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Remember being a kid and thinking that your teddy bears are secretly plotting against you whilst you sleep? Just us? Well, it’s now a reality! Naughty Bear is A2M’s latest creation featuring brutal bear-on-bear action, all wrapped up in a cutesy cartoon-esque setting. We caught up with the Naughty Bear developers for more info on the psychotic bear and his homicidal tendencies…

1/ Did somebody have a bad experience with a teddy bear in their childhood to come up with the concept for Naughty Bear? If not what was the inspiration behind Naughty Bear?

Much of the inspiration for Naughty Bear came from Saturday morning cartoons, and the idea of juxtaposing that innocence with dark humor and over-the-top violence. We think the blend of syrupy cuteness and cartoon violence works because of the foundation of an innovative AI in the game, making Naughty Bear a unique, fun experience every time you pick up the controller.

2/ Naughty Bear has a wicked sense of humour at its core, just how much fun was it coming up with the stories and the unique missions, let alone the numerous ways to kill, scare, torture and cause mischief?

It’s as much fun as it sounds! The world is crazy and filled with all sorts of characters. It’s always fun to work within a world where pretty much anything can happen and you can let your imagination run riot.

3/ This isn’t a simple hack n slash, with mind games appearing to be just as important. How much psychological damage, or torture can you inflict on your victims, and how close to the edge can you push them?

Absolutely right. We like players to approach the game anyway they like. Obviously you can smash stuff and fight bears, all of which will give you points and add to your total score. However, the real big points come in getting the other bears to witness what you do. Killing a bear is very naughty but getting 3 other bears to witness you doing it is outrageously naughty and will earn you massive points. As for pushing them to the edge…well, we allow you to push them OVER the edge

4/ How reactive is the AI in Naughty Bear? Do the bears react the same way every time, or do they adapt to you and how you play?

Our AI is completely unscripted. We give each character some knowledge and a personality. Then we let them go about their business. There are no set patrol paths or zones they can’t go. They are only limited by their wants and needs. This makes for a very unpredictable enemy and means Players have to be alive to where they all are.
Each bear is unique and will react differently to you, some are courageous, some are cowards and will go and hide, and others are intelligent and will get help or form groups. It is important to understand every bear’s personality to get the most points from them. The tactics you will choose to use, the timing and where you perform them are also important to your success.

5/ To what extent can you use your surrounding environment to your advantage? And how interactive is the environment?

There are dozens of weapons players can use, from pistols and machetes to common, everyday objects like a refrigerator or a BBQ grill. Players can interact a lot with the environment, sabotage is a good example along with the traps that you can place anywhere you want. Clever players can even try to get some bears to fight each other.

6/ How many different kinds of weapons can we expect to find? And what is your current favourite?

There are lots of weapons players can use, from pistols, machine pistols and machetes and axes to common, everyday objects like a refrigerator or a BBQ grill.