Blazing Bit Games Reveals New Retro Shooter: Nightmare Reaper - Coming Summer 2019

Blazing Bit Games, a new studio in Montreal from a former Ubisoft Montreal Network Programmer, have announced Nightmare Reaper - a first-person-shooter throw back to games like Wolfenstein, and Doom. The game hits Steam Early Access this Summer with Episode 1, with Episode’s 2 and 3 coming within a year of that. Check out the Steam page to wishlist the game, in the meantime trailer, screenshots, and press release is below.

Announcing our upcoming game, Nightmare Reaper! Explore the cursed depths of a nightmare while finding powerful weapons and improving your abilities in this retro first person shooter that breaches the wall between the classics and modern sensibilities. Episode 1 available summer 2019 in Early Access.

Nightmare Reaper

Nightmare Reaper

Nightmare Reaper

Nightmare Reaper

Nightmare Reaper

Montreal, Canada -- April 9th, 2019 -- Blazing Bit Games reveals today their new retro first person shooter game, Nightmare Reaper, launching in Steam Early Access for Windows this summer.  Explore the cursed depths of a nightmare while finding powerful weapons and improving your abilities in this new indie game that breaches the wall between the classics and modern sensibilities.

Reveal trailer: https://youtu.be/zghpgec0S1w

"We really wanted and had yet to find a modern sprite-based shooter similar in looks and mechanics to Doom or the Build engine games that was more than just shooting monsters.  We just had to make it happen." - said Bruno Beaudoin, Founder.

The Early Access release of the game, titled "Episode One", will feature over 32 weapons and will be crammed with variety and surprises.  Mysterious non-intrusive story elements will guide players through nightmare after nightmare to eradicate evil while they collect treasures that they'll use to improve their abilities through a fun minigame.  Stay tuned as more will be revealed leading up to release.

Wishlist the game on Steam and come join us on Discord!
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1051690
Discord: https://discord.gg/u2pdcGY

About Blazing Bit Games
A small studio dedicated to making great indie games, founded by Bruno Beaudoin, programmer by trade, former Ubisoft Montreal Network Programmer and passionate gamer, since the Atari 2600. Nightmare Reaper is our most ambitious project yet and we've recruited the help of amazing people to deliver our vision. 

Google's Upcoming Streaming Service Stadia Has Canadian Roots

Last month Google announced their upcoming Cloud-based video game streaming service, Stadia. Details are a little light (such as release date), but we do know that you’ll be able to stream Ubisoft Quebec’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on practically any device.

While Google is obviously a giant worldwide corporate, I was told on some of the Canadian aspects of the service - specifically from Google’s Kitchener-Waterloo office. The below bullet points were provided to me via email, but our friends at Mobile Syrup also wrote an in-depth article on it.

• Stadia has a unique Canadian connection as Google’s Kitchener-Waterloo engineering office played an instrumental role in developing the platform.

• Stadia controller: The Waterloo team worked on all the software that runs on the controller (not physical controller itself). Eg. Software for device setup, personalization and communication.

• Stadia: Specifically, the Waterloo team was tasked to solve the problem: how do we get games on the platform, working well, optimized?

You ca n check out Google’s blog on Stadia here, as well as watch the live-stream from last month. We will have to wait and see how many Canadian games follow Ubisoft and offering their games on the service.

Gather around as we unveil Google's vision for the future of gaming at #GDC19. Welcome to Stadia, one place for all the ways we play. Sign up to stay tuned at https://stadia.com. Subscribe to Stadia's YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/GoogleStadia Follow Stadia on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GoogleStadia Follow Stadia on Facebook: http://facebook.com/GoogleStadia *The Stadia Controller has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission.

Terrorarium From Stitch Media Releases In Early Access

Terrorarium from Stitch Media is out now on Steam in Early Access. Right now, in its Early Access form, the game is limited to just ‘Maker Mode’, which gives players the ability to make “murder gardens”:

In Maker Mode, you can choose from over a hundred unique assets, including: vicious creatures, treacherous hazards, plant monsters, lovely foliage and destructible terrain. With these moveable, scalable, customizeable assets, you can create a beautiful garden, a deadly maze or a murderous gauntlet. In Quick Play Mode, play through the levels you have built as the Gardener, a feisty granny with a chip on her shoulder, and her army of adorable, expendable Moogu. The Moogu will die frequently, breed out of control, and are often as insufferable as they are useful. You can also share the levels you build with your friends and frenemies, so they too may see the horrors you have wrought.

The game is expected to stay in Early Access for 6-12 months, and will include a narrative/campaign portion of the game when it’s all said and done. Until then, dive into the game on Steam and share your user created levels. You can check out the trailer and screenshots below.

Paying homage to our favourite trailer of all time. Terrorarium is a game of wanton destruction and adorable gore in player-made murder gardens. We're going to #GDC2019 and launching March 20th! Come visit us at booth #N3017, we'd love to say hello! Find us at: https://murder.garden Wish List us on Steam!

Ubisoft To Stop Selling Physical Toys For Starlink Battle for Atlas - Promises New Digital Content

Starlink Battle for Atlas came out last year for Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC and it looks like sales of the physical toys that connect with the game hasn’t been doing that well. Ubisoft announced on the official blog that sales for the space adventure game haven’t met their exceptions (something we’ve discussed on the podcast a lot) and that physical toys will no longer be produced.

It’s not all bad news however, as there will be new ships, weapons, pilots to collect - they will just be digital. You can check out the full post below.

Pilots of the Starlink Initiative,

Thank you so much for the warm response to the new Starlink content announced during the February Nintendo Direct.

With the announcement of new content arriving this April, we felt that it is important to provide an update on the topic of physical toys. Starlink: Battle for Atlas has been a passion project for us from the start, and we are incredibly proud of the modular Starship technology we have developed, and how well players have responded to it.

Despite the immense and continuous support from our players, the sales for Starlink: Battle for Atlas fell below expectations. Consequently, we recently made the decision to not release any additional physical toys for the Spring update and in the future.

As part of our effort to do right by our passionate and dedicated community we are currently hard at work on our biggest update to the game so far and are pleased to tell all of you that there will be new digital ships, pilots and weapons to collect.

Additionally, there will be a ton of free content to expand your games such as additional missions, challenges and new activities to engage in throughout Atlas, including content that was inspired by community suggestions, such as Outlaw Racing.

We're very grateful for the support we have received from players around the world and can't wait for everyone to get their hands on our next big update launching this April.

We'll see you in the stars,

Starlink Development Team

Podcast Episode 105 and Interview With Dragon Slumber

As you know, we do a (mostly) bi-weekly podcast, and interviews with Canadian game developers. Here are the latest below!

Remember to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play, or SoundCloud. And Patron's at the $4+ level got this episode 2-3 days early.

Tech Support: Error Unknown Releases February 27th On Steam

Dragon Slumber, the indie developer Quebec, will be releasing their latest game Tech Support: Error Unknown on Steam this Wednesday February 27th. In the game you’ll play as a new Quasar Telecommunications support agent - and while resolving customers issues you’ll fine yourself in the middle of a conspiracy.

Tech Support: Error Unknown is an adventure game with simulation and puzzle mechanics, which places you in front of a virtual computer. As a tech support specialist new to the job, use a wide array of computer software to solve customer issues or choose to manipulate programs for personal gain. Hack your system to unlock its full potential, GPS track lost phones, scan profiles to blackmail customers, or simply propose they reboot. 

You can check out the Steam page for the game right here. Trailers and screenshots below. We sat down with Kevin Giguère to talk about the game which is up on Patreon right now, and be up for everyone else tomorrow before the games release.

Tech Support: Error Unknown is coming February 27! Wishlist Tech Support: Error Unknown on Steam: http://bit.ly/2rsf0uJ Play the free demo now! Itch.io: http://bit.ly/TechSupport-Itch Gamejolt: http://bit.ly/TechSupport-Gamejolt Official website: http://dragonslumber.com Things are not what they seem at your new tech support specialist job. While resolving customer issues, you soon find yourself in the middle of a conspiracy.

EA and Bioware Releases Anthem - Out Now On PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC

Bioware and EA have releases the highly anticipated Anthem today on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. It has had a rocky launch so far, with a lot of gamers complaining about the online shooter - including the loading times. There is a Day 1 patch that apparently resolves some issues, so let us know on Twitter what you think!

Unleash your power as you suit up in one of four javelins and take on a world full of danger. Team up with friends to overcome the toughest challenges you can find. Subscribe and be the first to see Anthem trailers and gameplay videos: http://bit.ly/2qZN5QV. Discover more: http://x.ea.com/32090.

New Shared-World Action Shooter from BioWare Now Available on Xbox One, Origin for PC and PlayStation 4, More Content Arriving in March

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and BioWare officially launched Anthem™, inviting players to don their javelins and fully immerse themselves in this brand-new world as a team of four. Players take on the role of Freelancers, and will work together to unleash their power with amazing abilities and coordinated teamwork, utilizing each javelin’s unique strengths to build a formidable team.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190222005065/en/

Storm, Ranger, Colossus and Interceptor Javelins (Graphic: Business Wire)

“I feel remarkably similar to when we launched the original Mass Effecttrilogy,” said Casey Hudson, General Manager of BioWare. “I’m excited, anxious and incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished. I sincerely hope our players enjoy what we have created, and I look forward to the countless stories we’ll tell in the world of Anthem in the weeks and months to come.”

Anthemalso delivers amazing characters and deep lore that allows players to immerse themselves in the world and embrace its mysteries, as well as regular new content that will change the world and keep the experience fresh and new. In the game, players will square off against the nefarious Monitor, the leader of the militaristic Dominion who seeks to bend the very powers of creation and destruction to his will. The Freelancers must thwart the Monitor’s schemes to control the Anthem of Creation, or else he could tear the entire world apart and plunge the planet into ultimate chaos.

Launch is just the beginning for Anthem, as the game will continue to grow and evolve through free live service content updates. Over the next 90 days alone the game will deliver new missions, new rewards, a new stronghold and more. Perhaps the most noteworthy inclusion will be the introduction of the first Cataclysm, a world-changing event that will bring with it an entirely new experience. During the course of the game’s life new stories, characters and villains will emerge and players will be treated to ongoing excitement and conflicts.

Anthemis developed by BioWare and is available now for Xbox One, Origin on PC and PlayStation®4. For more information on Anthem visit https://www.ea.com/games/anthem. Join the Anthemconversation on Twitter and Facebook.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers. EA has more than 300 million registered players around the world.

In fiscal year 2018, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $5.15 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Battlefield™, Need for Speed™, Dragon Age™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

Worse Than Death - The Next Game From The Developer Behind Alone With You, and Home

Benjamin Rivers, the developer behind 2012’s Home, and 2016’s Alone With You has announced his latest - Worse Than Death, for PlayStation 4, Switch, Steam, and iOS. The game will be an emotional thriller about a high school reunion that goes horribly wrong.

“Run for your life, hide in the shadows, and use your wits to avoid terrible enemies and solve a mystery that sees you trapped in your home town.

Worse Than Death fuses a page-turning, pulp horror story with action-adventure gameplay.”

A scary, emotional thriller about a high school reunion that goes horribly wrong! Worse Than Death is the chilling follow-up to indie horror hit Home, and it's coming soon to PlayStation 4! + OFFICIAL Website: http://www.worsethandeathgame.com + Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/benjaminrivers Rated Mature: Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Drug Reference

We don’t have a release date yet, but we’re told it will be soon. In the meantime, you can hit up the developers Discord channel to catch a prequel story, and vote on what happens next!

Excited for #WorseThanDeath? Then boy do we have news for you.

Join the official @discordapp server to read an exclusive prequel story — and even vote on what happens! We're writing and illustrating it from now until launch!

👉 https://t.co/uO70wFB5Ma#horror #indiegame pic.twitter.com/JtIU58QY4m

— Benjamin Rivers 💀 GDC (@BenjaminRivers) February 20, 2019

Blue Isle Studios Releasing Valley On Switch In March

Continuing the trend of Canadian games being ported to Switch, Blue Isle Studios have announced their first person adventure game Valley is hitting the Nintendo Switch next month on March 7th. Valley was originally released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2016, and we did a small interview with the games composer which you can check out here.

Mark your calendars folks, it's happening!

We are SO excited to announce that Valley is coming to #NintendoSwitch on Thursday, March 7, 2019 🍃✨ @NintendoAmerica @NintendoEurope @NintendoAUNZ https://t.co/DIXqBoYiFE pic.twitter.com/yTm4oKncGl

— Blue Isle Studios (@BlueIsleStudio) February 19, 2019

Valley is a First-Person adventure unlike any other. Hidden deep within a remote region of the Rocky Mountains, you find yourself bewildered within a secluded valley. With the power of a recently discovered L.E.A.F. suit (Leap Effortlessly though Air Functionality), run and jump your way through beautiful forests, dangerous ruins and vast environments; all the while utilizing the power to control life and death to uncover the startling secrets of the mysterious valley.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas Getting More Starfox Content In An Upcoming Update

During today’s Nintendo Direct it was announced that Starlink: Battle for Atlas will be getting another update, and it’ll include some extra Starfox content. You’ll be able to play as Falco, Peppy, and Slippy taking on Star Wolf’s crew. The new update is expected in April, and can check out the direct below.

Star Fox content starts at 13:58.

Watch exclusive Nintendo news-broadcast directly to you, the player! Got a favorite from the Direct? Click to it! 0:12 - Super Mario Maker 2 1:37 - Yoshiaki Koizumi Intro 2:18 Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order 3:42 - BOX BOY! + BOX GIRL! 4:45 - Super Smash Bros.

Ubisoft Celebrates Year 4 Of Rainbow Six Siege With A Free-To-Play Weekend And New Editions

Got this press release from our friends at Ubisoft, which basically details the fourth year of Rainbow Six Siege along with new editions, and a free to play weekend on February 14th-17th. Check out below or on the official website for the full details.

UBISOFT ANNOUNCES NEW LINE UP OF EDITIONS FOR TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX® SIEGE YEAR 4 ALONG WITH FREE WEEKEND FROM FEBRUARY 14

Description:

Today, Ubisoft announced that Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege will be available to play for free from February 14 to 17*. This Free Weekend is the perfect occasion for newcomers to join the Rainbow Six Siege community. This Free Weekend also comes with up to 70% discounts on the game on all platforms starting today. For more information on the Free Weekend, please visit the Rainbow Six Siege official website. 

In the meantime, Ubisoft also announced details around the Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege Edition, Deluxe Edition, Gold Edition, and Ultimate Edition, to support the start of brand new content for Year 4 of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. Players can purchase the new editions starting today. All current Year 4 editions will see a price reduction. 

Year 4 of Rainbow Six Siege will introduce permanent DLC Operator Price Reductions, through the implementation of a scaling DLC operator pricing system. Older DLC Operators will be less expensive and more easily unlocked. 

For all Rainbow Six Siege Starter Edition owners, they will be converted to the progression system for unlocking the original 20 Legacy operators, for more information on this and the DLC Operator Price Reductions please visit the Rainbow Six Siege official website. 

Additional Year 4 Editions line-up details are available below:

Starter Edition

The PC Starter Edition is being removed from digital stores. All current owners of the Starter Edition will be automatically upgraded to the Rainbow Six Siege Edition. For current Starter Edition owners, all progression and content previously unlocked will be carried over. By removing the Starter Edition, all new players save approximately 150 hours unlocking all base operators at the current progression system rates.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege 

The Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege edition provides access to all maps and content and reintroduces the progression system for unlocking all 20 Legacy operators. This edition will cost $26.99 and is available on PC.

Deluxe Edition

The Deluxe Edition includes all content from the Rainbow Six Siege Edition alongside all Year 1 Operators. This edition will be available for $39.99 on PC, $49.99 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Gold Edition

The Gold Edition provides all the benefits of the Deluxe Edition plus the Year 4 Pass, which grants early access to all 8 Year 4 Operators. Click here to discover all benefits of the Year 4 Pass. This edition will be available for $79.99 on PC, $89.99 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One 

Ultimate Edition

The Ultimate Edition unlocks all Operators in-game through the end of Year 3, as well as the benefits of the Year 4 Pass (Operators included). This version grants access to all 52 existing Operators, including every DLC Operator. Click here to discover all benefits of the Year 4 Pass. This editions will be available for $129.99 on PC, $139.99 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

The full reveal of Season 4 of Year 4, Operation Burnt Horizon, will take place in Montreal at the Six Invitational 2019 on Sunday February 17. Watch it live at 1:30 pm EST at https://www.twitch.tv/rainbow6

For more information on Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, please visit www.rainbow6.com

13AM Games Releases Double Cross On Nintendo Switch And Steam

Our friends over at 13AM Games have released their first non-Runbow game - Double Cross is out now on Steam and Switch. The action platformer has you playing as Zahra, an agent for R.I.F.T (Regulators of Interdimensional Frontiers and Technology) who keeps the peace between all dimensions:

A recent attack on R.I.F.T. headquarters thrusts players into a thrilling new case where they must use their R.I.F.T. developed gear to sling, swing, fight and investigate across distinct dimensions. During their travels players will gather clues to bring themselves one step closer to finding the identity of R.I.F.T.’s attacker and save every variation of the universe.

The game is enjoying a 25% launch discount right now, so head over to Steam or Switch to download today!

Double Cross is an exciting action adventure game that blasts players into a multidimensional mystery full of platforming action/adventure. Using the unique proton sling mechanic for a variety of movements and attacks, players must fight an array of enemies as they traverse their way across distinct universes in order to find clues.

15 Minutes of Anthem - Lost Arcanist Gameplay

Courtesy of IGN, we have 1 5 minutes of new Anthem footage, specifically the entire Lost Arcanist mission from start to finish. Anthem is being developed by Bioware out in Edmonton, and is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on February 22nd. Check it out below!

The entire Lost Arcanist mission from start to finish with a three man team of the Interceptor, Storm, and Colossus javelins. Anthem: BioWare Explains How Story, Events, and Endgame Will Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N5rw-FTqg8 Anthem: Every Javelin Ability and Ultimate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhdS2jcmOBQ Subscribe to IGN for more! http://www.youtube.com/user/IGNentertainment?sub_confirmation=1 --------------------------------- Watch more on IGN here!

Release Date Announced for Guacamelee! 2 on Xbox One

DrinkBox Studios have announced when XBox One gamers will get to enjoy the latest in Juan Aguacate’s adventures. Guacamelee! 2 will release on Xbox and Windows 10 on January 18th, and is currently enjoying a 20% pre-order discount.

Brawling has never been more beautiful! The long-awaited sequel to the smash hit action-platformer is here: Guacamelee! 2 brings luchador Juan Aguacate out of retirement for a stunning new Metroidvania-style adventure, where he must face his greatest challenge yet - one that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of the Mexiverse! Explore a huge, hand-crafted world inspired by Mexican culture and folklore, filled with sassy new villains and weirdos (and a few old friends!). Learn a deep repertoire of bone-crunching wrestling moves to fend off the skeletal hordes and overcome skillful platforming challenges... and who said anything about a Chicken Illuminati? Certainly not us!

We're excited to finally reveal that Guacamelee! 2 is launching January 18th through @ID_Xbox on #XboxOne and #Windows10! (Purchase once to receive both versions)

Pre-order NOW for 20% off! https://t.co/MsD86BktE9

❤️🥑❤️🥑❤️ pic.twitter.com/WSssCWjxhd

— Drinkbox Studios (@DrinkBoxStudios) January 4, 2019

Kickstarter Plug: MATH-Commander - VR/AR

MATH-Commander is an arcade game combining both Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and everyone’s favourite: Mathematics. Out from Wulum Ltd in Calgary, you play as the Math-Commander in a twist on the typical shoot-em up, detailed on the Kickstarter:

“If you are playing from VR you will see the playing action in front of you. An Iron Man–style virtual console display will inform you how many targets you must destroy, how much time you have, and what your next target is.”

And for those who want to play on Augmented Reality:

For those playing the AR version, the scenario will display over a real surface previously identified by your mobile's camera. You will see your base cannon and enemies through your mobile device and choose your targets by tapping.

You can check out some of the videos below to get another idea.

We have been working on an inspiring project for Kickstarter called MATH-Commander, a VR and AR Game to keep minds sharp and inspire the love for math. We appreciate if you can make a moment to check it out and offer some feedback we can use for the success of our campaign.

This video is a concept test of AR for the ga MATH-Commander is a game currently on development by Wulum Ltd - www.wulum.com .- MATH-Commander is a game for Virtual Reality (Oculus Go and Cardboard) and Augmented Reality (iOS and Android).

You can check out the Kickstarter right now, which at the time sits at around 13% of their goal with 11 days left, however they have a modest goal of $9500 - so check them out! And in the meantime, follow them on Twitter.

Math Commander is 10+% funded! We are so grateful and can't wait to see how this journey goes on.

All we say for now is THANK YOU! If you want to help even further, tell your friends and spread the word!#mathcommander #oculusgo #kickstartercampaign #madewithunity pic.twitter.com/oMEiSFQIqF

— Wulum Ltd (@WulumLtd) December 24, 2018