Home > FAQ
The Behemoth is an independent console game developer that specializes in making collectible games that
are fun to play and beautiful to look at. Founded by veteran console developers in 2003, the Behemoth
is headquartered in San Diego, California.Because we are such a rare bird in the video game industry, we've developed a FAQ to clear up any questions
about how this title came into being.
Q. Hmmm...so boys, what's your story?
In January 2003 we were an experienced console team about to be laid off because of consolidation in the video game industry. When we saw the end was near, we decided it would be better to start our own company than to look for a job and work for someone else again.
Our debut title is Alien Hominid. It's a high resolution, hand-drawn video game that has a lot of action and a lot of color compared to what's out on the shelf these days. It is very much against the grain of traditional
corporate game development - no 3D, no hyper realistic graphics, no boobs.
Q.Sounds risky....
Yes, we knew from the start no one would fund the game because it was new IP, we were a new company and it wasn't 3D. At our former companies we'd done many, many concept pitches for publishers so we knew no one would believe in us and our game until they saw the finished product. So we funded the entire development
ourselves.
Q: Wait, if you guys are indie, why do you have a published game on retail shelves?
We paid for the entire development of the game because no one believed enough in the title to fund us. No money of any kind from anyone other than the four owners of the Behemoth. After the game was finished we began to shop it around to publishers. For those not familiar with the console game food chain, to make console games you have to go through a publisher who is licensed by the console manufacturer to produce and distribute games for a particular console. Typically the publisher will fund the game from the prototype stage to completion, but that was not our case.
Q: What did you have to go through to fund the game?
We did the same things that every indie filmmaker does - mortgaged our houses, cashed in the 401k's, liquidated savings accounts, and took second jobs. It goes without saying that no one has seen a real paycheck since we started. In the end, every bit of our success is due to our wives, kids and girlfriends who believed in our crazy dream and put up with us.
Q. Are there advantages to self funding the game?
Yes, if the developer self funds the game, it is usually much easier to keep control of the intellectual property. We've kept control of the IP with Alien Hominid, so it gives us a lot of flexibility in everything from being able to do figurines to going to trade shows without having to ask permission.
Q. Trade shows? Figurines?
Yeah, we do and pay for a lot more than just development. We've been to Comic Con five years in a row now to help build awareness for the game. We did it all- designed the booth, built it ourselves, and of course paid for it all. This past year it was fantastic to meet all the fans. We were able to start selling our figurines and other merchandise at the Con and as an additional revenue stream, it has really helped our bottom line. We've expanded our trade show circuit to include the Penny-Arcade Expo, and Wonder-Con. One day we even plan to attend the Toky Game Show too!
Q: Who is your North American publisher?
We are currently self-publishing all of our own titles! If you would like more information about this please email us
Q: Will AH be available in Europe?
Yes! Alien Hominid released in Europe on May 27th, 2005! If you would like to pick up a copy, go here
Q: What consoles is Alien Hominid available for?
Alien Hominid is currently available for the Xbox LIVE Arcade platform for 800 Microsoft points. Previous releases of the title were on the Sony PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube consoles in North America. The European version is available for the PS2 and XBOX. Yeah, we know that is confusing; it's just the way things work out sometimes.
Q: Will there be a PC version of AH?
We have no current plans for a PC version
Q: Isn't this a Flash game? I played it on Newgrounds!
The original was a Flash game, but we made this new version from scratch! We brought back the bosses from the web version, although they have been re-drawn and re-programmed. Everything is much, much better and the game is much longer. You can read more about the game on this site!
Q: So how much money did you pay Tom (Newgrounds) & Dan (synj) for the rights to their Flash game?
Nothing, Tom and Dan are co-founders of the Behemoth! It's all the same people as before, with support from
an expanded team of console industry veterans. We didn't sell out to anyone!
Q: That is just so cool. How many levels?
We have 16 levels, complete with mini-bosses and main-bosses and cool cinematics. We've also added Easter
eggs and a boatload of mini-games! Call in sick and prepare to fail all your classes!
Q: How many players?
One or two players can play the main game. We've also included mini-games which allow up to four players
simultaneously. It's a lot of fun! Don't worry if you're in a tight spot, another player can jump in at any time!
Q: Why did you make it 2D?
Why not?
As explained in our Gamespot interview, we experimented with a variety of alien renderings. We first approached the console version with a really slick looking 3D version of the alien, however the feel of the original was completely lost. We decided to stick with cartoon renderings. Our next attempt was a 3D cell- shaded alien, but it looked like everything else on the market. Ultimately, hand-drawn was the only way to maintain the kinetic energy of the characters and connect the individual artists to the gamer. 3D can't capture the magic of hand-illustrated, hand-animated characters.
Q: What toy company is making your figurines?
We are not involved with any toy companies. We're so hardcore we made the figurines ourselves! The original
molds were sculpted by Clint Burgin, a friend here in San Diego. Clint's friend Brian then delivered the molds to Hong Kong, where they were put into production. Months later, we had finished figurines!
Q: Why are you having your figurines made in China? That's UN-PATRIOTIC!
There are no longer any factories in the US who would produce our figurines. Believe us, we tried. Take a walk around your local toy store and read the boxes - MADE IN CHINA! The production takes place in a certified factory that does not employ child or prison labor, so we are about as ethical as you can get.
Q: Where can I get the figurines
Order them from our official Behemoth Store!
Q: Is ordering from you guys secure?
Yes!
Q: Who made the music?
The entire console soundtrack was created by Matt Harwood of Petrified Productions. We have a better soundtrack than most movies!
Q: What's a "hominid"?
It basically means human-like. An "alien hominid" is a human-like being that is not from this earth, but perhaps related to us in some way. We don't bother to explore that connection, though.
Q: Are you guys hiring?
Not at the moment! We're currently pretty happy with our team size and when we do plan on expanding we will definitely let you know. Please don't send us your resume unless you worked on Gunstar Heroes.
Q: I have a cool game idea. Can you make my game?
We have a lot of good game ideas too. Please don't send us yours. We want to avoid the liability of someone sending us a generic idea, only to complain when they think we stole it.
Q: What's your next game going to be?
Castle Crashers is our next title and is currently in development. When it is ready it will launch on the Xbox Live Arcade platform.