Quill Studios 'A Summer with the Shiba Inu' Successfully Greenlight On Steam

We're a little late on this one, since it happened in April, but either way Quill Studios' game 'A Summer with the Shiba Inu' was successfully greenlight on Steam and looking to be released later this summer on PC, Mac, and Linux.

The upcoming visual novel game is adorable, taking place in the future in a world populated by dogs. You can check out the full symnosis, trailer, and screenshots below. But make sure to check out the Steam page to add it to your wishlist.

"This summer, Syd, a Shiba Inu, is on a trip to the Island of Strands. She gets back in touch with her old friend Max and meets a mysterious Labrador retriever named Quei-Li. With her friends, old and new, Syd rediscovers her old urban jaunts and favourite street foods. However, her fond memories of this city perhaps aren’t what they seem… "

A Summer with the Shiba Inu - Now on Steam Greenlight! Vote here - http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=881043040 A Summer with the Shiba Inu is an upcoming visual novel about Syd the Shiba Inu's trip back to the Island of Strands, where she used to live. However, not everything is as it seems on the Island...

Use Your Words Announced For 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

Dragon of Legends Demo on the Microsoft Store

Thrive Games now has a demo of their action RPG, Dragon of Legends, on the Microsoft Store.  Download it here for free on your PC!

The #DragonOfLegends PC Demo is available now! https://t.co/MCkC0DYUJA Looking for feedback to streamline combat ⌨⚔#gamedev #pixelart pic.twitter.com/dCpogyqSES

— Thrive Games (@Thrive905) May 11, 2017

Plasma Puncher Now on Steam

Plasma Puncher by Tomatotrap will be available on Steam today.  The player is the last remaining white blood cell, tasked with destroying the Mother-Microbe and it's army.  It's an action brawler with three difficulty modes, and extra powers can be activated.

You can check out game updates on Twitter @PlasmaPuncher.

First Look at Gameplay for DISTANT

As we previously mentioned in a past post, Snowman and Slingshot & Satchel are working on DISTANT.  We don't know too much about the game yet, but some gameplay footage was released today.  It was first publicly shared at Tribeca Games Festival.  From The Snowman Blog:

“Sun-drenched and placid above the surface, with an ancient darkness lurking beneath, this world is just one of the many you’ll traverse as you unravel DISTANT’s secrets. What are the giant beasts lumbering in the distance? Who is the powerful cloaked traveler you’re guiding? And what exactly are those glowing, ethereal shards?”

Traverse fantastical, colourful worlds and uncover their secrets. Here's a first look at DISTANT gameplay! Facebook: http://facebook.com/distantgame Twitter: http://twitter.com/playdistant Instagram: http://instagram.com/playdistant Music by www.jordanchinmusic.com

Huge Announcement from Sago Mini: Sago Mini World

Sago Mini announced Sago Mini World, to be released on May 25, 2017.  It is the complete collection of their games all on one app.  Sago Mini has created many successful games for children including Sago Mini Road Trip, Sago Mini Superheroes, and more on iOS and Android.  This is going to be huge, because if you've ever seen children play the Sago Mini games, you know how fun they are.  We can't wait.

COMING MAY 25th: Sago Mini World! Our complete collection of games. One magical app. pic.twitter.com/JCRwP4TYt6

— Sago Mini (@sagomini) May 8, 2017

Video Games News Time Daily - May 4th 2017

We chat GRIP, Tap Titans 2, and Star Wars.

May the fourth be with you! Though I've never known why today is Star Wars day other than it sounding similarly. Let's talk Star Wars, Grip, and Tap Titans 2. Tap Titans 2 Update: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/blog/tap-titans-2-updated-for-mobile GRIP Update: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/blog/wxjcmt9mu5zdjgs4cqdqfylm39dspx Star Wars On Sale: http://deals.kinja.com/the-ultimate-edition-of-star-wars-battlefront-is-just-1794917112

Tap Titans 2 Updated for Mobile

The addictive Tap Titans 2 by Game Hive has received a version update for iOS and Android, with an Amazon update awaiting approval.  Check it out on the App Store and on Google Play.  Here's what's new in Version 1.4.0:

- New Clan Role & more powers to Master
- Clan: Internet Connection Required check
- Stage Transition Locking Timer
- Stats Panel and Heroes Upgrade Panel badge icon fixed
- Push Notification: added badges to icon (iOS)
- Tournament Bracket and Rewards with Titan Point

PSA: The latest Tap Titans 2 update is now live! Download, tap and play! ⚔️ #GetExcited pic.twitter.com/G901jOeyjF

— Game Hive (@GameHive) May 3, 2017

Let's Play Sword Coast Legends - Steve And Chris Play Games

Sword Coast Legends is a Dungeon's and Dragon's game in the style of Diablo. Developed by n-Space, and Digital Extremes, we give the game's tutorial a spin.

Video Games News Time Daily - May 3rd 2017

Two student developed games from Toronto students got demos! Check out Disco is Dead, and Detective VR. I also give my quick thoughts on NBA Playground. Disco Is Dead Demo: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/blog/disco-is-dead-now-available-on-itchio Detective VR Demo: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/blog/detective-vr-now-available-on-itchio NBA Playground: http://ca.ign.com/articles/2017/05/03/nba-playgrounds-release-date-for-nintendo-switch-ps4-xbox-one-pc-announced TorontoGameDevs.com is partially fan funded, so check out www.patreon.com/torontogamedevs

Sunamico releases Demo for Nebular Crush

Nebular Crush is an action arcade shooter and platformer mix featuring over 50 levels and local two player co-op.  It is still in development but a demo is available on itch.io.  The art is reminiscent of 80s and 90s retro arcade games and it is a fast-paced action side-scroller with a unique cyber psychedelic visual aesthetic.

“Combining retro pixel art and modern graphics effects, the game immerses the player in a dreamy digital world full of glowing, shimmering, geometries populated by alien lifeforms. The player controls a guitar-playing surfer flying on a magical surfboard through a bizarre and abstract alternate dimension. The game demands both skill and cunning, often rewarding more clever and careful play over mindless button mashing. Easy to learn but difficult to master, Nebular Crush aims to appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers alike.”

— Sunamico

A quick peak at some pre-alpha game play. ☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻ Nebular Crush is an upcoming action arcade shooter / platformer hybrid. The game is still in development. http://nebularcrush.com ☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺☻ Visit our development blog for the latest developments: https://nebularcrush.tumblr.com Follow: https://www.facebook.com/nebularcrush

You can follow Nebular Crush for more updates on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Detective VR Now Available on itch.io

Detective VR by Sixty Forty Games, another award-winning game at LevelUP TO 2017, has just been released on itch.io.  Detective VR won second place in Technical Innovation and third place Best Overall design.  Check out a gameplay demo for Detective VR below.

“In this 80s themed, murder-mystery game on the HTC Vive, you can explore the crime scene, pick up objects and interact with them as well as interact with NPCs. Once you’ve collected all the evidence, you can move onto the interrogation phase and interrogate the suspect by piecing together the evidence that you found to contradict what the suspect is saying!

Put your detective skills to the test by keeping your eyes peeled for the tiniest piece of evidence. You’ll also need to pay attention to what the suspect is saying. With your journal, you can keep track of all the evidence you found and can look back on it when interrogating the suspect.”

Detective VR is my Capstone Project, required for graduation, from Sheridan College. It is a murder/mystery adventure game for HTC VIVE and was completed in March 2017. ​ My roles were Lead Game Designer, Lead Narrative Designer/Writer, Producer and Creative Director. ​ This game won two awards at the Level Up!

Video Game News Time Daily - May 1st, 2017

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/

Skies of Fury Now Available

Ace Academy: Skies of Fury, a WWI aerial combat game, is now available on the App Store and on Google Play.  It has 50 missions both from the perspectives of German and British pilots, unlockables, and two different game modes.  Illumination Games has teamed up with The Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation for their Ace Academy series.  Here is the description of the game from Illumination Games and a trailer:

“In the action-packed skies over the battlefields of Arras, experience “Bloody April” from the perspective of both British and German pilots fighting for their lives. Inspired by vintage comics, Skies of Fury features stunning WWI planes, epic aerial combat, and beautifully handcrafted environments. Dogfight through 50 missions using 10 distinctive aircraft with unique skins, gunsights and flight characteristics. Play Ace Academy: Skies of Fury and battle your way through to become the top ace over the Western Front.

Features:
- 50 missions
- 2 game modes: Elimination and Escort
- Unique handling and dogfighting capabilities
- 6 stunning environments
- Hundreds of unlockable skins, player icons and crosshairs
- 10 unlockable aircraft with different stats
- Pilot skills tailored to your playstyle
- Vintage comic-book style”

In Ace Academy: Skies of Fury you will fight to take control of the skies over the battlefields of Arras. From the perspective of both British and German pilots, experience "Bloody April"-one of the deadliest periods during World War One.

Video Games News Time Daily - April 28th, 2017

Mario Kart 8 on Switch is out! Oddbird Studios has been tweeting a lot about Arrow Heads - and ZeMind Studios have been doing some Let's Plays. Arrow Heads: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/blog/oddbird-studios-tweets-more-footage-for-arrowheads Mario Kart 8: http://mariokart8.nintendo.com/?mkwid=[uniq_id]_dc[distribution]%7cpcrid%7c[creative_id]%7cpmt%7cb%7cpkw%7c[keyword_text]&pid=SEM_[group]&gclid=COGhxL-oyNMCFSOgMgod7cMAHA&gclsrc=ds ZeMind Studios Let's Play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzBT9l0y16c