ZOOL REDIMENSIONED JUMPS ONTO STEAM THIS AUGUST

13th August 2021

Retro gaming fans rejoice! Secret Mode and Sumo Digital Academy are proud to announce Zool Redimensioned coming to Steam on August 18th.    

Originally released by Gremlin Graphics (later Gremlin Interactive) – the spiritual predecessor to Sumo Digital - in 1992 on the Amiga to critical acclaim, iconic gaming mascot Zool returns in Zool Redimensioned!  

This brand-new reimagining of the classic action platforming adventure has been rebuilt from the ground up for modern audiences. Help Zool jump, spin, and shoot his way across eight alien worlds, taking down menacing bosses and saving the universe from the nefarious influence of Krool.

Zool Redimensioned has been brought back to life by the students of Sumo Digital Academy, a talent development programme focused on creating new pathways into the games industry. With guidance from the developers of the 1992 original at Gremlin Interactive, this team of talented young developers earned their coding wings by programming their own C++ game engine to bring Zool to a new generation of retro gamers. Half of Secret Mode’s revenue will go back to Sumo Digital Academy as part of ongoing support of their important student initiative.   

Zool’s old school platforming action will challenge the most hardcore gamers, with modern enhancements that bring the game into the 21st century:  

  • Over 28 retro platforming challenges, all enhanced for the best possible experience 
  • Choose between two main game modes: Redimensioned for a more accessible modern experience, or Ultimate Ninja to experience a true hardcore challenge 
  • Trade blows with the dimension's most dangerous creatures in seven completely redesigned boss fights 
  • Discover new secrets, challenges, and extras across your adventure, with over 25 achievements to unlock 
  • Enhanced quality-of-life options, including a level select screen, checkpoints, accessibility options and more 
  • Play the original Mega Drive version for a truly authentic retro adventure 

Leading the Sumo Digital Academy cohort to create Zool Redimensioned was Dr Jacob Habgood, Director of Education Partnerships at Sumo Group, who said: “The process of remaking Zool has enabled the Academy’s first cohort of aspiring programmers to grow into a professional programming team; encouraging and supporting each other as they applied their art to the shared goal of making Zool Redimensioned the best possible game it could be! 

"The game and its 2D game engine (the Nth Dimension Engine), were written entirely in C++ by the academy interns: many of whom hadn’t written a line of C++ code 12-months earlier.  

“The entire product has been lovingly restored by apprentices to their trades and purchasing it will help to support future generations of new talent in the academy.” 

Zool Redimensioned is available now to Wishlist on Steam. 

As for the Sumo Academy, it’s currently preparing to open applications for its second year of interns - due to start in January 2022 - to create more fantastic games and develop the next generation of game development talent. More information can be found here.