey. Let’s dive into our conversation!

PS4Blog: Hey there! Thanks for joining us today. Could you start by introducing yourself to our audience and share what you do?

Nick Cellini: Hello! I’m Nick Cellini, and I lead a new game development team in Australia called Turtle Flip Studio. We were fortunate to receive support from Screen Australia, which helped us bring our first game, Which Way Up: Galaxy Games, to life. It’s a wild party game with a twist on gravity, launching March 27th!

After over 15 years in gaming as a programmer and designer, starting my own studio and seeing a game go from idea to console has been a wild adventure. There’s been no shortage of challenges, especially when you’re flipping gravity on its head!

PS4B: So, Which Way Up: Galaxy Games is coming to the Nintendo Switch. How would you sum it up for someone who’s new to it?

Nick Cellini: Imagine a local multiplayer game where gravity is just a suggestion, much like what you experienced in Super Mario Galaxy back in 2007. That’s the heart of Which Way Up. Picture yourself in a chaotic, competitive setting where players race, bounce, and bump around in mini-games and arenas.

This game is easy to grasp and packed with hilarious moments. Picture racing to escape a black hole, grabbing comets, or frantically passing a bomb around among friends on quirky planets. It’s made for those high-energy game nights and sibling showdowns, where shouting and laughter go hand in hand in the topsy-turvy universe we’ve created.

PS4B: The game seems to have evolved since its Kickstarter demo. Could you tell us what’s new in the version launching on March 27th?

Nick Cellini: Absolutely! The demo—still available if you want to test the waters—featured 6 of the 12 Galaxy Games and 5 out of 7 playable characters. You also got a sneak peek into our single-player narrative and universe personality.

The full launch includes all 12 Galaxy Games with 6 new mini-games not seen in the demo. For instance, in Hole In One, you’re strategically launching golf balls across shifting gravity fields for that perfect stroke. Puff Panic has you dodging fiery tantrums thrown by a baby dragon, while in Bumper Stars, it’s all about ramming friends into orbiting stars with a gravitational twist.

PS4B: With the launch almost here, what’s next for Turtle Flip Studio? Are we looking at some downtime, or is another project already brewing?

Nick Cellini: After this exhilarating sprint, a breather is definitely in order. Releasing a game takes everything out of you, especially with a tight-knit team. We’re thrilled to finally share it with the world and can’t wait to see players engage with the crazy world we crafted.

As for what’s on the horizon, we have some sparks of ideas. Our cast of Celestial characters isn’t going anywhere, and we’re contemplating a new project in the same universe but from a totally different angle—think single-player mining and building experiences. We’re just in the idea stage, but there’s definitely a flicker of excitement.

In the meantime, we’ll enjoy the fruits of our labor, catch some sleep, and let the party game chaos ensue.

PS4B: Any thoughts on future updates for new characters, mini-games, or customization options?

Nick Cellini: We’d absolutely love to expand with new content post-launch. Our ears are open to player feedback, and we’re keen to keep nurturing this game if we can.

PS4B: Will Which Way Up include bots for multiplayer sessions?

Nick Cellini: Including bots was a tough call. Each of our 12 Galaxy Games would have needed individually tailored AI, which is no small task. Ultimately, we focused our efforts on crafting a nostalgic, local multiplayer experience perfect for friends and families to enjoy together.

PS4B: Thanks for the insights! Is there anything else you’d like to add before we wrap up?

Nick Cellini: Just a big thank you for having me and letting me share a piece of our journey!

That’s all from Nick and Turtle Flip Studio for now. Be sure to check out Which Way Up: Galaxy Games and prepare for a gravity-defying good time!