Reporting on the games made in Canada and the creators behind them
Indie Dev Adam Stox reached out to me to let me know some of the games he's worked on, including Knot Fun. The free download, which is available on iOS and Android has surpassed over half a million downloads and has players untying knots. You can check out the video below, and make sure to follow Adam on Twitter.
Knot Fun! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.StoxBox.KnotFun https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/knot-fun/id1156969087?mt=8
Here is Chris and I play some more For Honor! Remember to subscribe on YouTube!
For Honor practice mode, plus some more commentary from Chris and I. Make sure to subscribe and visit TorontoGameDevs.com! Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: designbyhumans.com/shop/TorontoGameDevs/
Overall, Kapsul Infinite’s $4.49 price point on Steam doesn’t quite feel worth it to me. There simply isn’t enough to keep me invested in the gameplay for very long, and without any integration of achievements or leaderboards of any kind it just falls a little flat. It is, however, a game that would be perfect for a mobile device where one play session consists of a few levels on the bus or while waiting out an unpleasant family reunion on the toilet. While the PC is not the platform to play it on, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try on mobile devices.
We live in an age where it’s easy to get bogged down in new features, and developers often seem to push for complex mechanic after complex mechanic. N++, however, sends itself off with a warm reminder that the series has always been created around one sole value: fun.
Despite flaws such as these, I honestly do myself blown away by the potential the game has down the road. It features a robust level editing tool that allows for the creation of scenarios and huge, complex maps. It has Steam Workshop support for user-generated content and (if the patch notes and Longbow Game's Facebook page are any indication) it's still being improved and updated tirelessly by the team at Longbow so many issues described here could very well be patched and improved in future updates.
Alone With You gives you an exceptional story about love, and loneliness, with gameplay that gives you a little more than your traditional visual novel.
There was once a girl named Cally, who was an ordinary girl who lived an ordinary life. One day she found her parents kidnapped by Herbert, a mad scientist seeking revenge for a tragic past. Cally, deciding it was in her best interests to not have her parents in distress and doing what any respectable young woman would do in this situation, grabbed her semi-automatic pistol and medieval bastard sword and made chase, filling anything that got in her way full of lead before tearing it asunder.
Lost Orbit is a 2D top down, action-arcade game with a focus on quick reflexes and the age-old struggle to beat a stage faster than you did two minutes ago. It features a time trial mode devoted to achieving exactly that speedy time as well as a campaign mode geared towards a more laid back experience for casual players.
Far Cry Primal has players controlling Takkar, a Wenja tribesman who is stranded in the fictitious world of Oros. The story comes down to pretty much "I hate that other tribe, so let's go kill them" but over the course of 20 or so hours players will hunt and control animals, craft and improve weapons, and gather your people to rebuild the Wenja tribe.
Snowman announced today that Where Cards Fall will be coming Fall 2017 iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac and PC. With the announcement they also delivered a new trailer which you can see below:
Where Cards Fall is a coming of age story where you build houses of cards to move through imaginative puzzles and bring vivid memories of adolescence to life. Coming to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and PC in Fall 2017.
From the blog post, Snowman described the game a bit more in depth:
It may look cinematic, but what you’re seeing here is a real glimpse of our gameplay and story. In Where Cards Fall, you’ll build houses of cards to form and shape the world around you. These houses not only help you move through imaginative puzzles, but also bring to life vivid memories of adolescence.
This particular memory is of teenagehood in the suburbs. Filled with far more cacophonous uncertainty than the playful magic of the forests, the suburbs are home to a crucial question: who will you become? Would you rather remain comfortable at home, or venture into the world outside?
Where Cards Fall is expected to hit PC, Mac, and iOS devices this Fall, so in the meantime, make sure to download the studio's previous game, Alto's Adventure.
One of the biggest Humble Bundles - the Humble Freedom Bundle is out giving players a huge amount of games, two of them featuring some of Toronto's finest.
Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition from Drinkbox Studios, and Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP from Capybara games is featured in the bundle which can pick up right here.
Toronto-based CAPY Games continues to release updates for their matching hit 5 years after its Apple Arcade debut.
One of our favourites on iPhone, and Nintendo Switch is now heading to PC via the Epic Game Store. Grindstone, the Capybara Games hit also recently received a new Daily Grind mode and Fortune Grind on both Nintendo Switch and Apple Arcade, the Epic Game Store version is out tomorrow.
We’re a little late on this one, but Capybara’s mobile hit, Grindstone, is out now on Nintendo Switch.
Toronto-based Capybara Games (@CAPYGAMES) has released an update to their 2019 sword-slashing puzzle battle game Grindstone adding new levels, bosses, items and more.
As previously announced, Capybara’s roguelike Below has launched on PlayStation 4, while also enjoying a 10% launch discount. You can head over to the PlayStation Store right here to pick it up.
The studio co-founder is leaving after 16 years of making indie games with the Toronto-based studio.
Hey there! Watch Chris and I play For Honor, and make sure to subscribe!
We're back! And as promised we're playing the first 15ish minutes of For Honor, the tutorial and what not. Sorry for the unedited intro as well. Remember to subscribe and leave a comment! Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: designbyhumans.com/shop/TorontoGameDevs/
In a surprise announcement today, 13AM Games announced they are partnering with iam8bit to bring the Runbow soundtrack to vinyl. You can check out the full page right here, with preorders opening up tomorrow.
We are working with @iam8bit to bring the RUNBOW OST to VINYL! Check out this beautiful 2-colour 2XLP! Orders live TOMORROW! pic.twitter.com/1C93jNrbgU
— 13AM Games (@13amgames) February 15, 2017
Solo indie dev expert and longtime friend-of-the-site Devon Wiersma joins us to talk their latest release Centauri Dark, working across AAA, mid-sized and solo indie dev and how to fix this goshdarn industry.
David B joins us from the west coast best coast to talk about the upcoming Quiver Games Incubator!
Bizdev extraordinaire Eric Beer joins us to give his Hades II impressions and chat v-bucks subsidized game preservation.
We break down Baldur Gate 3's unprecedented success & the knock-on effects it'll have on the industry and how we make games moving forward. We also speak to Ontario-based indie game devs Twinolli about their upcoming action-puzzler Highlighters which just got a (Dad Deck-verified) Steam demo!
We speak to Québécois game dev Dragon Slumber, creator of Tech Support, Aethernaut and many more!
We reveal the winners of our ‘23 Community Awards poll and discuss Drinkbox’s latest teaser for their next project- and more!
This week thousands more game developers join Stephan in the "terminated by evil, stupid people" camp as layoffs hit tons of studios all over Canada and the world. We discuss Sonic as well. Sonic supports Unionizing your Workplace!
Stephan got terminated but that’s okay he just has more time to cover Canadian games now.
Ubisoft's medieval action game For Honor is now out on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. For Honor has players controlling Knights, Samurai, or Vikings in a war of factions - you can check out the trailer below:
For Honor is now available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Buy the game : http://ubi.li/nks2c For more info: http://ubi.li/4y839 Warriors, the battle has begun ! Enter the chaos of a raging war as a Knight, Viking, or Samurai, three of the greatest warrior legacies.
For Honor is developed by Ubisoft Montreal, with our very own Ubisoft Toronto helping out with various things in the game, similar to Watch Dogs 2, and Far Cry Primal.
You can pick up the game for your platform of choice over at Ubisoft's website. I was also given a code, and will be posting plenty of videos on our YouTube channel (which you should definitely subscribe to). See you on the battlefield!
Our statement on the site’s future Ubisoft coverage and why we won’t be nominating any Ubisoft games for our game of the year voting this year.
Ubisoft announced Ubisoft Collegiate Esports, their first-ever proprietary collegiate esports league, premiering with Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, that will kick off this month as part of the new North American ecosystem.
During ongoing sexual assault and harassment investigations, Ubisoft Montréal (@UbisoftMTL) announced a new FPS battle royale Hyper Scape this week as well as a technical test which began immediately.
Ubisoft has announced that a new North American League (@R6esportsNA) League for Rainbow Six Siege (@R6esports) is rolling out this year featuring a Canadian division for the first time in Rainbow Six Siege eSports history.
Ubisoft has announced a new game aimed at teaching kids how to code their own video games. Ubisoft Montreal released Rabbids Coding, a free educational game that you can get on UPlay.
Ubisoft is having a special Halloween event for For Honor - live now until November 1st the “Fans of the Otherworld” in-game event is free for all players. It comes with a new game mode, exclusive Halloween-themed loot, and new executions
Ubisoft Montreals epic Assassin’s Creed Odyssey got the final piece of DLC earlier last month. Titled Judgement of Atlantic, the final episode The Fate of Atlantic is now out Xbox One, Playstation 4, and PC.
Ubisoft announced that Season 3 of their third year for For Honor on August 1st will introduce new Viking Hero ‘Jormungandr’, as well as a new Breach map, and various quality of life and balance changes. Check out the full trailer below.
Creative Bytes, a indie developer in St. Catharines, announced Embers of Mirrim last month, an adventure platformer coming to consoles and PC later this year. The developer did also take to the PlayStation Blog to discuss the game:
As you can see in the teaser trailer, Embers of Mirrim is an adventure-platformer featuring a powerful creature, Mirrim, with the ability to split into light and dark entities called Embers. As Mirrim, you can explore the dramatic landscape using opposing Embers to affect creatures and relics in the world in exciting and unexpected ways.
The Light and Dark Embers are independently controlled by the left and right analog sticks and offer new ways to solve puzzles, overcome obstacles, and traverse through the world. While developing the mechanic, we found it satisfying to seamlessly transition back and forth between the traditional platforming and dual stick flight!
To save their world from an alien threat, two proud races must set aside their differences and come together... literally. An ancient power forges together two distinctly different creatures into one versatile hero charged with restoring peace and balance to the world.
The game will be coming to Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC in Spring of 2017. In the meantime, give Creative Bytes a follow on Twitter.
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We're back! After talking about Binding of Issac last episode, this time we're still playing it but talking about PlayStation Trophies instead. Is it okay to buy a game just because it has a platinum trophy? Is that weird? Remember to subscribe and leave a comment!
Not a Toronto game, but Chris and I did play some Binding of Issac. Check it out, and subscribe!
It's not developed in Toronto, but Chris has been talking non-stop about Binding of Issac, so we decided to play a bit while he tries to sell me on the game.....it doesn't work, but we have fun anyways. Remember to subscribe and leave a comment!
Hey everyone! Another Friday, another Youtube video. remember to subscribe!
This time, we're still playing We Are Doomed, but this time talking about Day One (or early) DLC, and is it bad. Remember to subscribe and leave a comment! Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: designbyhumans.com/shop/TorontoGameDevs/
London developer VitruviusVR have already released Mervils: A VR Adventure on Vive, and Oculus, and now PlayStation users will get a taste of the Fantasy RPG later this month.
With merely a sword and a few coins your quest begins in the Mervil Countryside. The pages of the Great Mervil Book have been scattered throughout the land and the dark sorcerer Balazar the Evil has risen from the shadows. It’s up to one brave hero, to collect the lost pages, rebind the Great Book, and defeat Balazar once and for all. Will that Mervil be you?
Mervils is an open-world RPG platformer built specifically for third-person VR. Explore the four picturesque worlds and save the Mervil Kingdom from Balazar the Evil!
Solo indie dev expert and longtime friend-of-the-site Devon Wiersma joins us to talk their latest release Centauri Dark, working across AAA, mid-sized and solo indie dev and how to fix this goshdarn industry.
David B joins us from the west coast best coast to talk about the upcoming Quiver Games Incubator!
Bizdev extraordinaire Eric Beer joins us to give his Hades II impressions and chat v-bucks subsidized game preservation.
We break down Baldur Gate 3's unprecedented success & the knock-on effects it'll have on the industry and how we make games moving forward. We also speak to Ontario-based indie game devs Twinolli about their upcoming action-puzzler Highlighters which just got a (Dad Deck-verified) Steam demo!
We speak to Québécois game dev Dragon Slumber, creator of Tech Support, Aethernaut and many more!
We reveal the winners of our ‘23 Community Awards poll and discuss Drinkbox’s latest teaser for their next project- and more!
This week thousands more game developers join Stephan in the "terminated by evil, stupid people" camp as layoffs hit tons of studios all over Canada and the world. We discuss Sonic as well. Sonic supports Unionizing your Workplace!
Stephan got terminated but that’s okay he just has more time to cover Canadian games now.
Good friend of the site Aaron McLeod let me know that he's released a new game on iOS and Android, The Snowball Effect. The free-to-play game has players moving a snowball downhill, while completing objectives. This copy of the game is also version 2, and had music done by Jake Butineau.
The objective of the game is to get as far as you can, completing challenges to unlock new abilities. As you collect coins, you can also buy items to increase your chances of survival. The game is out for both iOS & Android at the free tier. It contains in app purchases of a cosmetic nature.
Snowball Effect v2 update is a complete overhaul of the existing game. To address a number of design issues I started revitilizing the overall feel of the game. Instead of being very level & objective based game, Snowball Effect is now an infinite runner, with the feel of old racing games from the NES era. You need to move to dodge obstacles, and to collide into objects that give you resources.
Snowball Effect is a game for iOS and Android. Applying the infinite runner to the old school racing game feel, Snowball Effect challenges you to make it as far down the mountain as you can. Run over targets such as skiiers and snowpiles to gain energy.
Depending on your mobile of choice, you can download the iOS version here, or the Android version here.
In the last full moon before Shadow gets close to the land, Ilathen the Goddess of Ila, sent one of her messengers down to find the one and only savior, because she knew as Shadow steps into Ila and opens the Dark Gate, hope, life and joy would turn into a dream.
With the For Honor launch just around the corner, Ubisoft has gone ahead and launched #BattleForCanada, a website where you complete a survey and then battle for Canada with the three factions from For Honor.
#BattleForCanada
On February 11, Canadians are invited to fight alongside members of their chosen faction to conquer Canada and celebrate the honour of battle. Warriors will be able to fight using their phone as a weapon and watch the battle unfold online. Wielding their phone like a virtual sword, warriors will make slashing movements to recreate the combat moves from For Honor. Warriors will score points for their faction depending on the range, speed and force of these strikes.
An interactive map on ForHonorCanada.com, as well as on a giant billboard at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto, will show the state of the three armies battling it out in real time. As an added moment of celebrity, the best warriors will see their name and faction featured live on Yonge-Dundas Square and the most memorable warriors will be featured in an animated trailer after the battle.
So make sure to head over to ForHonorCanada.com, complete the survey and check out For Honor on February 14th on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Ubisoft has announced that Prince of Persia is returning…sort of. The series, which hasn’t seen a console game since 2010’s Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is coming as a limited-time event in For Honor. The update includes 30 pieces of Prince of Persia-inspired loot to unlock.
Ubisoft is having a special Halloween event for For Honor - live now until November 1st the “Fans of the Otherworld” in-game event is free for all players. It comes with a new game mode, exclusive Halloween-themed loot, and new executions
Ubisoft announced that Season 3 of their third year for For Honor on August 1st will introduce new Viking Hero ‘Jormungandr’, as well as a new Breach map, and various quality of life and balance changes. Check out the full trailer below.
With Vertex Pop making Graceful Explosion Machine on Switch, decided to go back and check out We Are Doomed. Make sure to subscribe on Youtube!
This time we're play We Are Doomed. The developer, Vertex Pop announced Graceful Explosion Machine on Nintendo Switch the other week. Remember to subscribe and leave a comment! Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: designbyhumans.com/shop/TorontoGameDevs/
While it is certainly fun for a while, it suffers from the same problem other mobile games on Steam do: Cube Samurai: RUN!’s price tag of $5:49 feels a little steep for the amount of time you might ultimately get from it, so I’d recommend installing the mobile version and giving it a go on the commute to work or on the toilet and see if it’s the sort of experience you’d enjoy on the PC. This aside, it certainly does seems like it would make for an equally fun mobile experience, but it doesn’t do anything exceptionally different than what most people have seen in an infinite runner before.