In 2008, Torus received the prestigious Governor of Victoria Export Award for the Arts & Entertainment category. Film Victoria conducted a follow-up interview with Torus CEO, Bill McIntosh, in June 09.

Read the article for information on Torus’ recent successes, plans for the future, and the challenges of developing original IP concepts.

Torus is proud to announce our original prototype title, Little Monsters.

Starring eight stylized, archetypal monsters such as werewolves, mummies and zombies, this family platform title is based on cooperative, problem-solving game elements in an interactive 3D world. Developed with the assistance of Film Victoria, Little Monsters delivers a rich visual style which contrasts bright colouring with an ambient, spooky world that creates a deliciously eerie - but not overtly sinister - atmosphere.

Torus is currently seeking a publishing partner to bring this game to the world.

Torus Games celebrated its 15 year anniversary in 2009. Torus started in 1994 with the vision of creating an original game based on a character that all the founders were excited about. Shortly after starting, they took on some external projects. Their success and results lead to further projects being offered and they soon found themselves in demand as a quality work-for-hire solution. The big titles came in, new platforms followed, exciting publisher relationships ensued, and the Torus robot was born.

In 15 years Torus has grown to a staff of 65 and developed over 90 titles (see our Games page for further details).

If you'd like to join the Torus team and be a part of the next 15 years please see our Careers section.

We’ve had a huge year at Torus. The biggest news for 2008 is our long-awaited move in November to our new premises! Torus’ studio is now in the Eastern Melbourne suburb of Bayswater (see our Location section for directions).

We completed several projects this year, including:

• Monster Jam: Urban Assault - Wii, DS, PSP and PS2
• Backyard Football 2009 - DS
• Zoo Hospital - Wii
• Didj Racing Tiki Tropics - Leapster Didj
• Upgrading several Leapfrog titles for the Leapster 2 console

In 2009 we are working on another 3 projects across multiple platforms, including an original IP title. Unfortunately we cannot release the details until our publishers give the go-ahead. More information will be published when it becomes available! We have half a dozen other titles in discussion, so we will be kept busy well into the New Year.

We now have a second title which has reached 1,000,000 copies sold worldwide across multiple platforms. As well as Shrek Smash n’ Crash Racing (2006), we received the news that our first Monster Jam title (2007) has also achieved this milestone. This is a fantastic achievement for all of our staff who put in so much effort.

Torus was awarded the Arts and Entertainment category of the Victorian Export Awards in October 2008. Although we did not win the Australian Export Awards, we did succeed with the GDAA Awards for Best PC title and Best Handheld title at GCAP Brisbane in November. We also came runner-up in Best Gameplay, Best Audio, Best Graphics and Best Console Title. It was great to be recognized in so many categories.

2008 also saw Torus grow from 52 to 64 staff members. We have a fantastic team and more than a dozen of our employees are nearing - or have passed - their 10th year at Torus. We are delighted to still have them with us. Available positions, as always, are advertised on our Careers section and our HR manager can answer any queries you may have.

We also had some media interviews at Torus in 2008 – please see other articles featured in our 'News' section for further details.

We visited the Lyon Game Connection exhibition, the Dubai World Game Expo, the Leipzig Game Convention and GCAP in Brisbane; and we are now looking forward to the DICE Summit, Las Vegas in February 2009, and the Game Developer’s Conference at the San Francisco Game Connection in March. A news article will be posted in early 2009 with details of other conferences we will be attending this year.

Torus has relocated from Mitcham to our new premises in the Eastern suburb of Bayswater. Our contact number has also changed – please see our Contact section for our new phone number and address.

The new open-plan studio features a vast production area, large backyard and car-park, staff showers and a bar! We are still close to public transport and the local shopping centre.

The building - an old sports injury recovery clinic - has been completely gutted and renovated. Everything except the shell of the building is brand new!

Torus remains committed to the environment with a strong focus on recycling and minimal paper consumption. The new studio has a large water tank, energy-efficient light globes and a new state-of-the-art air conditioning system. Photos will be added soon.

Torus’ second Monster Jam title was released in the US at the end of October 2008. As well as the traditional arena events, you can now take the world’s toughest trucks to the streets! Crush cars, double-decker buses and taxis under your massive wheels and take part in mini-games like Monster Truck Skill Jump.

The release of Monster Jam: Urban Assault coincides with the news that the original Monster Jam has just hit 1,000,000 units sold world-wide.

Published by Activision, Monster Jam: Urban Assault is available on PS2, Wii, DS and PSP. It will be released in Australia and Europe in early 2009.

Torus has been awarded two GDAA Awards for 2008!

The awards were presented at the Game Connect Asia Pacific (GCAP) event in Brisbane, November 08.

Best PC Title was awarded to Monster Jam, PC
Best Handheld Title was awarded to Zoo Hospital, DS


Torus was also runner-up in the following four categories:

Best Console Title – Monster Jam, Wii
Best Gameplay – Monster Jam, PS2
Best Graphics – Monster Jam, X360
Best Audio – Zoo Hospital, Wii


GDAA website

Torus has been awarded the 2008 Arts and Entertainment Award for Victoria!

After receiving a commendation for the 2007 Governor of Victoria Export Awards (Arts, Entertainment and Design category), Torus entered again in 2008.

The winners were announced on 13th October and published the following day, on the Business Victoria website (click here to read the news article) and in the Age. Award winners from each State are automatically entered into the 2008 Australian Export Awards, to be announced in December 2008.


Other online articles:

Film Victoria
Inside Film

Tsumea's website published some fascinating articles in August 2008, featuring the origins of game developers in Australia. One article discusses how influential Torus has been for so many other local games companies.

Read the full article There’s Something About Torus Games and remember to check out the link to the Origins of Australian Game Developers.


Also have a look at the follow-up article posted 1st October 08, The Torus Games and Firelight Technologies/FMOD link.

We are delighted to announce the release of Zoo Hospital on the Wii.

This is our latest veterinary simulation and allows the player to treat 48 different animals from all over the world.

Treat the animals and keep them happy, raise the zoo’s rating so it can acquire more species, and prevent the zoo from being turned into a golf course!

US release date: 16th September 2008.