Bit Bot Media and FreakZone Games teamed up for a video game adaptation of Richard O’Brien’s cult classic musical Rocky Horror Show. Now available on Steam and Nintendo, the sidescrolling 8-bit game, features chiptune renditions of the songs we all know and love, including Time Warp!, and I caught up with Bit Bot's Joshua Viola to learn more about the making of the game:
It's hard to believe it's been 50 years since the start of Rocky Horror Show. What was your first experience with the show and why does it mean so much to you?
Joshua Viola: I live in Denver, and just outside the city, we have one of the most incredible amphitheater venues in the world—Red Rocks. If you're not familiar with it, seriously, stop what you're doing and Google it. It’s breathtaking; nestled between towering red stone cliffs, right in the middle of nature. The seating is open-air, so you’re under the starry night sky, and the acoustics are naturally flawless. Red Rocks has a program called Film on the Rocks, where they show classic films outdoors, and the audience really gets into it. That’s where Rocky Horror comes in. Seeing the film there for the first time, surrounded by so many passionate fans, was an absolute blast. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you.
After seeing the trailer for the game, it just made so much sense and I'm surprised it hadn't been done before. How did the idea for this game come about and how did you team up with Freak Zone Games?
Joshua Viola: Rocky Horror Show really felt like the perfect fit for this type of experience, and most of the credit goes to Sam Beddoes of FreakZone Games. He poured so much passion into the design, and it truly shines through. Originally, I had a different Rocky Horror project in mind, but when that didn't come together, I was already collaborating with FreakZone on another game. That's when it hit me—we could do something similar for Rocky Horror. Sam was immediately on board when I pitched the idea, and the rest is history!
The game looks like a lot of fun, with a variety of gameplay. What can you tell us about the character or characters you play as and the challenges you'll face?
Joshua Viola: You'll get to play as Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott, essentially reliving the iconic moments from the musical—with an 8-bit twist. It’s such a fun way to experience those scenes, and we’ve included plenty of playful gags and parodies for gamers too. The gameplay really adds a fresh layer to the Rocky Horror experience.
I loved hearing the music from Rock Horror Show in the 8-bit style sound. What was the process for adapting the show's iconic songs for the game?
Joshua Viola: That’s all thanks to Sam—he’s a chiptune master! If you’re not familiar with his previous work, he developed the Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures games and composed the score for that series as well. He absolutely nailed it again with this project.
Can you share the game's release plans with us? Will it be available on Steam and all major consoles?
Joshua Viola: The game is [now available] on Steam and Nintendo, with Xbox, PlayStation, and mobile versions to follow. Keep an eye on the Bit Bot and FreakZone social channels for the official release date, and then we can all do the Time Warp again!
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From the press release: Richard O’Brien’s iconic musical Rocky Horror Show is being reimagined as a retro video game, just in time for the 50th anniversary of the 1973 stage production. The Rocky Horror Show Video Game is available now as a digital release on Nintendo Switch and Steam, with other consoles and mobile platforms coming at a later date. The sidescroller adaptation will feature 8-bit graphics and chiptune renditions of the beloved classic songs, including the fan-favorite "Time Warp."
The Rocky Horror Show Video Game faithfully recreates scenes and dialogue from the original stage play, allowing players to step into the shoes of Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott. Each level is meticulously designed to capture the essence of the original sets in a nostalgic 8-bit format. Gameplay combines challenging but rewarding platforming and light combat elements, such as picking up and throwing objects at enemies and other experiments from Dr. Frank N Furter's laboratory.
“As a longtime fan of The Rocky Horror Show, it was an honor to adapt the legendary musical into a video game,” says designer Sam Beddoes. “Now both new fans and veterans can enjoy a whole new take on the story and music in crunchy 8-bit goodness.”
The Rocky Horror Show Video Game is designed and developed by Sam Beddoes of FreakZone Games and produced by Joshua Viola and Klayton (Celldweller) of Metal X Entertainment/Bit Bot Media. The Rocky Horror Show Video Game will be published by FreakZone Games (Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures and Spectacular Sparky) and Bit Bot Media, a new, cutting-edge multimedia company from Klayton (Celldweller/Scandroid), the multifaceted musician known for his contributions to major motion pictures, TV, and video games including Transformers, Malignant, and Killer Instinct, and Denver Post bestselling writer Joshua Viola (Soul Reaver, True Believers). This will be the first ever video game release from Bit Bot Media, whose Kickstarter campaign for The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – The Dead Shall Rise graphic novel has raised more than 1.4 million dollars and is currently the fourth most funded graphic novel and comic book project of all time on Kickstarter.
“The Rocky Horror Show is a unique experience that transcends traditional entertainment, and we wanted to bring that magic to gamers—whether they're already fans of the IP or discovering it for the first time,” says producer Joshua Viola. “For those familiar with Rocky Horror, they'll get to relive it in a fresh, exciting way. For newcomers, it’s an unforgettable introduction to a cult classic, delivered with a twist only a video game can provide. But beyond all that, it's simply a blast to play. At its core, it's a true platformer, and we've made sure the gameplay is every bit as engaging as the musical itself.”
After spending more than 10 years as a consultant in the tech and entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his interest in horror and sci-fi. Since then, it has grown into an online magazine with a staff of writers that provide daily news, reviews, interviews, and special features.
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