Alright, Gromit fans, brace yourselves! The PowerWash Simulator is taking a whimsical turn with the release of the Wallace & Gromit Special Pack, out today, and it promises to spruce up your gaming experience as you dive into the beloved world of Aardman’s iconic duo.
We’ve teamed up with the creative minds at Aardman Animations to bring the charm of 62 West Wallaby Street into the game with stunning accuracy. In this special pack, you’ll find five adventurous levels that take you from the quiet corners of their garden, through the hustle and bustle of their kitchen and dining room, all the way to a lunar escapade to cleanse the iconic Moon Rocket.
As you prep your crackers and cheese, join us for a peek behind the curtain with insights from FuturLab’s Mark Ginbey, the writer behind PowerWash Simulator, and animator Alannah Meek, who infuses the game with its delightful animations.
### Get Cracking!
Every special pack in PowerWash Simulator starts with a messy mystery, and the Wallace & Gromit pack is no different. This time, chaos descended upon 62 West Wallaby Street after a mechanical mishap — a mess to rival the infamous cracker catastrophe of ’89!
According to Ginbey, “Bringing the story of these beloved characters to life was a bit intimidating, but luckily Wallace and Gromit have a knack for getting into sticky situations, so story ideas came to us as swiftly as porridge spilling from a broken AutoChef.”
Instead of weaving an intricate plot, we simply placed our protagonists in classic settings and let the inevitable dirt build-up narrate the tale. “We even had the privilege of collaborating with Aardman’s talented writer Finbar Hawkins to refine our ideas and script,” adds Ginbey.
### Well Done, Lad
Meet the WASH LAD, an enthusiastic helper armed with its own industrial washer. This little bot is an adaptation of Wallace’s original Labor Assistant Device, or LAD, from their World of Invention series, reimagined to tackle stubborn grime. The new design features elbows for added maneuverability and legs instead of wheels to ensure there’s no nook left untouched.
Meek shares, “We developed a new character model specifically for Wallace and Gromit, maintaining as many elements from the original LAD while integrating it with the PowerWash Simulator’s character rig. New animations ensure it stands out with a distinctly robot-like feel.”
As you guide the WASH LAD, you’ll notice it stands taller than the usual PowerWash character, complete with the mechanical sounds of its own hydraulic system. Playing alongside friends, you can form a team of little robotic cleaners to tackle grime together.
### Level Deep Dive
Let’s kick back with a wedge of cheese and wander through the iconic settings, beginning in Wallace and Gromit’s Dining Room and Kitchen.
#### Dining Room & Kitchen
Prepare to uncover references from across the franchise’s history and engage with interactive elements like the train set, adding layers to the immersive experience. “Animating the toy train presented quite the challenge!” says Meek. “We devised a new animation system to animate each train carriage fluidly on its tracks.”
#### Wallace & Gromit’s House
This level showcases British suburbia at its finest, inviting you to freshen up the duo’s charming front garden and the façade of their classic home. Venture into Gromit’s kennel to peek into his world as you clean up the iconic inventions scattered about, like the Soccamatic and Shopper 13.
#### The Knit-O-Matic
In the basement, the Knit-O-Matic awaits a thorough cleaning. This machine, in dire need of TLC, adds a playful touch. “Animating washable items like the Knit-O-Matic brings vibrancy to the scene,” notes Meek. This space offers high ceilings and an intriguing mix of machinery to explore.
#### Wallace & Gromit’s Vehicles
On a rare sunny English day, give their eclectic collection of vehicles a good cleaning. From the Snomanotron to the Top Bun bakery van, each is in need of your power-washing expertise. Just be careful with the Techno Trousers — they deserve a gentle cycle!
#### The Moon Rocket
Finally, return the Moon Rocket to its former glory. This level challenges you to wash away the layers of grime from its exterior and restore the cozy cockpit to its shiny best, all while dealing with the residue of an otherworldly picnic.
We’re thrilled to take you on this behind-the-scenes journey! Ready to visit 62 West Wallaby Street? We’ll have the kettle on for a truly spiffy cleaning adventure.
PowerWash Simulator is accessible to Xbox Game Pass members, but the Wallace & Gromit Special Pack requires a separate purchase on the Xbox Store. Get ready to clean like you’ve never cleaned before!
