Hydrophobia (video game)

Hydrophobia
Developer(s)Dark Energy Digital
Publisher(s)Dark Energy Digital
Microsoft Studios (XBLA)
EngineHydroEngine
Platform(s)Xbox 360
Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
ReleaseXbox Live Arcade
September 29, 2010
Windows
  • NA: May 9, 2011
  • EU: October 11, 2011
PlayStation Network
  • NA: November 1, 2011
  • EU: November 2, 2011[1]
  • AU: April 25, 2012
Genre(s)Action adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Hydrophobia is an action adventure video game developed and published by Dark Energy Digital for Microsoft Windows, the PlayStation 3 and by Microsoft Studios for Xbox Live Arcade. The game was released for Xbox Live Arcade on September 29, 2010,[2] as part of Xbox Live's Games Feast promotion, marking the first of three episodes. The PC version was released in 2011.[3]

The game's engine, HydroEngine, provides realistic fluid dynamics technology for flowing water, allowing it to interact with the surroundings. The levels in the game were designed using InfiniteWorlds; a game creation system which uses bespoke procedural technology to significantly reduce file sizes, decreasing the overall file size of the game.

Hydrophobia received mixed reviews. Reviewers generally praised the game's dynamic water system, but felt the game was too short and repetitive. The developers released an update on December 21, 2010 addressing the complaints from feedback and reviews.

The game was supposed to be released in three episodes, but due to the poor reception the first episode gained, the company struggled and was placed in administration. As a result, the two other episodes were not made and the game was left on a cliffhanger.

  1. ^ Nichols, Scott (October 29, 2011). "'Hydrophobia Prophecy' coming to PSN next week". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  2. ^ "Hydrophobia". Xbox.com. Microsoft. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  3. ^ "Hydrophobia: Prophecy". Steam. Valve Corporation. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2023.