Loud On Planet X Launching On This Month On PS4, Steam, iOS And Android

Last we heard of Loud on Planet X, they had just completed a successful Kickstarter, having raised over $50,000 dollars towards making their game.  And now, the game will be out in a couple of weeks!

Loud on Planet X will launch on PlayStation 4 and Steam on April 19th, and on iOS and Android April 21st. You can check out the trailer and some screenshots below:

LOUD on Planet X is releasing April 19 on console (PS4™/Steam) and April 21 on mobile (iOS/Android)! - Defend your stage with music! LOUD on Planet X is an arcade-style indie music game featuring Tegan and Sara, Purity Ring, METZ, Metric, Lights, July Talk, F*cked Up, Cadence Weapon, Austra and more.

Choose from a cross-section of top current indie music artists, then defend your stage from hordes of quirky aliens by tapping to the music and using a fun assortment of makeshift weapons like speakers, strobe lights, fog machines, amplifiers, bouncers and custom special attacks! LOUD on Planet X is an exciting new indie alternative to Rock Band or Guitar Hero with a splash of Plants vs Zombies – a new hybrid of rhythm game and classic shooter with tower defence elements.

Before the games launch, you can follow them on Twitter. They've also promised to announce "3 top international artists" the week of the games launch.

Far Cry Primal Gets A Free "Survivor" Mode

Ubisoft has announced that their prehistoric first person shooter Far Cry Primal will be getting a free update, which includes a new difficulty "Survivor Mode".  This new difficulty will include permadeath (optional), less humans and animals to hunt, the minimap turned off, a stamina gauge, and more. You can check out the announcement trailer below:

The Stone Age is about to get even more brutal. Far Cry Primal will receive a FREE "Survivor Mode" update on April 12 for consoles and PC, which will make Oros and its inhabitants harsher and more dangerous than ever. You'll also have the option of enabling permadeath, if you're willing to risk extinction.

“The idea of doing this mode actually started from the team, saying they wanted to create this mode based on feedback they got from the community,” says Thomas Simon, Far Cry Primal’s game director. “The keystone of that survival mode is the change in the exploration, crafting, and difficulty of the game to make it even more realistic. After that, there are options the player can activate to go further.”

Far Cry Primal was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC earlier this year, and I quite enjoyed it.  The new update will be available April 12th for all platforms.

Vertex Pop Announces 'Graceful Explosion Machine' - Coming Early 2017

Having just released We Are Doomed on PlayStation Vita last month, Vertex Pop have announced their next game, Graceful Explosion Machine. The 2D side scrolling shooter is set to hit consoles and home computers in Early 2017. 

Also, say hi to the whole team: @mobeenfikree on design+code, @gabdar on gfx, @RobbyDuguay on music/sfx, & @henryfaber + @ninajuly producing

— vertex pop (@vertexpop) March 30, 2016

Graceful Explosion Machine places you at the controls of a powerful, yet agile, GEM: an attack ship with multiple weapon systems and precision control. Blast, combo, and dash your way through levels featuring an array of neon jewel-toned enemies and claustrophobic arenas, using a deep four-weapon based combat system that encourages you to think as fast as you can fly! Fighting for your life in deep space can be tough, but you just might make it back home safely in your Graceful Explosion Machine

Coming Early 2017 to consoles and home computers. More info: http://vertexpop.com/gem Graceful Explosion Machine places you at the controls of a powerful, yet agile, GEM: an attack ship with multiple weapon systems and precision control.

The game will also be at Pax East, as part of the Indie Mega Booth, along with other Toronto developed games such as SSMP, and Kitty Disastrous.

Modbox Out April 5th On Steam Early Access

Indie developer Alientrap had announced Modbox late last year, and it will now be available on Steam early access next week.  The HTC Vive sandbox physics game got one last big update before release that you can check out here.

• Create Rube Goldberg style large room scale creations with the Vive’s precise controllers

• Share your work on Steam workshop ingame, or try out others online

• Construct with primitives by just touching them together. Add in hinge joints, ropes, propellers, rockets, piston, balloons. Then control them by wiring them together with throttles and levers.

• Pick up and play with toys to interact with the world - including baseball bats, basketballs, crossbows, pistols, chainsaws...

Modbox is a VR physics sandbox game for room scale VR, coming early 2016. Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Alientrap Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alientrap Blog: http://www.alientrap.org Killscreen interview with more information: https://killscreen.com/articles/modbox-expands-the-playful-possibilities-of-toys-with-virtual-reality/

Modbox will be out April 5th, and you can check out the steam page here, but make sure to give the developer a follow on Twitter as well.

Dwarrows Now On Steam Greenlight - New Trailer

Indie developer Lithic Entertainment are busy away working on Dwarrows, a town-building game coming to Steam later this year.  You can vote for the game on Stream Greenlight, but make sure to check out the trailer and screenshots below. Let's help them get this game on Steam!

NOW on Greenlight: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=642051488 Official Sites: http://www.dwarrows.com http://www.lithicentertainment.com https://www.facebook.com/LithicEntertainment https://twitter.com/LithicEnt Dwarrows is a peaceful town-building game that borrows from the Action Adventure genre. Take control of three uniquely skilled characters to leave the confines of the town, explore the lush forest surrounding it, and work together to solve puzzles.

You can check out the full site for the game here, but make sure to follow the developer on Twitter and FaceBook.  Remember to vote for the game on Steam Greenlight.

Don't Starve: Shipwrecked Releasing March 31st On Steam

Vancouver based developer Klei have announced their expansion pack to Don't Starve, titled Shipwrecked, will be released March 31st on Steam. The game can currently be purchased on Steam Early Access, and is a collaboration with Toronto developer Capybara Games has helped them out with.

Our collabo with good friends @CAPYGAMES is ready to set sail! Don't Starve: Shipwrecked launches March 31st! pic.twitter.com/fnuieDjimN

— klei (@klei) March 23, 2016

Available Now on Steam Early-Access! http://store.steampowered.com/app/393010 ** Don't Starve: Shipwrecked is currently still in development, with plenty of features still to be added. There are some key features that we'd like to release (e.g. more characters, base game integration) before we officially exit Early Access.

We're all of course highly anticipating Below from Capybara Games, so we'll have lots of Capy love in the first half of this year.

Toronto GameDev: Shiny Talisman

Every now and then I do like to highlight a local developer, and let readers know what kind of games are being work on in the GTA, even if there isn't a specific "news" thing to announce.  But I invite everyone to check out Shiny Talisman, creators of Caveman Cliff and Warp Looter, both free downloads on iOS.  I've included the trailers for both games below.

Caveman Cliff is Shiny Talisman's second release. It's just Cliff against the pterodactyls. Cliff needs to clear off the cliff so he can build his home. Available for iOS Mar. 31, 2016.

Warp Looter is a social, competitive, endless runner. Compete with your friends as you strive for distance and loot. You'd better get farther than they do. Otherwise they'll know, and get paid for it too. Check out the site at www.warplooter.com

Friends of the site thegeeko.com did an interview with Shiny Talisman back in the day as well you can read. You can download Caveman Cliff for free on iOS here, and Warp Looter also for free here. Make sure to follow the developer on Twitter and him know what you think!

Woolly Walrus Games Releases Block Swop

Toronto indie developer Woolly Walrus Games have released Block Swop for free on iOS.  From the official website: 

Block Swop has officially been released. We started the game over a year ago and it has been a labour of love ever since. We are really happy with the final project and we might release more levels later. An Android version and premium versions are also a planned for later on. For now we are happy to of finished and released our first game. We have started work on our next game Mini Lift but we are changing the name of that project. That project should be coming out in a few months. We also have plans for a puzzle based RPG dual game. We hope to prototype that game at TOJam 2016 in a month or two.

Uploaded by Bray Cam on 2015-10-18.

You can download the game for free right here on iOS, but also follow the developer on Twitter.

Severed Coming Out Soon? Will Also Include A Platinum Trophy

According to Greg Miller from Kinda Funny Games, Severed has been submitted to PlayStation, and will include a Platinum Trophy. I'm assuming this was mentioned on one of his shows, but I can't find a source so we'll go by this tweet.  I'll update this story with more information if needed, but I'll take any reason to write about DrinkBox Studios.

Thanks for coming on, guys! Everyone, Severed is about to be submitted to PlayStation and has a Platinum Trophy! https://t.co/juE3rpJD8D

— Greg Miller (@GameOverGreggy) March 16, 2016

Below Gets A New Trailer And Some Creepy Music

With GDC going on, some developers have used that time to make some announcements, and this included Capybara Games, developers of Super Time Force Ultra.  Below is their upcoming adventure coming to Steam and Xbox One, and a new trailer has been released with some creepy music from Jim Guthrie. Check it out below.

What lies BELOW? Find out this summer. http://www.whatliesbelow.com Coming to Xbox One & Steam.

Below was delayed late last year but this new trailer says coming this Summer, so we won't have much longer to wait.  Make sure to also check out the official website, and let us know in the comments if you plan on picking it up.

Check Out 4 New Minutes Of P.A.M.E.L.A

With GDC is full effect, I mentioned on the podcast that it might be a slow week. Apparently NVYVE wasn't listening, and they went ahead and put up new footage of their upcoming survival horror game P.A.M.E.L.A. You can check it out below!

Experience the first few minutes of survival in Eden, as the Sleeper awakens into the dangerous and unforgiving fallen Utopia. P.A.M.E.L.A. is an open-world, utopian survival horror game coming to PC in 2016. Get more info at http://www.pamelagame.com. Explore and survive in a Utopian future, ravaged by humanity's misguided pursuit of perfection.

Looks pretty incredible.  P.A.M.E.L.A is scheduled for a 2016 on Steam. Check out the full site for more screenshots, and follow them on Twitter.

Picnic Games Labs Launches Grumz On Mobile Devices

Toronto indie developer Picnic Game Labs have released Grumz on the iOS store and Android store.  Grumz introduces the world to the first infinite stopper: "constantly on the move, press anywhere to stop and navigate the incoming Grumz. Beware though, as Grumz come in different types checking your reflexes and play wit"

Grumz by Picnic Game Labs available on Apple's App Store and Google Play. iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/grumz/id1055818894?mt=8 Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.picnicgamelabs.grumz&hl=en Grumz official webpage: http://picnicgamelabs.com/game/grumz/ Picnic Game Labs Twitter: https://twitter.com/picnicgamelabs

Readers can download the game for free on the iOS, or Android but make sure to follow the developer on Twitter as well.

What Did Patreons Get In February?

A little late on this one, but I wanted to include what Patreon's of TorontoGameDevs.com got in February. Remember that you can become a Patreon easily, and every bit helps.

As always, for as low as 3 dollars a month, Patreons will get early access to every exclusive, interview, reviews, and podcast.  This month we also interviewed Joe Woynillowicz about his upcoming game Darktide.

At 8 dollars a month, Patreons will get first access to any codes I get, and are guaranteed at least one game from a GTA developer. This month was a goody with Fortified from Claptfoot Games.

Remember to check out our Patreon to help out!

Mirage: Arcane Warfare Gets Official Trailer

Toronto developer Torn Banner Studios had previous announced Mirage: Arcane Warfare earlier this month with a teaser trailer, and now we have a  full fledge trailer which you can check out below.  They've also released a Community Diary, which I've also posted below, but make sure to keep an eye on the website to stay up to date on the community videos.

Obliterate your enemies with powerful magic or silence them with a sword in Mirage: Arcane Warfare, a multiplayer FPS from the creators of Chivalry: Medieval Warfare. Mirage is a skill-based multiplayer FPS that lets you tear your enemies limb from limb with destructive magic and melee combat.

In Mirage, the calm of a strange fantasy world is shattered by ruthless civil war. Warriors armed with steel and magic bring violence and death as they do battle across a fantastical Arabian and Persian-inspired setting of desert sands, market bazaars and grand palaces.

Mirage is a skill-based multiplayer FPS that lets you tear your enemies limb from limb with destructive magic and melee combat. Experiment and find your perfect playstyle between six diverse classes including stealthy assassins, hulking brutes, powerful mages and more. With an unparalleled focus on truly feeling in control of your magic and sword, Mirage demands combat creativity and will challenge you like never before.

Hyped for Mirage: Arcane Warfare? So are we! Check in with our first Community Diary, featuring Torn Banner Studios President / Game Designer Steve Piggott, and Senior Brand Manager Alex Hayter. Announce Trailer: https://youtu.be/0rBFSkJELuw Teaser Trailer: https://youtu.be/HZp54AnzcRE Mirage: Arcane Warfare is a magic and melee-focused multiplayer FPS from the creators of Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, coming in 2016.

Make sure to also check out Chivalry on Steam, and follow the developer on Twitter.

Emergent Fates Gets A New Preview Video

Upcoming iOS RPG Emergent Fates, which is being worked on by a few people in Toronto, had a preview video release which I've posted below.  You can check out all the details on Emergent Fates at the official website here, which looks to be a fun RPG that promises to "emphasizes the elements from which its genre first was born".

A young student graduates into his homeland's Knight's Academy and is suddenly privy to political issues in unexpected ways... An enigmatic woman travels the world hunting powerful spectral beings for reasons known only to herself.... A scientist with few scruples examines the coexistence of parallel dimensions and their lifeforms...

One story is only a compilation of many. Through the eyes of a few people, uncover the grander underlying stories of an entire world.

Emergent Fates is a story-based fantasy RPG with 2D watercolour animation, a surreal story of spectres, knights and deceit, and a turn-based battle system. NOTE: The game is still being actively worked on and much of what is displayed in the video will be updated before release.

We'll be sure to have more on the game as it becomes available, but in the meantime you can always follow them on Twitter.