Graceful Explosion Machine Release Date Announced

Vertex Pop announced on their Twitter page today that Graceful Explosion Machine will be available on Nintendo Switch on April 6, 2017 for $12.99.  Last week we posted about how this game was doing at PAX East, so it's great to have an official date!

Mirage: Arcane Warfare. Closed Beta Live Today

Mirage: Arcane Warfare by Torn Banner Studios has announced that their Closed Beta goes live today, and if you pre-order the game, you can get access to the beta testing.  There is a standard edition and a special edition: the special edition including an original game soundtrack, an HD Fan Pack, and Chivalry: Medieval Warfare Complete Edition.

The official release date is set for May 23, 2017.  You can check out the game's Steam page here.

Capybara Games Collaborates with Cartoon Network On "OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes"

Capybara Games has announced that they are teaming up with Cartoon Network to create a console game based on the series "OK K.O.!  Let's Be Heroes."  Ian Jones-Quartey created the short "Lakewood Plaza Turbo", and Cartoon Network released a mobile game (OK K.O.! Lakewood Plaza Turbo) for iOS and Android based on Jones-Quartey's shorts.  Now Capybara Games will work to create a new console game.

“OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes is set in Lakewood Plaza, a mall for heroes, where K.O. and his kooky crew of friends are always working to outdo each other as they try to level up and thwart their evil foe Lord Boxman’s plot to destroy the plaza.”

— http://www.capybaragames.com/

Rima: The Story Begins

"Rima: The Story Begins" is a modern 2D platform game developed by UP Entertainment Ltd.  It consists of many supernatural characters including: Rima, a small mutant blue-green algae; Razgon, a giant dragon and the main antagonist; and Ilathen, the Goddess of Ila.  Rima is tasked with restoring major elements to bring life back to the land as the land has been seized by Shadow.  Check out some screenshots below.

“In this humor-filled adventure game, the player controls Rima, a small mutant blue-green algae in cyan who is on a mission to save his homeland seized by Shadow. Rima has the ability to run and jump but needs to learn a lot more as he interacts with his environment. The player helps Rima to collect new abilities, Life Plants and upgrades as he jumps from different platforms and solves various puzzles.”

“Rima: The Story Begins" will be available on the App Store and Google Play this summer, with a planned Steam, PlayStation, and Windows Store release in the Winter.  If you want to keep up to date, you can follow them on Instagram @u.p.entertainment

Castle Pixel Releasing Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King This Month

Here's one that almost snuck by us, but the developer behind Rex Rocket will be releasing their next game, Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King, later this month on Steam. The Zelda inspired game has players controlling Lily, Knight of the Rose:

Slash your way through monster-infested dungeons to save the Kingdom of Blossom from eternal darkness. Collect unique weapons, spells, and more during your journey to take down powerful bosses and solve clever puzzles.  Be part of a vivid, dynamic story passed down from grandfather to grandchildren by influencing the course of events yourself!

Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King releases on Steam on March 28th. You can check out the Steam page right here.

Yuuuuge Runbow Sale Going On Right Now

Our friends over at 13AM Games have announced a huge sale for Runbow. You can pick up the 9 player party platformer on Wii U, Steam, and Humble Bundle for 50% off.

Runbow is on sale! Tons of single player content, online, 50% off. On sale on #Steam, Humble, & #WiiU! #pcgaming https://t.co/6IE0BZumj9 pic.twitter.com/uAG3cM7hr1

— 13AM Games (@13amgames) March 23, 2017

We don't know what's next for 13AM Games, but the sale goes until April 5th. If you're looking to Switch* up your wardrobe a little, you can see similar savings on their official store.

*That's me being funny.

GRIP available on Steam

GRIP is available on Steam, and it looks like a pretty sweet racing game.  All the vehicles in GRIP have armour and weapons, and it looks really intense.  The creators at Caged Element are planning a console version this year (which I will be all over as soon as it's available).  Check out the screenshots and trailer below.

Let's Talk Float - Indie Game from GalacticThumb

Hey everyone, I downloaded Float on iOS and wanted to share some quick thoughts.  Don't forget to subscribe to TorontoGameDevs on YouTube.

Float by GalacticThumb

Our friends at GalacticThumb have released Float on iOS.  In Float, you tap around the flower to move it through various obstacles, and it can be quite challenging.  Each level has different aesthetics and music and I am really enjoying it.

Graceful Explosion Machine Getting Love on Reddit from PAX East

Graceful Explosion Machine by Vertex Pop is set to release in April, and check out all the love that it’s getting on Reddit from its’ appearance at PAX East.  There is definitely hype growing for this game, and I can't wait to play it myself on the Switch and see all the combo variations.

Graceful Explosion Machine is a side-scrolling shooter.  You are the pilot of the Graceful Explosion Machine; a fighter ship battling your way to get home.  Your ship has four weapons with combos and you can travel over 30 levels across four unique worlds.

Updated: Bee Odyssey Available for iOS and Android

Illumination Games is releasing Bee Odyssey, officially launching on March 28, 2017 on iOS and Android.  They created a fun and educational game for all ages.  Check out some screenshots and an updated gameplay trailer below.

“We are a game development studio that has partnered up with the Canada Agriculture & Food Museum to create Bee Odyssey, a fun all-ages mobile game that educates players about bees and their importance to our survival. Our intention is to create a mobile experience which draws attention to the risks and lives of honey bees. The game features real food sources, predators, hazards and environments which Honey Bees encounter (in the North East) and a field guide which includes additional reference information.”

You can follow Illumination games for updates on their social media pages:

• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/illuminationgames/
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/illum_games
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/illum_games/

Kings of Pool From Uken Games Out Now On iOS And Android

A game that has pretty much taken over most of my evenings was released on iOS and Android a few weeks back. Kings of Pool from our friends at Uken Games is a free to play billiard game that lets players create their own club and battle others online (make sure to join the TorontoGameDevs group!). You can download the game for free on iOS here, and Android here. Follow them on FaceBook is stay up to date on everything involving the game.

Thrive Games Posts New Screenshots for Dragon of Legends

The team at Thrive Games has been working on Dragons of Legends, an online action RPG.  They posted some screenshots of their progress, and the art is looking very beautiful.

No word of a release date yet, but you can follow them on Twitter, or on Facebook.

Metanet Software Would "Love To Bring [N++] To Switch"

Found this while browsing Reddit, but a fan asked Metanet Software on their FaceBook page the chances on a N++ Switch port. It sounds like they want to do it, but would just need help from Nintendo with porting, and cost.

"Just to clarify, we said we would LOVE to bring it to the Switch -- we still need to get Nintendo on board and find a team to help port it, and find the money to help pay for that :)

We think N++ would be so awesome on the Switch, so we're really hoping this works out! The more support we get from fans and players, saying they want N++ on the Switch, the better -- hopefully Nintendo will see understand how many people want this to happen and we'll be able to get the ball rolling."

Start tweeting at Nintendo, or emailing their support if you want to see N++ on Switch.

A Look At Some Local Student Games Going To LevelUp TO

Next month is the 7th annual LevelUp TO which is a gaming showcase for locally developed student games. Out friends at Oddbird Studios won it last year, and I'm excited to check out some of the games this year.

If you want a head start, check out some of the Tweets below - if you're a developer who will be there - tweet at my on Twitter and I'll update this story.

Valhalla Showdown is being showcased @LevelUpTO! bring your friends and be Ready to Dropkick your way to victory
@TorontoGameDevs

— Suplex Games (@Suplex_Games) March 21, 2017

DISCO IS DEAD! will be playable at @LevelUpTO! Be sure to bring a buddy! 👬 Also check out all the other awesome @sheridancollege games! 👏 https://t.co/qUmshLNs7r

— Disco is Dead! (@DiscoIsDeadGame) March 17, 2017

#DetectiveVR will be showcased @LevelUpTO!! Bring all your friends and play some awesome student-made games! #gamedev #indiedev #VR https://t.co/JNpbZvgn1r

— Sixty Forty Games (@SixtyFortyGames) March 17, 2017

Can't wait to show off the game that I've been working on with @5HorsemenGames for the last 8 months 😊 https://t.co/nDvY7WdtNJ

— Katherine Elliott (@elliottkat) March 17, 2017

Guess we're heading to Toronto in April!. #roadtrippin #indiedev #LevelUpTO pic.twitter.com/WUI4olFuce

— Paul Ungar (@PaulUngar) March 6, 2017

@TorontoGameDevs @gamedevs @LevelUpTO our @McMasterU game design class is aiming to demo our end of term team project! :)

— Daven Bigelow (@DavenBigelow) March 18, 2017