Moving Out News

Hey Movers!



Over the last few weeks we’ve been showcasing some of the levels in the game to give you more of an idea about our process and to highlight some of the little goodies you may have missed on your own playthrough. Now, we have something completely different to share. This week we’re talking about our patchwork quilt-like update to the game!



Firstly, we know how much you love the characters, so we were determined to give you more.

We’d like to introduce you to: T.Pott



When the heat is on and the pressure builds, it's T.Pott's time to shine! You can hear the jolly whistle on their lips a mile away, though they take more breaks than all the other movers combined.

Now, before you sit down to that cup of tea, we wanted to let you know that we have four new dances so you can make your favourite characters jiggle and bop like never before. Our wheelchair users get the Hop, our non-wheelchair users get the Running Man and everyone gets the Sprinkler and Wave. Go forth and dance, my friends!



On the challenge-front, we now have Platinum Times for you to beat. If you thought gold was too easy before - HA! - we now have an even harder challenge for you to sink your teeth into. Put yourselves to the test; we dare you!

Last but not least, there’s a secret something, something that we've added to the game. Not to brag or anything, but it’s pretty cool so let us know in the comments below if you see it!



Until next time,
Keep Moving!

Hello F.A.R.Ts!

Update 1.2 is now available for Moving Out on all platforms!

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New Mover: Meet T.Pott! When the heat is on and the pressure builds, it's T.Pott's time to shine!

Platinum Times & Medals: If you've beaten all gold times then this is the challenge for you!

It's time to dance: We've added four new dance moves for you to perform AND a fun new feature we're calling 'Disco Detector'...


We've also addressed a few issues (including the trophies/achievements that wouldn't unlock), squashed some bugs, and made a few quality of life adjustments!


See the full patch notes below...

• General bug fixes & improvements - including a fix for achievements/trophies that would not unlock
  
• Added ‘Disco Detector’ - Disco ball appears when all players dance at the same time
  
• Added additional controller layout options
  
• Added Platinum Times and Medals for base game levels
  
• Added a new character: T. Pott
  
• Updated text and localisations
  
• Added best times visibility for all player counts on the level results screen
  
• Added four new dances for the movers to perform
  

Hey Movers!

Last week we skated through 21 Slick Street, but this week we’re going round the bend with Roundabout Mansion!



In the previous level - Dread Manor - we introduced some ghoul-like ghosts, but those baddies were mostly avoidable if you played your cards right.

In Roundabout Mansion, we turned that on its head! Here you have two ghosts to avoid and you are definitely forced to interact with them - way more than in Dread Manor!

Let’s set the scene. The level has a roundabout in the centre to funnel both the movables AND the players, which forces those ghostly encounters!



Our level designers went through a bunch of iterations during development, but they were all based around this central idea.



The beauty of the level design is that the ghost has a predictable path. This lets the player time and plan their movements – hot tip: run counter-clockwise to have the best chance at avoiding or outrunning the ghost!

Alternate pathing with the hedge maze and pond was also designed so you could avoid the centre for some movables.

Like in Dread Manor, you can also slap the ghost to stun it. This gives you the option to take some control of the ghosts or simply avoid letting them see you. Spoilt for choice!



Last but not least, we had some fun with some hidden decorative gems. Let us know in the comments below if you noticed the cow and other elements hidden in the valley behind the house. We had fun ‘hiding’ things in the backgrounds of the levels here and there.



Until next time,
TeamSMG, moving out!

Hey Movers!

Last week we dived into the cool Poolside Pad, but this week we’re sliding on through to 21 Slick Street!



This level was really about combining some mechanics, namely slippery surfaces and dangerous vehicles.

Our level designers wanted the build on the challenge of the slippery surfaces of the previous level, Summer Chalet, by adding some moving dangers the player would have to avoid. Wading through the slick oil pools added a level of unpredictability and made navigating the obstacles just that little bit harder!



To keep the level progression solid, our designers kept the idea of multiple pathing – in this instance, from the car to the second floor, the front door and front windows – so players could go their own way.



With the mechanics firmly in place, the artists had some fun echoing the slippery gameplay with some dynamic prop storytelling. What if 21 Slick Street was owned by a world-famous ice-skater? What if she kept all her trophies and skating-wear on display? What if, in moving it all out, you took zero care of her belongings? They weren’t precious to her or anything, right? Great work, Smooth Moves.



Let us know in the comments if you picked up on the link between the skater’s home and the footprint-leaving-slickness of the street. Our artists will love you for it!

Until next time,
Slick it out xo

Hey Movers!

Last week we looked at The Hoop House but this week we’re shining our spotlight on the Poolside Pad!



Our designers really wanted to encourage players to hone their throwing and catching skills, but how best to do that? I’m glad you asked! The logically creative solution is to put a pool in the way, of course!



This liquid body of sweet blue water gave the players a real shortcut, but one that required a level of skill we wanted the players to develop. With long and convoluted pathing when avoiding that throw/catch mechanic... well, NOT throwing objects actually hinders your progress. Oh, you level designers!



To really upskill the player, we added a whole bunch of fragile items to the level, making teamwork almost a requirement for success.



Lastly, we added an extra level of hidden fun. The pool is JUST wide enough that you can brazenly jump across when you use a moveable as a ramp. So throw down a fridge or cantilever a bed over the pool’s edge to use it as a launching pad to fly, baby. FLY!



If you haven’t given the Poolside Pad it’s day in the sun, why not dive right into the deep end? Let us know in the comments below if you’ve used a movable to rocket launch yourself through the air and if so, tell us just how it felt to take that air!

Until next time,
Team SMG, Moving Out!