2nd Annual TorontoGameDevs.com Game of the Year Voting!

Poll Closed! Results are in!

Last year, N++ won the Game of the Year voting. Who will be the winner this year? Vote below, and in the new year I'll post the winners!

Only one vote per person, but you can vote for as many games as you want. If I missed any there is a Write In feature at the bottom, or let me know on Twitter. 

Note: Ports didn't count (sorry Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, and N++), but DLC, and extra episodes do. Feel free to use the search on the right hand side to find out more about that game.

Metanet Software Announces N++ Ultimate Edition

Toronto developer Metanet Software have announced N++ Ultimate Edition, which is described as so large or an update "it might as well be a sequel."

We’ve been working on this since the PS4 version of N++ shipped in mid-2015, and the great news is that we’re almost done. N++ Ultimate Edition will be a HUGE addition to the game — roughly doubling the size of the original version, with new levels as well as new colour schemes to funlock — *and* N++ Ultimate Edition will feature a new singleplayer game mode designed for veteran players!

N++ is set to release early 2017 for both PlayStation 4 and Steam, though we'll have to wait a little bit longer on the finer details. On a possible Xbox One version, Metanet Software said "We’re trying to make that work"

Snowman and Slingshot & Satchel Announce DISTANT

Alto's Adventure's developer Snowman have announced another partnership (readers may remember they have Where Cards Fall in the works).  They've announced a new partnership with Slingshot & Satchel and released a trailer for their first game: DISTANT.

A wondrous voyage through pastel dreamscapes. www.builtbysnowman.com/distant

DISTANT takes you on a wondrous voyage through pastel dreamscapes, to prevent a calamity from consuming the world you once knew. Along the way, you’ll confront an inescapable past, and learn how much you're willing to sacrifice in your search for solace.

DISTANT will be coming to PC, Mac, Consoles, and Apple TV, though we'll have to wait a little longer for a release timeframe, and price.  In the meantime, you can check out the official Alto's Adventure Store and pick up some swag for the holidays.

Maize Out Today On PC - Launch Trailer

Announced earlier in the year, Maize is finally out as one of the last Toronto developed games to release this year (I think):

Maize is a first-person adventure game about what happens when two scientists misinterpret a memo from the U.S. Government and create sentient corn. And that last sentence is pretty much the least ridiculous thing about the game.

Explore an abandoned farm and a not-so-abandoned underground research facility as you uncover the mysteries around Maize, and possibly learn a bit about yourself along the way. Or maybe not.

With a colourful cast of characters and an absolutely absurd world, Maize offers up a unique experience that keeps the surprises coming. Seriously, they’re everywhere.

Kick back, relax, enjoy a cup of tea, and watch Maize's launch trailer. Unless you've completely forgotten about the kettle, in which case, go take it off of the stove. If the kettle is in fact on fire, stop reading this paragraph immediately and find a bucket of water.

You can pick up the game on Steam, the Humble Store, and GOG.

Let's Talk - Jazzpunk Director's Cut Is Weird, Funny, And An Easy Platinum

I'm back with another Let's Talk! This time I talk about Jazzpunk which is a game I played over Extra Life - I'd give it a shot either on PlayStation or on Steam!

Jazzpunk Director's Cut is currently out on PlayStation 4 (with the normal version being out on Steam). It's a fun, and confusing game so I give my thoughts on it! Make sure to check out www.torontogamedevs.com for the latest!

Let's Play: Watch Dogs 2 - Ubistolen Mission

Here's another video of me playing Watch Dogs 2. In this one, you hack into the Ubisoft San Francisco office to steal an unreleased/unannounced game and release it to a gaming website (not TorontoGameDevs.com).

Make sure to subscribe on Youtube!

Hey there! Here's a play through of the 'Ubistolen' mission where you hack in Ubisoft San Franciso and steal a unreleased game. Is it really? We'll have to wait and see. This also gets you the Leaks and Leaks trophies/achievement. Apologies ahead of time for my brutal driving of the forklift.

Party Game 'Use Your Words' Coming Early Next Year

Another Toronto developed game was brought to my attention the other day on Twitter, Use Your Words.

Fun fact! Did you know that the game @brentalfloss and I are working on, @UseYourWords, is being made entirely in Toronto? @TorontoGameDevs

— Julian Spillane (@JulianSpillane) November 14, 2016

Use Your Words is a game that invites players to respond to a variety of mini-games and prompts with the funniest answers they can think of! Players play using their phones and tablets as controllers, making game-play seamless and quick to pick up. Players who get stumped can use one of the hidden "House Answers" to lay a trap for their fellow players once it's time for everyone to vote for their favorite.

Here it is, a sneak peek at the new and improved version of Use Your Words from Smiling Buddha Games! Music by Dmitry Lifshitz (license purchased via AudioJungle)

You can out the games Steam page right here, but it is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, and Steam early next year.

Let's Play: Watch Dogs 2 - First Mission

Hey everyone! Since Ubisoft was kind enough to give me a code for Watch Dogs 2, I'll be posting some videos for is. The first one is below! Enjoy, and subscribe!

Ubisoft was kind enough to give me a code for Watch Dogs 2 on PS4. This is me playing the first mission on PS4Pro, minor spoilers for Watch Dogs 2 obviously. I'll be posting more, so make sure to subscribe and check out TorontoGameDevs.com for more!

Shadow Heroes: Vengeance In Flames Out On Steam November 22nd

As mentioned on our podcast, Shadow Heroes: Vengeance in Flames from Allied Games will be out on Steam November 22nd. The RTS game will release episodically, with Episode 1 containing the core game for future episodes.

Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/398670 Allied Games: http://www.alliedgames.co/ Shadow Heroes: http://www.shadowheroes.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlliedGamesInc.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/alliedgames instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliedgames/

If you want to find out more about Shadow Heroes, or Allied Games make sure to also check out the interview we did with Justin, the CEO at Allied Games. Until then, make sure to add the game to your Steam wishlist!

New Trailer Shows Off Dashy Square Level Editor

Indie Dev Kastriot Sulejmani has been hard working on a level editor for his game Dashy Square, you can check out a sneak peak below: 

300 Likes = Beta in 2 weeks! Please Like, Comment and Share! =D It has been work-in-progress for almost 6 months! Level Editor is almost ready guys!@# HYPE HYPE! I'm hyped for my own game XD SPECIAL THANKS: Level Editor Programmer: https://twitter.com/LoGerrol COMING SOON! Thanks for playing everybody!

You can pick up Dashy Square on iOS, Android and Steam.

Check Out The Watch Dogs 2 Launch Trailer

Watch Dogs 2 is collaboratively developed within the Ubisoft family, including Ubisoft Toronto. It's out November 15th for PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It'll be out on Steam on November 29th, and Ubisoft released a launch trailer:

After being wrongly profiled as a criminal risk by a citywide operating system, Marcus Holloway investigates to find rampant corporate corruption and manipulation of the public. Marcus and his group of hackers, DedSec, wage a war to take down the system and return power to the people.

Runbow Coming to Steam This Month

Well I was a little off when I thought 13AM Games would be releasing some DLC, since today they announced that Runbow will be coming to Steam later this month.

Huge news Runbow Fans! RUNBOW IS COMING TO STEAM ON NOVEMBER 18TH! Retweet & tell your friends to get ready! #Bowvember #gamedev #indiedev pic.twitter.com/CEvRAUbxgT

— 13AM Games (@13amgames) November 7, 2016

The store page doesn't appear to be up yet, but make sure to check out 13AM Games on Twitter. The game will release on Steam November 18th, but can be picked up on Wii U right now, and new 3DS later this year.

Ubisoft Releases 'Watch Dogs 2 - Live Dedsec Hack' Video - Overview For Dedsec R3sistance campaign

Lots of marketing push for Watch Dogs 2, as we'll see the game released this month. Ubisoft have released a Watch Dogs 2 'Live Dedsec Hack" video, which is to give an overview of the Dedsec R3sistance Campaign.

On October 13th, 7:30pm ET, the hacker group known as DedSec launched a live hack operation on HAUM Electronic Inc.'s smart home demo, located in Toronto, Canada.

Ubisoft Canada selected Canadian fans to participate in the tour of this cutting-edge smart home as a promotional stunt for the upcoming release of Watch Dogs 2.

Unbeknownst to the visitors, this operation was broadcast live on Ubisoft Canada's Facebook & YouTube channels simultaneously and invited viewers to decide how DedSec would hack the smart home.

This was the climax of DedSec's campaign against HAUM in Canada. Check the rest of the campaign on DedSec's Canadian Hub: www.dedsec.haumcanada.com

On October 13th, 7:30pm ET, the hacker group known as DedSec launched a live hack operation on HAUM Electronic Inc.'s smart home demo, located in Toronto, Canada. Ubisoft Canada selected Canadian fans to participate in the tour of this cutting-edge smart home as a promotional stunt for the upcoming release of Watch Dogs 2.

Watch Dogs 2 is out for PlayStation 4, Xbox One on November 15th, and Steam on November 29th. You can check out some further details about Dedsec R3isistance below, and at their website.

About the Dedsec R3sistance Campaign

Last September, Ubisoft launched the Dedsec R3sistance Campaign, inviting Canadians to immerse themselves in the world of WATCH_DOGS 2 and explore its themes of privacy and ultra-connectivity. Fans were encouraged to visit the Dedsec Canada Hub to fight alongside a collective of hackers and participate in weekly missions and hacking challenges that culminated in the ultimate live hacking challenge in Toronto on October 13. During this final part of Dedsec Canada’s mission, a group of fans got a sneak peek of the Show HAUM in-person, while Canadians on the Dedsec Canada Hub were invited to hack it in real time, from the comfort of their own homes.

About USER PROFILED

Ubisoft Canada and VICE Canada partnered to create USER PROFILED, a two-part documentary series exploring themes from WATCH_DOGS 2, such as growing concerns around online user profiling, its implications for user privacy and the increasing threat it poses to Canadians’ civil liberties. Both episodes of USER PROFILED are available here.

 

Arrow Heads Gets An Audio Guy - Releases Small Teaser

Arrow Heads, the multiplayer game from Oddbird Studio now has an audio guy. PJ Tremblay, a producer out of Oakville will be composing music for the game, as announced via Twitter.

We partnered with PJ from @audio4n6 to create the music for Arrow Heads! We have a short tease here! https://t.co/FPaIBH9lZo #indiedev

— OddBird Studio (@OddBirdStudio) November 5, 2016

I'm so pumped to #compose for #ArrowHeads! It's been a blast w/ #Oddbirdstudio. The #game kicks ass! Can't wait till it's out! #gameaudio https://t.co/oLyQW9UcWe

— Audio 4n6 🎮🎤🎬 (@audio4n6) November 5, 2016

They also released a teaser for the score, which you can check out on Youtube. Make sure to subscribe to their channel!

We have partnered with an amazing individual named PJ from Audio4n6 to compose the various songs for Arrow Heads. He has done an absolutely outstanding job, and we wanted to give a brief sneak peek of the upcoming music!

Sounds awesome! Make sure to follow Oddbird, and PJ Tremblay on Twitter.