Hey everyone, I’m Mike Tucker, the design director and programmer over at Bitmap Bureau. Today, I’m excited to announce that on September 5, we’re launching our officially licensed 2D action side-scroller, Terminator 2D: No Fate, for both PS5 and PS4!
Our team has put a ton of heart into creating an action-packed arcade experience, complete with breathtaking pixel art—the kind of stuff we absolutely love. Given that this is our first licensed project, ensuring we honored the legendary status of Terminator 2 was a top priority for us.
I’ve always felt that Terminator 2D: No Fate is like a heartfelt tribute to the arcade games from the ’80s and ’90s. The goal was to design the side-scroller for T2 that we all wished existed back in the day. Players will have the opportunity to step into the shoes of Sarah Connor, John Connor, and the T-800 as they embark on arcade-style missions that not only revisit the iconic Terminator 2: Judgment Day but also expand upon its storyline.
Let’s talk about Sarah Connor. Our team absolutely loves the film, especially Sarah Connor, who is arguably one of the best action heroes ever. We knew that having her as a playable character had to be something special, so we focused on making her gameplay authentic. Sarah’s agility and reactive moves reflect her intense training and paranoia. She’s a melee combat expert, sliding into foes for those close-up hits, and that fearlessness is electric. We even included a nod to the famous Miles Dyson scene by giving her a laser sight—sure, it locks her in place, but it amps up the damage significantly.
And then there’s John Connor. One of the most thrilling parts of our development was creating the Future War missions where players get to lead the Resistance with an adult John Connor. T2 just teased us with glimpses of his leadership, so we had a lot of fun building on his lore. His gameplay is all about strategic combat from mid to long range, featuring a plasma rifle, pipe bombs, and three different ammo types. While he’s not as nimble as Sarah, he can roll tactically to dodge attacks.
Now, enter the T-800. Few movie characters have the presence that the T-800 commands. We designed him to move with purpose, showcasing his strength and heft, especially through devastating moves like his shoulder barge. Slower than the others, sure, but what he lacks in speed, he makes up for in toughness—he can soak up damage like nobody’s business. Designing his levels was a super fun challenge, like reimagining those iconic scenes such as the Corral bar brawl, and the epic 2D arcade-style motorcycle getaway from the T-1000.
Speaking of the T-1000, we’re dealing with one of the most iconic villains ever. Robert Patrick’s chilling portrayal—the deliberate walk, the relentless dash—was imperative to capture. Translating his liquid metal abilities into pixel art took quite a bit of problem-solving, but our animators truly nailed his menacing aura. Players are definitely in for a treat when they come face to face with him in the game.
Working on a project tied to such an iconic film has been a tremendous privilege. The characters from Terminator 2 hold a special place in cinematic history, and we hope players will find as much joy playing them as we did bringing them to life.
Mark your calendars for September 5 when Terminator 2D: No Fate arrives on PS5 and PS4.
