God of War, Twisted Metal creator lands at indie studio

The next project from Twisted Metal and God of War creator David Jaffe has been revealed. Independent game studio Pixelbionic announced today that Jaffe has joined the company's advisory board as a creative advisor for the company's first title, vehicular combat game Autoduel.

The game appears to play to Jaffe's strengths, as it is described as one that pays homage to classic car games like Interstate '76 and Jaffe's own Twisted Metal. The game is a PC online multiplayer game that "combines the high-octane thrills and spills of team-based car combat with RPG-influenced persistence and progression."

Autoduel is set in a postapocalyptic future where warriors "drive to survive" in armored vehicles scavenged from the crumbled landscape. Players will be able to choose from over 20 cars divided into three factions: ratters, scavengers, and techies.

These cars can be upgraded with everything from mechanical modifications to weapons and armor. Gamers can also customize the paintwork and add decals to "show their allegiance and express their unique style."

Pixelbionic management said it created the studio to create games like Autoduel because they are "ignored by publishers." Therefore, the game will be funded by a crowd-funding campaign through Kickstarter said to launch "soon."

Jaffe joins Pixelbionic's self-described "dream team" assembled by cofounder Maxx Kaufman, formerly of InXile Entertainment. Other members of the Autoduel team include designer Scot Kramaric (Interstate '82) and coder Rafael Paiz (The Matrix: Path of Neo).

"Our mission is to assemble a team of car combat visionaries to deliver the game fans want to not only play but also help create," said Pixelbionic cofounder and President Mike Arkin. "Autoduel pairs the vision of the best talent in the industry with the enthusiasm and support of gamers, a combination we are confident will set the bar for what can be achieved in a new PC vehicular combat game."

Others sitting on Pixelbionic's advisory board include Interstate '76 creator Zack Norman and Microsoft veteran Chanel Summers.

Jaffe left Twisted Metal studio Eat Sleep Play last year.