LargeAnimal
Encyclopedia
Large Animal Games is an independent casual game developer
based in New York City, New York founded in January 2001 by Wade Tinney and Josh Welber. Both partners are graduates of the MFA program in interactive design at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Large Animal has made about 60 games; puzzle games, celebrity name games, role-playing games, action games, and word games for clients. The name comes from the company's general love of animals.
Future development includes RocketBowl
for the Xbox 360
game console, as well as new client games.
Large Animal currently develops Flash
based widget games called Playwidgets and has a collection of web versions of its PC games. Some web versions are limited releases of the regular games, while others are modified to work in a web browser.
is currently under development. This framework is designed to support a variety of games, created in Flash, that allow for the player to create their own game objects. Once a game object is created the player can use it in the game right away, send it to a friend via email, and submit it to the public gallery for other players of the game to use. CAS will provide some resources like server and database access to encourage 3rd party development.
The current iteration of CAS power Large Animal's Playwidgets, which also serve as a testbed for the framework.
and Bebo
members. Each game shares certain commonalities despite having different objectives. These include a leaderboard (which ranks players according to a variety of criteria), solo and social play options, a store, and rewarding of virtual trophies (“Achievements”) for excellence in play. All games are available free of charge.
, Bananagrams
was created as an online alternative to the popular word game. This version follows the same rules as the original, but adds features such as varied play modes (Solitaire and Café) as well as options to challenge friends and engage in live play. Bananagrams players may exchange Banana Chips (credits) for items such as new tiles and playing boards in the store.,
is styled after arcade
pinball
games, and the object is for a character (a “Star”) to consume as much food as possible while hitting bumpers and racking up points. Players have three chances to clear the screen of food and progress to the next level. Credits are earned with each game and can be applied towards the purchase of new characters, screen backgrounds, custom bumpers, and food items.,
http://www.bowlluckystrike.com/home maintains the same objective as a traditional bowling
game. Players control the speed and angle with which the ball is released and scoring is recorded at the bottom of the screen. The Pro Shop offers players the chance to personalize their games with new bowling balls, alleys, and background music. Lucky Strike Lanes has received critical acclaim for its realism.
Casual game
A casual game is a video game targeted at or used by a mass audience of casual gamers. Casual games can have any type of gameplay, and fit in any genre. They are typically distinguished by their simple rules and lack of commitment required in contrast to more complex hardcore games...
based in New York City, New York founded in January 2001 by Wade Tinney and Josh Welber. Both partners are graduates of the MFA program in interactive design at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Large Animal has made about 60 games; puzzle games, celebrity name games, role-playing games, action games, and word games for clients. The name comes from the company's general love of animals.
Future development includes RocketBowl
RocketBowl
RocketBowl is a sports game developed by LargeAnimal and published by GarageGames, released November 4, 2004 for Windows. The game features a retro-futuristic 1950's theme...
for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
game console, as well as new client games.
Games
Large Animal has developed client games and also produced its own titles. The more notable releases are:- AlphaQueue
- Fashion Solitaire
- RocketBowlRocketBowlRocketBowl is a sports game developed by LargeAnimal and published by GarageGames, released November 4, 2004 for Windows. The game features a retro-futuristic 1950's theme...
- Snapshot Adventures
- TeamUP
- Unipong
- Bricktopia
Large Animal currently develops Flash
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
based widget games called Playwidgets and has a collection of web versions of its PC games. Some web versions are limited releases of the regular games, while others are modified to work in a web browser.
CAS Framework
Create and Share FrameworkSoftware framework
In computer programming, a software framework is an abstraction in which software providing generic functionality can be selectively changed by user code, thus providing application specific software...
is currently under development. This framework is designed to support a variety of games, created in Flash, that allow for the player to create their own game objects. Once a game object is created the player can use it in the game right away, send it to a friend via email, and submit it to the public gallery for other players of the game to use. CAS will provide some resources like server and database access to encourage 3rd party development.
The current iteration of CAS power Large Animal's Playwidgets, which also serve as a testbed for the framework.
Social Games
In 2008, Large Animal Games began game development for social networking sites. Bumper Stars, Lucky Strike Lanes, and Bananagrams are all available to FacebookFacebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
and Bebo
Bebo
Bebo is a social networking website launched in July 2005. It is currently owned and operated by Criterion Capital Partners after taking over from AOL in June 2010....
members. Each game shares certain commonalities despite having different objectives. These include a leaderboard (which ranks players according to a variety of criteria), solo and social play options, a store, and rewarding of virtual trophies (“Achievements”) for excellence in play. All games are available free of charge.
Bananagrams
Developed in partnership with Majesco EntertainmentMajesco Entertainment
Majesco Entertainment is a video game publisher founded in 1986.-History:Majesco first made a name as a reissuer of old titles that had been abandoned by their original publisher. By cutting the prices dramatically and, eventually, arranging the rights to self-manufacture games for both Nintendo...
, Bananagrams
Bananagrams (social game)
Bananagrams, an online social game developed by Large Animal Games in partnership with Majesco Entertainment, made its network debut on Facebook on November 17, 2008. Success of the Bananagrams tile game developed by the Nathanson family prompted Bananagrams International to extend the brand online...
was created as an online alternative to the popular word game. This version follows the same rules as the original, but adds features such as varied play modes (Solitaire and Café) as well as options to challenge friends and engage in live play. Bananagrams players may exchange Banana Chips (credits) for items such as new tiles and playing boards in the store.,
Bumper Stars
Bumper StarsBumper Stars
Bumper Stars is an online, social, arcade game published on select social networking sites. Developed by Large Animal Games, Bumper Stars was released on April 24, 2007 on the social networking website Facebook. The game was later released on Bebo and MySpace. Stand-alone versions of Bumper Stars...
is styled after arcade
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
pinball
Pinball
Pinball is a type of arcade game, usually coin-operated, where a player attempts to score points by manipulating one or more metal balls on a playfield inside a glass-covered case called a pinball machine. The primary objective of the game is to score as many points as possible...
games, and the object is for a character (a “Star”) to consume as much food as possible while hitting bumpers and racking up points. Players have three chances to clear the screen of food and progress to the next level. Credits are earned with each game and can be applied towards the purchase of new characters, screen backgrounds, custom bumpers, and food items.,
Lucky Strike Lanes
Modeled after the national, upscale chain of alleys, Lucky Strike LanesLucky Strike Lanes
-History:2003 was the end of an era for the iconic Hollywood Star Lanes, an institution that served Hollywood for 43 years and was home to the filming of “The Big Lebowski”. In March it was leveled to make way for a school. But just as the door to one icon closed, another opened.In April of that...
http://www.bowlluckystrike.com/home maintains the same objective as a traditional bowling
Bowling
Bowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
game. Players control the speed and angle with which the ball is released and scoring is recorded at the bottom of the screen. The Pro Shop offers players the chance to personalize their games with new bowling balls, alleys, and background music. Lucky Strike Lanes has received critical acclaim for its realism.