Reporting on the games made in Canada and the creators behind them
No one is safe from Runbow. 13AM Games announced today via Twitter that "by popular demand" Runbow will be coming to Nintendo Switch in 2018.
Well folks, by popular demand, #Runbow is coming to #NintendoSwitch in 2018! Debuting at #TGS2017! :D pic.twitter.com/ZLSZK4MvcI
— 13AM Games (@13amgames) September 14, 2017
13AM Games recently announced a PlayStation 4 port, but the game is available on Wii U, Steam, 3DS, and Xbox One.
Toronto-based 13AM Games have announced their side-scrolling, kaiju beat-'em-up game will be releasing on pretty much every platformer later this month on March 15th. Limited Run Games also has a physical edition for all platforms you can check out here.
After gracing the Nintendo Switch in April as a launch window game, Vertex Pop's Graceful Explosion Machine will be making its way to PlayStation 4, and Steam next month.
“Graceful Explosion Machine (GEM, for short) goes light on story and all-in on intense action gameplay. Sure, you’ll face an overwhelming swarm of enemies, but to help you out you have access to four unique and devastatingly powerful weapons at all times.
Each weapon is mapped to a face button, so switching between them is instant and effortless. Before you know it, you’ll be chaining weapons attacks together, building stylish combos, and racking up huge scores.”
Graceful Explosion Machine is coming to Steam and PlayStation 4 on August 8th, 2017. http://vertexpop.com/gem
There was a few more tibits information in the announcement. The game will be coming to Japan thanks to Kakehashi Games, and there will be an update that speeds up the loading times, and introduces some changes to the scoring system, and sharing:
“We started by redesigning the score screen to give a clearer breakdown of your score, weapon usage, and additional stats that better reflect your play style. It’s both fun and functional.
We also wanted to make it easier to capture and share those clutch GEM moments. Once you’re in the zone, we know it’s hard to stop the game even for a few seconds to grab a screenshot, so we had to come up with a really creative solution.
Or, more accurately, a really technical one: We designed an AI system to pinpoint the most exciting moment of your run, which we then automagically screenshot and display on the score screen. You can fullscreen it, add it to your Album, share it, etc.”
That patch is out now on Switch, and will be available on PlayStation 4 and Steam when the game launches August 8th.
Toronto-based indie studio Vertex Pop (@vertexpop) has partnered with Super Rare Games (@SuperRareGames) to release a limited 4,000 copy physical release of their 2017 shoot 'em up Graceful Explosion Machine.
It's E3 time! EA has done their conference, and the rest of them will be happening tomororw and Monday. Here are all the videos where we did predictions! Remember to subscribe on Youtube!
It's E3 Prediction time! What do we thinking Nintendo will do? What about Toronto developers? Listen and find out. Sponsored by: https://machinimasound.com/ Subscribe on iTunes!: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/v... Subscribe on Google!: https://play.google.com/music/listen?... Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: https://patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: https://designbyhumans.com/shop/Toron...
It's the week before E3! What do we think EA, Ubisoft, and Bethesda will announce? What are we excited about, and what are we not excited about? All while playing some Binding of Issac coop on PlayStation 4. Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: https://patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: https://designbyhumans.com/shop/Toron...
Happy E3 week! This time we talk about what we want from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft at this year's E3. Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: https://patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: https://designbyhumans.com/shop/Toron...
NHL17 - we're playing some Canada vs Europe. Plus we talked about some E3 predictions (this was recorded a few weeks before posting). Available to Patreon's first! Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: https://patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: https://designbyhumans.com/shop/Toron... Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: https://patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: https://designbyhumans.com/shop/Toron...
We were big fans of Vertex Pop's Graceful Explosion Machine when it launched on Nintendo Switch back in April. We talked about it on the podcast, and did a few Youtube videos playing it.
One of the biggest criticisms with the game was you couldn't uploaded scores if you weren't online, even at a later date. With the Switch being a very portable system, it was kind of a bummer.
Vertex Pop has changed that with Graceful Explosion Machine v1.0.2 which adds the ability to add a high score later, as well as reducing the screenshaking.
"We’ve heard from people playing GEM on trains, buses, at work, etc. who get really great high scores, but can’t upload them because they aren’t online. This breaks our collective developer hearts, so for v1.0.2 we’ve added Upload Score Later.
From the Score Screen, choose “Later” instead of “Submit Score” to save your score for uploading later. Then, when you’re back online, go to the main menu and select “Upload Scores” (by pressing X) to upload all the pending scores. (And don’t worry, if it fails to upload you can retry later!)
We also added the option to reduce or disable the Screenshake effect. If you have motion sickness related concerns, this should really help. It may not be perfect (our options are limited given what a fast-paced game GEM is), but it’s definitely an improvement!"
They also mentioned they snuck in some "smaller" fixes as well. You can check out Graceful Explosion Machine on Switch.
Cat couple owner slash game dev studio Max Inferno announced a 2nd DLC pack for their tidy puzzler.
Halifax-based devs Max Inferno have released Cupboards & Drawers DLC for their 2022 puzzler A Little to the Left.
Vancouver-based indie powerhouse Brace Yourself Games (@BYG_Vancouver) announced their upcoming rhythm game spinoff will be released on Nintendo Switch as well as Steam.
Kitchener-based indie studio Fluxscopic have released their 2021 puzzle-loaded action adventure game Mayhem in Single Valley on consoles.
Toronto-based indie powerhouse Vagabond Dog is releasing a physical copy of their cult classic 2014 RPG maker title Always Sometimes Monsters in partnership with Limited Run Games.
Cuphead is celebrating its initial launch on PC and Xbox One 5 years ago today, September 29, with the announcement of a physical copy of the game coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Switch.
Vancouver-based Next Level Games are releasing a 2nd free content update for their wacky sports game released earlier this year, published by Nintendo.
Vancouver-based live service game devs Phoenix Labs (@PhoenixLabs), best known for Dauntless, have announced their new project Fae Farm (@fae_farm) in today’s Nintendo Direct- which will launch exclusively on Switch in Spring 2023.
Halifax-based indie dev @dicey announced in today’s Nintendo Direct that TUNIC (@tunicgame), his action adventure about a tiny fox in a big world, is coming to Nintendo Switch at the end of this month.
There’s a new physical edition (including a collector’s edition version) for Toronto-based Adam Robinson-Yu (@adamgryu)’s delightful 2019 park-platformer A Short Hike.
Disclaimer: Sorry for bad audio - it's late. User Your Words got announced for Nintendo Switch, and what's with Minecraft on Switch? Use Your Words: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/blog/use-your-words-announced-for-nintendo-switch Minecraft On Switch: http://ca.ign.com/articles/2017/05/15/microsoft-on-why-minecraft-is-720p-on-nintendo-switch
First it was released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and then later on Wii U - now the party comedy game will be making its way to the Nintendo Switch. Details, such as release date, are thin but if you're looking for some Toronto developed games on Switch - may I suggest Graceful Explosion Machine?
Everybody's favorite new party game is coming to Nintendo Switch! Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/useyourwords Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/useyourwordsgameSBG More information at http://useyourwords.lol
Solo indie dev expert and longtime friend-of-the-site Devon Wiersma joins us to talk their latest release Centauri Dark, working across AAA, mid-sized and solo indie dev and how to fix this goshdarn industry.
David B joins us from the west coast best coast to talk about the upcoming Quiver Games Incubator!
Bizdev extraordinaire Eric Beer joins us to give his Hades II impressions and chat v-bucks subsidized game preservation.
We break down Baldur Gate 3's unprecedented success & the knock-on effects it'll have on the industry and how we make games moving forward. We also speak to Ontario-based indie game devs Twinolli about their upcoming action-puzzler Highlighters which just got a (Dad Deck-verified) Steam demo!
We speak to Québécois game dev Dragon Slumber, creator of Tech Support, Aethernaut and many more!
We reveal the winners of our ‘23 Community Awards poll and discuss Drinkbox’s latest teaser for their next project- and more!
This week thousands more game developers join Stephan in the "terminated by evil, stupid people" camp as layoffs hit tons of studios all over Canada and the world. We discuss Sonic as well. Sonic supports Unionizing your Workplace!
Stephan got terminated but that’s okay he just has more time to cover Canadian games now.
Originally avaliable to Patreon's for a week, Chris and I played some Mario Kart 8.
The next Patreon video is out! This time we're playing some Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch. Available to Patreon's for one week. Remember to subscribe and leave a comment! Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: designbyhumans.com/shop/TorontoGameDevs
Cat couple owner slash game dev studio Max Inferno announced a 2nd DLC pack for their tidy puzzler.
Halifax-based devs Max Inferno have released Cupboards & Drawers DLC for their 2022 puzzler A Little to the Left.
Vancouver-based indie powerhouse Brace Yourself Games (@BYG_Vancouver) announced their upcoming rhythm game spinoff will be released on Nintendo Switch as well as Steam.
Kitchener-based indie studio Fluxscopic have released their 2021 puzzle-loaded action adventure game Mayhem in Single Valley on consoles.
Toronto-based indie powerhouse Vagabond Dog is releasing a physical copy of their cult classic 2014 RPG maker title Always Sometimes Monsters in partnership with Limited Run Games.
Cuphead is celebrating its initial launch on PC and Xbox One 5 years ago today, September 29, with the announcement of a physical copy of the game coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Switch.
Vancouver-based Next Level Games are releasing a 2nd free content update for their wacky sports game released earlier this year, published by Nintendo.
Vancouver-based live service game devs Phoenix Labs (@PhoenixLabs), best known for Dauntless, have announced their new project Fae Farm (@fae_farm) in today’s Nintendo Direct- which will launch exclusively on Switch in Spring 2023.
Halifax-based indie dev @dicey announced in today’s Nintendo Direct that TUNIC (@tunicgame), his action adventure about a tiny fox in a big world, is coming to Nintendo Switch at the end of this month.
There’s a new physical edition (including a collector’s edition version) for Toronto-based Adam Robinson-Yu (@adamgryu)’s delightful 2019 park-platformer A Short Hike.
Nintendo 2DS has been announced, and I'm not excited about it. Skies of Fury is out as well, and I'm more excited for that! Skies of Fury: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/blog/skies-of-fury-now-available Nintendo 2DS XL: https://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/2ds/new-nintendo-2ds/
As previously announced, Graceful Explosion Machine is out now on Nintendo Switch. The Vertex Pop shooter was previously announced last year, and then later confirmed for a Switch launch window release later. You can pick it up on your Switch right now for $13.99 CAD.
We'll have a full review for the game sometime in the next week, but until then you can check out my general thoughts below (it's really good):
Vertex Pop was kind enough to give me a code for Graceful Explosion Machine on Switch so I wanted to do a quick video on my thoughts - in short - I'm really digging it! There will be an actual review on www.torontogamedevs.com - so look forward to that!
🚀🚀🚀 WE HAVE LIFT-OFF#GracefulExplosionMachine is OUT NOW on #NintendoSwitch
— vertex pop (@vertexpop) April 6, 2017
👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/yPOuktv2Zo
Solo indie dev expert and longtime friend-of-the-site Devon Wiersma joins us to talk their latest release Centauri Dark, working across AAA, mid-sized and solo indie dev and how to fix this goshdarn industry.
David B joins us from the west coast best coast to talk about the upcoming Quiver Games Incubator!
Bizdev extraordinaire Eric Beer joins us to give his Hades II impressions and chat v-bucks subsidized game preservation.
We break down Baldur Gate 3's unprecedented success & the knock-on effects it'll have on the industry and how we make games moving forward. We also speak to Ontario-based indie game devs Twinolli about their upcoming action-puzzler Highlighters which just got a (Dad Deck-verified) Steam demo!
We speak to Québécois game dev Dragon Slumber, creator of Tech Support, Aethernaut and many more!
We reveal the winners of our ‘23 Community Awards poll and discuss Drinkbox’s latest teaser for their next project- and more!
This week thousands more game developers join Stephan in the "terminated by evil, stupid people" camp as layoffs hit tons of studios all over Canada and the world. We discuss Sonic as well. Sonic supports Unionizing your Workplace!
Stephan got terminated but that’s okay he just has more time to cover Canadian games now.
Nintendo had an indie game showcase for upcoming indie games coming to Switch, and Toronto's own Graceful Explosion Machine was shown.. It was also confirmed that the game, while previous just noted as "launch window" has been given an April timeframe. It was also confirmed that the game will support HD Rumble. Once we have the final date, we'll let you know!
Discover some of the unique and innovative experiences world-class indie developers have in store for Nintendo Switch during the Nindies Showcase. 00:10 - SteamWorld Dig 2 02:05 - What the Nindies Are All About 02:52 - Yooka-Laylee 04:09 - Overcooked!
The debut game from a new Western Canada indie dev duo was revealed during Day of the Devs 2024.
Cat couple owner slash game dev studio Max Inferno announced a 2nd DLC pack for their tidy puzzler.
Gears of War: E-Day was announced during Xbox’s Game Showcase, marking the second prequel in the Gears of War franchise.
Vancouver-based Company of Heroes 3 developer Relic Entertainment has secured funding from UK investment firm Emona Capital after laying off almost 200 staff since May 2023.
Victoria-based indie devs Hololabs have released their mobile AR game Sky Haven: AR Merge Adventure for iOS.
NetEase Games has announced the opening of a new game studio in Canada, named Bad Brain Games, to work on an "ambitious new franchise," which will be a story-driven open-world action-adventure game.
Bloom Digital Media have released a demo for their upcoming visual novel game Long Story 2, which is a sequel to the 2017 game.
Cococucumber have released the third and final game in their self-described “Cococucumber Voxel Trilogy.” Ravenlok is now available for Xbox, PC, Game Pass and the Epic Games Store,
Vancouver-based indie powerhouse Brace Yourself Games (@BYG_Vancouver) announced their upcoming rhythm game spinoff will be released on Nintendo Switch as well as Steam.
Open-world, dragon-flying game Ayre and the Crystal Comet is out now on consoles.
Another video! Remember that starting next week they'll be a day early for Patreons!
Probably our last video on Guacamelee, but we wanted to talk more about the Nintendo Switch - which was officially revealed with launch details last week. In this video, we talked about the things we didn't really like about the Switch. Remember to subscribe and leave a comment!
We officially have our first Toronto-developed Nintendo Switch game! This one comes from Vertex Pop, in Gracefull Explosion Machine (GEM). A game we've talked about before.
Skillfully pilot the advanced Graceful Explosion Machine (GEM) fighter while blasting swarms of crystalline enemies with your ludicrously overpowered quad-weapon array! Lost in deep space, you'll shoot, dash and combo your way through jewel-hued alien worlds, fighting to find a way home.
You can check out the game trailer below. GEM is expected to come out this Spring during the Nintendo Switch launch window. While the game is still expected to hit other platforms, the Nintendo Switch will be the debut console for GEM.
Graceful Explosion Machine is coming soon to Nintendo Switch™ http://vertexpop.com/gem
You can also check out the full press release below.
Graceful Explosion Machine Debuts on Nintendo Switch! Action-packed shooter hits Nintendo’s new console during its launch window this Spring!
Toronto, Canada: Vertex Pop, an indie game developer specializing in focused arcade-style games, announced that they’re bringing their dazzlingly intense shoot-em-up, Graceful Explosion Machine, to Nintendo’s latest console, the Nintendo Switch™.
Graceful Explosion Machine has already made waves at the Indie MegaBooth at both PAX East and PAX West in 2016, as well as PlayStation Experience this past December.
“The Nintendo Switch’s responsive controls and beautiful display means you can play Graceful Explosion Machine anywhere”, says Vertex Pop’s founder Mobeen Fikree. “It’s perfect for short, intense sessions on the go or for long high-score runs on the big-screen.
“Graceful Explosion Machine fits perfectly as a premiere indie game in our launch window lineup,” says Nintendo of America Indie Game Manager Kirk Scott. “It reflects the diversity and breadth of the kinds of top-notch games we’re looking for on the Nintendo Switch system.”
For all media inquiries, please e-mail media@vertexpop.com.
PressKit: http://www.vertexpop.com/presskit/sheet.php?p=graceful_explosion_machine
Site: http://www.vertexpop.com/gem
Graceful Explosion Machine Nintendo Switch Announcement Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCiMciOjDC0
About Graceful Explosion Machine: Graceful Explosion Machine (GEM) is a side-scrolling arcade shooter where you blast crystalline enemies with your GEM’s ludicrously overpowered quad-weapon array. Lost in deep space, you’ll shoot, dash and combo your way through neon alien worlds, fighting to find a way home.
About Vertex Pop: Vertex Pop is an independent videogames development company run by Mobeen Fikree. Concerned with elegant design for their minimalistic videogames, they focus primarily on mechanics, game feel and responsive controls. Graceful Explosion Machine is a followup to their cult-favorite, multiplatform arena shooter, WE ARE DOOMED.
About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.4 billion video games and more than 696 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.
Solo indie dev expert and longtime friend-of-the-site Devon Wiersma joins us to talk their latest release Centauri Dark, working across AAA, mid-sized and solo indie dev and how to fix this goshdarn industry.
David B joins us from the west coast best coast to talk about the upcoming Quiver Games Incubator!
Bizdev extraordinaire Eric Beer joins us to give his Hades II impressions and chat v-bucks subsidized game preservation.
We break down Baldur Gate 3's unprecedented success & the knock-on effects it'll have on the industry and how we make games moving forward. We also speak to Ontario-based indie game devs Twinolli about their upcoming action-puzzler Highlighters which just got a (Dad Deck-verified) Steam demo!
We speak to Québécois game dev Dragon Slumber, creator of Tech Support, Aethernaut and many more!
We reveal the winners of our ‘23 Community Awards poll and discuss Drinkbox’s latest teaser for their next project- and more!
This week thousands more game developers join Stephan in the "terminated by evil, stupid people" camp as layoffs hit tons of studios all over Canada and the world. We discuss Sonic as well. Sonic supports Unionizing your Workplace!
Stephan got terminated but that’s okay he just has more time to cover Canadian games now.
Well now we know what 13AM Games was tweeting about this whole time. They have officially announced that Runbow will be getting its first batch of DLC this week. You can check out the full breakdown below, but the DLC will include new costumes, a new guest characters, single player campaign, and multiplayer maps.
Runbow has taken the 9-player local multiplayer scene by storm, and now things are about to get even hotter with the addition of more content! Most excitingly of all is an expansion to Runbow's story mode that takes antagonist Satura into space in over 48 new levels; exciting!
They also announced the game will be on sale for the next two weeks to celebrate the release of the DLC. You can also check out the official Runbow store, as well as purchase the soundtrack (composed by friend of the site Dan Rodrigues).
Not only is #Runbow first DLC coming out on 04/14 but the game will also be 25% off from 04/14-28. Thxs @13amgames pic.twitter.com/B38ehBL4GW
— Nintendo Dads (@NintendoDads) April 11, 2016
Toronto-based 13AM Games have announced a new paid expansion for their 2022 co-operative kaiju beat ‘em up Dawn of Monsters releasing in 2023.