56 Game Studios Release System Siege In Early Access

System Siege, the turn-based strategy game from Waterloo based 56 Gaem Studios hit Early Access on Steam last week. You can get the game here, which looks like a little love letter to Advanced Wars.

Negotiations have failed. We tried to destroy the technology we'd spent so long building. Now is the time for action. The ultimate battle for survival rages on between humans and androids. Use your strategies to dominate and destroy in System Siege. Who will be left when the smoke clears, commander? 

System Siege is a top-down turn-based strategy game set in the distant future. An homage to the classics, System Siege showcases a diverse range of units and commanders to choose from - know their strengths and dominate. 

According to the Steam page, the game will be up for Early Access for 10 months to gather feedback, while also adding different difficulties, a full singleplayer, and a map editor.

Wishlist now on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/683910 It's all out war and it's either us or them. Humans or Androids. Battle as different commanders in System Siege, a tactical turn-based strategy to defeat the androids and win not only the planet back, but the entire solar system.

E3: ARia's Legacy Trailer Released

We spoke about Pixel Crushers ARia's Legacy just before the show, and now we have the official trailer for the upcoming AR escape room game. You can check it out below.

ARia's Legacy is the first mobile escape room game using AR (augmented reality) technology. Instead of displaying objects on a table in front of you, it creates a virtual environment around your physical space that has you walking around your room discovering parts that were never there before.

Their Twitter page also had a bunch of footage of players playing so I recommend checking that out as well. If you're actually at E3 they are at booth 2454.

All set up and ready for #E32018! Now we're just waiting for all of YOU to come play!#TPCE3 #indiegame #gamedev #augmentedreality #escaperoom #mobile #Android #iOS #ARKit #Unity3D pic.twitter.com/WjMJTTuOjK

— The Pixel Crushers @E3 2454 (@ThePixelCrusher) June 11, 2018

E3: Cuphead Expansion Announced - Coming Spring 2019 [Updated]

During Microsoft's E3 press conference, Microsoft announced Cuphead DLC along with a new trailer. It will be coming Spring 2019 and I'll update this post with more.

[UPDATED]

That (obviously) didn't take long. The new trailer is posted online and we got some details straight from Studio MDHR, including that the game will have new weapons, charms, and bosses. The game will also feature a new playable character Ms Chalice.

In Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course, Cuphead and Mugman are joined by Ms. Chalice for a DLC add-on adventure on a brand new island! With new weapons, new charms, and Ms. Chalice's brand new abilities, take on a new cast of multi-faceted, screen-filling bosses to assist Chef Saltbaker in Cuphead's final challenging quest.

Big news! We’re busy cooking up a super new Cuphead expansion DLC – The Delicious Last Course. A new isle with a feast of new weapons, charms, and bosses. And to top it all off - Ms.Chalice – a brand new playable character. Coming 2019.https://t.co/nf9IrN5jTf pic.twitter.com/JBgShjIjC0

— Studio MDHR (@StudioMDHR) June 10, 2018

Road To E3: ARia's Legacy

With E3 next week we're going to be doing the lead up to the event, and of course we'll be writing about the games shown at E3. One of those games will be Aria's Legacy from Pixel Crushers. Labeled as the first mobile AR Escape Room Experience, players will use their own mobile phone or tablet to solve over 50 levels of puzzles. You can check out the full press release and some screenshots below - but we'll get the full reveal at E3.

What do you think we'll find? 🗝 Maybe we can work together in 10 more days! #e32018 #E3iscoming#screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #escaperoom #MobileGame #AR #Android #ios pic.twitter.com/VcPIgzXwjF

— ARia's Legacy @E3 2454 (@ariaslegacy) June 2, 2018

The First Mobile AR Escape Room Experience, ARia's Legacy, is Happening at E3
The Pixel Crushers will be showcasing an exclusive demo of ARia’s Legacy, the first augmented reality escape room game at E3 on June 12-14, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center
 
TORONTO, CANADA, May 22, 2018 – An exclusive demo of ARia’s Legacy, the first mobile AR escape room video game, will be shown by developers The Pixel Crushers at E3 from June 12-14, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. 

ARia's Legacy is a true implementation of augmented reality. Instead of displaying objects on a table in front of you, it creates a virtual environment around your physical space that has you walking around your room discovering parts that were never there before. Through the power of AR, players can immerse themselves in 50 different levels of mystery anywhere using a mobile phone or tablet as they uncover the story behind ARia’s sudden disappearance and discover her legacy.

In ARia’s Legacy, you are a part of a team of archaeologists excitedly looking for artifacts at your newest archaeological site. Suddenly, your shovel strikes a chest that you quickly unearth with the help of various tools around you. When you try to open it, you are seemingly thrown into a locked room that is at once familiar and eerily foreign to you.

Your only clue seems to be the chest that you found and the name “ARia" ringing in your head.

With ARia’s Legacy, we created an immersive escape room experience that you can enjoy anywhere at any time,” says Galal Hassan, professor of George Brown College and The Pixel Crusher’s project manager. “Augmented reality is meant to have the player move around. Using your environment to solve puzzles is why AR was born. The most successful AR games are the ones that make you move. This is the future of gaming in AR.”

Attendees will be able to register in advance to skip the lines at E3 in order to try this convention exclusive hands-on demo of ARia’s Legacy on their website.

ARia’s Legacy is currently in development for both iOS and Android platforms. Follow the development of ARia’s Legacy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.


Game Info

Title: ARia’s Legacy
Genre: Mystery/puzzle
Developer: The Pixel Crushers
Platforms: iOS, Android
Release date: TBA
Web: https://www.ariaslegacy.com/

-###-

About The Pixel Crushers

The Pixel Crushers is a small independent creative software agency that offers superior app and game development services that shifts your projects into overdrive. Our team consists of senior level developers Galal Hassan and Abdul Algharbi, as well as several graduate designers that have worked on countless projects such as our first release, RoBox and its sequel, Robo X – The Lost Energy. Together, we craft games that make you think! For more information, go to https://www.thepixelcrushers.com/.
 

New Podcast And Interview Up On Patreon

Today we recorded two podcasts. The first was with Alex Bethke where we talked about his extensive game creating history, and his work with Toronto Game Jam. The interview will be up for everyone on Tuesday, but if you're a Patron at the $4+ level you can grab the episode here.

I also recorded a E3/catch up podcast episode with Bret. We went over the games released so far this year, what we've be playing, and our predictions for E3. It'll be up tomorrow, or you can check it out on Patreon if you're at the $1+ level.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and Google Play! 

Golem Out Now On Steam

Golem, the platforming puzzle from Hegemony developers Longbow Games is out now on Steam, and enjoying a 10% discount (as of this writing). Golem has you playing a young girl and shape-shifting golem who must navigate the ruins of an ancient tower.

No one knew who built the ancient tower that loomed beside the coast. The young girl figured water must have once flowed down its giant aqueducts into her village, but even her grandfather couldn't remember seeing the mill's old water wheel turn. These days it is the job of her and the other children to journey to-and-from the tower to collect what little water bubbles up in the caves beneath it. But everything is about to change when she awakens a mysterious glowing orb buried beneath the puddles. Images long hidden on the cavern walls now glow with hints of a new hope for her drought-stricken village, and the sealed door of the tower sits ajar for the first time in centuries. With her curious companion in tow, the young girl bravely enters the crumbling ruins of the ancient machine to discover if its long-held secrets hold the key to her future.

#GOLEM is now available for PC ! Buy it now for -10% off !

Steam: https://t.co/PUI0NU2NgE

GOG: https://t.co/7BvNLo3kOm@LongbowGames #longbowgolem pic.twitter.com/S9a5WgU8nh

— Golem (@longbowgolem) May 29, 2018

You can pick up the game on Steam right here $16.99 CAD (and it's currently on a 10% discount). 

Game Developers At VRTO

I was given a list of game developers (both local and out of city/country) that will be attending/presenting at VRTO (which we've talked about here). Remember that TorontoGameDevs.com readers have a chance to save! Use the code: TOGameDevs15 to save 15% on tickets.

Game Dev Speakers

• Steve Gaynor - Fullbright (Gone Home, Tacoma) - Portland, OR

• Paloma Dawkins - NFB (Alea, Gardenarium, Palmystery) - Montreal

• Blair Renaud - IRIS VR (Road Warrior, GTA: London, Technolust) - Toronto

• Phillip Rosedale - Founder (Second Life, High Fidelity) - San Francisco

• Johnny Montsarrat - Founder (Turbine) - Boston, MA

• Elli Raynai - Cinehackers (Circuit Rider) - Toronto

• Lee Vermeulen - Alientrap Games (Apotheon, Cryptark, ModBox) - Toronto

• John Bolton - Globacore - Toronto

Game Dev Exhibitors:

• Stephen Shew - (Battleverse  - Multiplayer Augmented Reality RPG) - Toronto

• Martov Co. - (Chiaro and the Elixir of Life) - Montreal

• Paloma Dakwins - (Museum of Symmetry) - Montreal)

• Chris Cooper - Singular Dream (Shatter Everything) - Toronto

• Dustin Freeman - Escape Character (Moatboat, Shapeshifter/Tweetris) - Toronto

• VRulez - showcasing the Katwalk Premium VR treadmill seen in Ready Player One with various VR games - Toronto

• Globacore - Various

Pirate Pop Plus Coming To Nintendo Switch May 31st

Dadako Studios developed, and 13AM Games published Pirate Pop Plus is hitting Switch this week. The puzzle game is also available on Steam, 3DS, and Wii U, and makes for a good time waster while we wait for Runbow on Switch, and their next game Double Cross.

"Join Pete Jr on his quest to defeat the nefarious Bubble Pirate, an evil villain who has trapped the innocent townsfolk in bubbles! Dodge and pop bubbles with your anchor while collecting power-ups and managing Bubble Pirate’s constant gravity-switching mischief! When you feel at your Piratey-est, test your skill in the ultra-challenging Hyper Mode... The game may be faster and harder, but you'll find treasures beyond your wildest dreams. Coins as far as the eye can see! Collect coins to unlock content in the game’s shop like new music, new faceplates, buttons, backlights, and even characters for your bubble-popping mayhem! Yarr!"

Get ready to hop into the lovely pixellated world of Pirate Pop Plus from @dadakostudios on your #NintendoSwitch next week on May 31st! It will be coming with a 20% off launch discount as well, so make sure get your hooks into it right away! pic.twitter.com/bQgQkrR07V

— 13AM Games (@13amgames) May 24, 2018

N++ Out Now On Switch

In case you missed it, ninja platformer N++ from Metanet Software is out now on Nintendo Switch.

N++ is a fast-paced, momentum-based platformer about darting around obstacles, narrowly evading enemies and collecting gold in a beautiful minimalist landscape.

N++ is all about using your momentum to complete levels and get high scores, but in this sci-fi world, there's a slew of inadvertently homicidal enemy robots trying to prevent you from completing your goal.

Through the hand-crafted (NOT procedurally generated) levels, you'll experience platforming at its most intense. Using only your fluid movement, you need to 'solve' each level and get to the exit.

N++ is out NOW on the Nintendo Switch. YEAH!

Release your inner ninja.
EU: https://t.co/gtgQeWroc3
NA: https://t.co/tcD9Nvinl5

And check out the incredible launch trailer: https://t.co/uxjCRjubLH#NintendoSwitch #Nplusplus pic.twitter.com/WoZbSMVGeN

— Metanet Software (@metanetsoftware) May 24, 2018

SkyPyre 'The Blobs Fight' Coming To Steam Next Month

If you didn't get a chance to play The Blobs Fight at EGLX, then never fear - as the arena party game from SkyPyre will be coming to Steam in June. There is even a Steam page that you can add to your wishlist. 

"The Blobs Fight is a silly, over-the-top arena party game about creatures of blob like nature, fighting each other to the blash! (Blob for death). Run around as a blob attacking other players to knock pieces (aka bits) of them off, collect those pieces to get bigger, be the largest or the last one standing, profit."

#TheBlobsFight is coming soon on #Steam!#Wishlist here: https://t.co/X88DXOgzef#madewithunity #TBF #blobs #indiegame #indie #indiedev #game #videogame #gaming #localmultiplayer #partygame #beatemup #gamedev #gameplay #letsplay #steamrelease #comingsoon pic.twitter.com/msdVu9nofE

— SkyPyre - The Blobs Fight! (@SkyPyreStudios) April 23, 2018

Toronto GameJam 2018 Games

Toronto GameJam was a few weeks ago, and friend of the site Tabby let me know that most of the games from the event are up on itch.io - you can check them out right here.

Make sure to also check out our Discord which has active chats about gamedev related things :)

First Impact: Rise of a Hero to Leave Early Access on June 8

The VR game which launched into Early Access in February 2017 will see it's official release on June 8th, according to developers Red Meat Games. 

Run Jump Fail Out Now On Steam

Run Jump Fail is the latest game from Luke O'Connor, who previously released Kapsul Infinite on Steam. In Run Jump Fail is a platformer where you will...fail, a lot:

"Run Jump Fail puts you in control of the hapless HappyMan, and tasks you with guiding him through a whole load of treacherous obstacle courses. You'll fail a lot along the way, but watching HappyMan collapse and flail when he's just run into a wall, or tripped on a ledge, or been hit by a big red spinning thing is a lot of fun.

Seriously, failing is 90% of the fun. So fail away."

You can check out the trailer and screenshots below. But make sure to head over to Steam to pick it up for only $7.99. Of course if you're a Patreon at the $4.00+ level you have a chance at getting a free copy as well.

Out now on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/781640/Run_Jump_Fail/

N++ Announced For Nintendo Switch - Coming Later This Month

Metanet Software has announced the next console to get the ninja platformer N++. The game will be coming to Nintendo Switch May 24th.

"We can't wait for you to try N++ on the Switch -- it plays perfectly, local multiplayer is a blast, and the fact that you can take it with you when you travel is just the best. We've been waiting for this day for a very long time, and it's incredibly exciting that it's almost here. You're going to love it!"

Check out the trailer below.

YEAH! N++ is coming soon to the Nintendo Switch! SOON! Get ready to release your inner ninja on May 24th, 2018. Click SHOW MORE to see details: N++ is a fast-paced, momentum-based platformer where you get to play as a badass parkour-loving ninja, narrowly escaping enemies and collecting gold in sci-fi landscapes.

VRTO - Virtual and Augmented Reality World Conference and Expo 2018

In June, VRTO (the Virtual and Augmented Reality World Conference and Export) will be held here in Toronto, and TorontoGameDevs.com readers have a chance to save! Use the code: TOGameDevs15 to save 15% on tickets.

If you're unfamiliar with VRTO, it's a yearly event centered around VR - you can check out the website and full details here. This year will have a  bunch of local speakers including Lee Vermeulen from Alientrap.

VRTO aims to empower people to share their world, culture, knowledge and dreams with the assistance of emergent immersive technologies.

Recognized internationally for its high caliber, high-quality discussions, in-depth training, world-class presentations and top level speakers, VRTO brings together compelling discourse and bleeding-edge prototypes, demonstrations and innovative companies in carefully crafted schedules and environments.

While many conference focus on airing the problems and pain points in the industry, VRTO has an acute focus on searching for solutions for these problems, and testing candidates.

VRTO is always an opportunity to build powerful and long-lasting business and personal relationships, with a very open-minded and inclusive community, unafraid to ask the big questions. Furthermore, the show provides many different tools to ensure attendees find their best matches towards meeting their goals at the show.