Starwahl Devs Releasing Pizza Titan Ultra April 25th

Ottawa developer Breakfall announced their next game - Pizza Titan Ultra - will be heading to Steam on April 25th. The third person game will have you smash through a futuristic city in a mech suit to...you guessed it, deliver pizza.

Pizza Titan Ultra is a fast paced 3rd-person action platformer focused on fighting and smashing through a futuristic city, in a giant mech, to deliver pizza. Experience arcadey action with speedy attacking and dodging, while attempting to control the massive weight of a 10 storey mobile

The game will feature 32 "crazy pizza delivery" missions, and "4 hours of Saturday morning level entertainment with a campaign of VIP (Very Important Pizza) deliveries." You can check out the trailer and developer playthrough below - but also check out the Steam page to add to your wishlist.

Pizza Titan Ultra is a fast paced 3rd-person action platformer focused on fighting and smashing through a futuristic city, in a giant mech, to deliver pizza. Experience arcadey action with speedy attacking and dodging, while attempting to control the massive weight of a 10 storey mobile pizzeria - just try not to make too much of a mess!

Playthrough of the Pizza Titan Ultra alpha demo build with developer commentary by Mike from Breakfall. This demo has the customization garage, a VIP delivery, and free delivery mode.

The game will be out on Steam on April 25th.

Interview - Skies of Fury DX Developer

Skies of Fury DX is coming out to Switch this week on April 12th, and I was fortunate to site down with Dan Stopnicki, the Chief Innovation Officer at Seed Interactive. In the talk we go over Dan's history as a game developer, talk about Seed Innovation's previous games on mobile, then we go in depth about their first console experience: Skies of Fury DX.

What's it like from going from mobile to Switch? What did they go with Switch, and Skies of Fury? All that a more! Check it out below!

Remember to subscribe on iTunes and Google Play!

25 New Minutes of Below (4K 60FPS) From IGN

Below is at PAX East this weekend, and IGN got 25 new minutes of gameplay of the upcoming Xbox One exclusive. Check it out below:

We go hands on with the most recent build of Below running at 4K 60FPS on an Xbox One X. Below Gameplay Showcase - IGN Live: E3 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp7_UhTOcD4 Watch more trailers here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xSIIbMSVeE&list=PLraFbwCoisJAvwhU-EjfZNFqj5jlAk8hk&index=1&t=0s Subscribe to IGN for more! http://www.youtube.com/user/IGNentertainment?sub_confirmation=1 ------------------------------­---- Follow IGN for more!

Level Up 2018 Showcases The Best New Game Developers

Stephen R Clark checked out LevelUp last night and gave me some of his thoughts about the event, and pictures. You can follow him on Twitter at @theMediaman3.

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The Game Development scene has exploded over the last few years and that’s in no small part to all the Ontario post-secondary education programs focusing on video game development. Just as these students are preparing for exams, Level Up 2018 showcases many of the team and solo projects built by Ontario’s newest game developers.

Level Up is a free event hosted on two floors at the Design Exchange in the heart of downtown Toronto. More than a dozen college and university programs send students to show off their hard work and compete for awards.

Additional sponsorship of the event comes from partners AMD, Ubisoft, Microsoft, Zynga and more; all are looking for the next generation of innovative game designers and artists. There’s no shortage of innovation as traditional game genres are mashed up, reinvented, and perfected.

There were four categories of completion; Best Tech, Best Art, People’s Choice, and Best Overall Game:

Technical Innovation:

PRIMEOPS (UOIT)

Artistic Achievement:

That Night (OCAD)

People’s Choice:

Stop Running (Brock U)

Best Overall:

Super Random Heroes (Sheridan)

OddBird Studio created Super Random Heroes. The team is also known Arrow Heads, which is available on Steam and Xbox One, and soon on PS4. Super Random Heroes grants random (though not always enviable) superpowers to ordinary citizens. The twisted humour and creative gameplay make it an quick game to pick up. Still in early development, the game only has one level and three superpowers. The game is targeted for release in 2020 so there should be many more unique skills and scenes to play by then.

Super Random Heroes also received funding recently at the EGLX Pitch Competition. Several other games that were present at EGLX less than four weeks ago and showed considerable improvement at Level Up 2018. Skies of Iris, Head Rush and Critterbox were also refined following user feedback. Wanderfall, Kojiki54% and Godsend look a lot better after massive graphics and lighting work. Godsend also refined their gameplay and shows a lot of potential as your hero possesses different enemies in order to solve puzzles.

Zephyr didn’t win any awards but should also receive mention since it placed 2nd or 3rd in Best Art, Best Overall, and People’s Choice. At first it looks like a standard 3D platformer, but with the control to immediately switch seasons to Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter the gameplay and visuals make Zephyr unique and fun to play.

Since students are at the end of their school year, most of these games are as complete as they’ll ever be. Many will be posted to Itch.io, others will get a full release on Steam. Many will simply become portfolio pieces as their developers enter the gaming industry. Ontario’s Indie game industry is growing, and each year there are a lot of creative minds at Level Up Showcase to fuel it.

Remember to check out Stephen R Clark on Twitter, and also GeekDad.

Russian Subway Dogs Releases This Year And Features Guest Doggos

We've known about Russian Subway Dogs coming to PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita since late last year, but Spooky Squid Games did announce on the PlayStation Blog that it's coming this year - with some extra friends!

Welcome, comrades! Meet Russian Subway Dogs, a fast-paced action-arcade game inspired by the real-life stray dogs of the Moscow Metro. We have done extensive, totally legal research in order to fine tune this chaotic simulation for what it's like to scavenge for food from Russian commuters.

Lead Designer Miguel Sternberg talked about being able to play as different dogs, including some that are inspired by DrinkBox Studios, and Asteroid Base properties - but the full list is below:

• Meme hero, Question Hound (aka “the This is Fine Dog”) from the comic Gunshow.
• Revolutionary canines Nacho and Rad Shiba from the PS Vita game VA-11 HALL-A
• Hybrid trash vermin, the Ratcoon, from action roguelike Ruin of the Reckless.
• Our own demonic Clawed Kitty, inspired by our previous game, They Bleed Pixels.
• The Proletaricat, your boss and head feline of the pack.
• Uay Chivo from Guacamelee!
• Doppler and Kepler from Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
• Fidel, dungeon delving doggo from the turn-based dungeon puzzler Fidel Dungeon Rescue
• Nidhogg

Russian Subway Dogs is planned for PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita later this year.

Far Cry 5 Fastest Selling Game In Franchise History

Ubisoft announced today that Far Cry 5 has become the fastest selling Far Cry game in franchise history. Digital Distribution accounted for 50% of the games total sales, which is also the second biggest launch in Ubisoft history - trailing on 2016's The Division.

Along with the announcement, Ubisoft also provided some fun facts about the game such as the 5.1 million fish gamers have caught since the games launch last week. Check them out below and see you in Hope County.

Illumination Games Flying Onto Nintendo Switch This Month With Skies of Fury DX

Sorry for the corny title, but I had to. Good news today for Switch owners, as Illumination Games announced a release date for their first console game - Skies of Fury DX. Skies of Fury DX is a Switch port of the mobile game released last year that features over 100 millions. You can check out the full trailer below.

"Take to the skies and experience WWI as a fighter pilot! Skies of Fury DX offers players the chance to engage in epic, aerial combat in historic Bloody April, 1917, as both British and German pilots.

Using 10 distinctive aircraft from WWI, players fly through stunning, hand-painted environments. Dogfight through the missions as a single player, or challenge your friends to multiplayer, split-screen battles."

Take to the skies and experience WWI as a fighter pilot! Skies of Fury DX offers players 10 distinctive aircraft to engage in epic, aerial combat in historic Bloody April, 1917. Dogfight through the missions as a single player, or challenge your friends to a multiplayer, split-screen battle.

Skies of Fury DX will be available April 12th on Nintendo Switch and you can preorder the game right now.

The trailer is live! Skies of Fury DX is coming #NintendoSwitch April 12th and is available for pre-purchase now!🛩️🕹️#nindies #eShop https://t.co/Ii7JofojbW

— Illumination Games (@Illum_Games) April 4, 2018

Runbow Developer Announced New Game: Double Cross

Our friends over at 13AM Games announced their newest game today - Double Cross, which was announced for Nintendo Switch and PC. Double Cross is a 2D platformer, where you're also given a "proton slinger" which let's you grab onto objects as you traverse through the level - but you can check that out in the trailer below.

Developed by 13AM Games, the studio behind award-winning Runbow, Double Cross features an adventure-game style investigation crossed with an intense action platformer. Players are also free to customize Zahra's play style in order to become the top RIFT agent. official site: http://www.13amgames.com/ facebook: https://www.facebook.com/13AMGAMES twitter: https://twitter.com/13amgames

"Double Cross is an exciting action adventure game that has players take on the role of Zahra,
an agent of RIFT—Regulators of Interdimensional Frontiers and Technology— whose job it is
to maintain peace and order between all dimensions. A recent attack on RIFT headquarters
thrusts players into a thrilling new case where they must use their RIFT-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 RIFT’s attacker and save every variation of the universe."

Double Cross is announced for Switch and PC with a planned release date of this year. If you're at PAX this weekend you can also check it out.

Welcome to the world of Double Cross! A high-flying platformer/adventure game hybrid coming to #NintendoSwitch and #PC later this year! Come check it out at #PAXEast2018! : https://t.co/u2N49tXU88

— 13AM Games ✈️ PAX EAST (@13amgames) April 3, 2018

Capybara Games Says Below Is Coming This Year

According to a recent interview with engadget Below, the much-delayed adventure game from Capybara Games, is expected to release this year.

"I still can't say the exact date, but we are aiming for this year -- although we've said that over and over, so," [Kris] Piotrowski says. "We have all the systems in place and now we're kind of going deeper and deeper through the world, and polishing and trying to just get it all packaged up."

Below was originally announced during E3 2013, but the extra time has helped Capybara put some polish on the game. Below will run at 4K and 60fps on Xbox One X and they are finalizing the beginning and ending of the game:

"Piotrowski says the development team is putting the final touches on Below -- polishing its intro and outro sections and fine-tuning details across the entire game. Though Capy has a track record of promising a launch and later backing off, this time around it feels different to Piotrowski. After five years of public development, he says Capy is truly, finally, almost done with Below."

Below is planned for Xbox One, and PC and we'll have more on the game as we get it, but remember to check out OK K.O! Let's Play Heroes which came out earlier this year from Capybara Games.

March Recap - Interviews, Far Cry 5, Way of the Passive Fist, and More

Going to start recapping each month, so here we go! It was a busy month.

• Guacamelee! 2 is announced for Steam, while Jake interviewed the composer for the first game.
• Far Cry 5 came out for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC's. You can also check out the trailer for the games season pass.
• Far Cry 5 wasn't the only release, Way of the Passive Fist from Household Games also came out for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
• In announcements, Star Renegades was announced for PC, Runbow is coming to PS4 and Switch this month, and Grip is coming to consoles and PC.
• We did two interviews this month! Jason Canam from Household Games talked about Way of the Passive Fist, as well as his time at Drinkbox Studios, and trophies.
• I also interviewed Twitch Streamer SteelRain27 about how he became a streamer, and his thoughts on the video game scene lately.

Until next month! Friendly reminder we just started a Discord server, so come join the fun.

Far Cry 5 Gaming Headset Announced

With the release of Far Cry 5, it's time for swag! Thrustmaster Canada announced two new gaming headsets with Far Cry 5 styles, specifically designed for the games coop mode.

You can check out the full press release below, and check them out at the Thrustmaster booth #19085 at PAX.

THRUSTMASTER LAUNCHES TWO NEW GAMING HEADSETS

SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO HELP CO-OP TEAMS

INFILTRATE THE WORLD OF FAR CRY 5

Montreal, March 26, 2018 — Thrustmaster is channeling its expertise in gaming headsets into the launch of Far Cry 5 with the release of two multiplatform models, the Y-350CPX and Y-300CPX Far Cry 5 Editions, allowing co-op teams to completely immerse themselves into the awe-inspiring sonic universe of Eden’s Gate.  Both units are available now for $99.99 and $59.99 respectively for PS4™, Xbox One® and PC.

Limited Far Cry 5 Editions

As part of one of 2018’s biggest video game releases and providing Far Cry teams with an edge in co-op play, Thrustmaster is launching two limited-edition Far Cry 5 headsets. Using these headsets, gamers can experience all the intense action taking place in Hope County, Montana – where a fanatical doomsday cult, Eden’s Gate, reigns through terror and violence.

Y-350CPX 7.1 Powered Far Cry 5 Edition

With the Y-350CPX 7.1 Powered Far Cry 5 Edition, Thrustmaster offers a high-end headset with unmatched performance sporting the distinctive colors and look of Far Cry 5. The Y-350CPX provides high-resolution audio with perfect reproduction of bass frequencies for optimal reproduction of in-game explosions, balanced mids for stable transmission of other players’ voices, and unsaturated treble for crystal-clear sounds of incoming fire.

With co-op play a primary component of Far Cry 5, the Y-350CPX Far Cry 5 Edition will be the “go-to” choice for that mode thanks to an impressive range of features:

• High-performance microphone: unidirectional, detachable and adjustable. Designed to only target the player’s voice for the most effective communication with teammates, and the least amount of interference.
• Y Sound Commander unit for customizable control of the integrated 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound technology, an on/off mic switch, and the ability to toggle the ability to hear your own voice through the headset.
• 60 mm/2.36” drivers for the most powerful bass available in the console gaming market.
• Memory foam cushions for effective passive isolation, combined with electronic bass boost built into the controller, provides double electro-acoustic bass amplification.
• Professional-grade fit and finish with memory foam cushions, noise-reducing foam microphone cover and a red, white & blue braided cable.

Y-300CPX Far Cry 5 Edition

The Y-300CPX Far Cry 5 Edition is the high-fidelity stereo version of the Y-350CPX model. The Y-300CPX ensures a perfect balance between bass, mids and treble thanks to very high-performance audio rendering, with an ideal frequency response curve for the soundscape in Far Cry 5. Using this headset, co-op teams will have all of their senses on high alert in the game’s particularly demanding environments:

• Unidirectional, detachable and adjustable microphone, for perfect customization.
• 50 mm/1.97” drivers.
• Exclusive double electro-acoustic bass amplification technology.
• Multifunctional controller to adjust the game’s audio levels, as well as the bass level.

* Subject to the Nintendo Switch™ chat function limitations / Splitter cable required: included with the Y-350CPX model, not included with the Y-300CPX model.

Guacamelee! 2 Announced For Steam

Announced late last year at PlayStation Experience, DrinkBox Studios announced today that Guacamelee! 2 will be coming to Steam - infact you can add the game to your Steam wishlist today!

We're excited to announce that Guacamelee! 2 is coming to Steam!

If you're thinking of picking up the game, we'd love it if you could add us to your Steam Wishlist. Every person helps!https://t.co/B8U1vaYvqb

— Drinkbox Studios (@DrinkBoxStudios) March 30, 2018

Both versions of the game are said to be coming "soon", however to celebrate, DrinkBox put all their games on massive sales on Steam so check it out!

Far Cry 5 Out Now On PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC

We've talked about it for a while now, but Ubisoft's next entry in the Far Cry franchise is out, available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.  There is also a season pass if you're looking to expand your game a bit.

I've been playing the game and enjoying it quite a bit. It's familiar Far Cry goodness with a few changes (some good, some bad) - we'll have a review later next week. Until then, check out the official trailer!

Far Cry 5 is here! Spark a resistance to take back Hope County from the fanatic doomsday cult that has taken control. Learn more at farcry.com. Far Cry 5 Is Available Now.

UBISOFT ANNOUNCES FAR CRY® 5 IS NOW AVAILABLE

Join the Resistance Against a Fanatical Doomsday Cult as Far Cry Comes to America

 Montreal — March 27, 2018 — Today, Ubisoft announced that Far Cry® 5, the latest installment of the award-winning Far Cry franchise, is now available for a suggested retail price of $79.99 on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC. In addition, Far Cry 5 has been enhanced with additional features for PS4™Pro systems. Far Cry 5 is rated M for Mature.

Set in America, a first for the franchise, Far Cry 5 offers players total freedom to navigate a serene-looking yet deeply twisted world as the new junior deputy of fictional Hope County, Montana. Players will find that their arrival accelerates a years-long silent coup by a fanatical doomsday cult, the Project at Eden's Gate, igniting a violent takeover of the county. Under siege and cut off from the rest of the world, players will join forces with residents of Hope County and form the Resistance.

Far Cry 5, developed by Ubisoft Montreal in collaboration with other studios,* is a first-person shooter set in a completely open world. Players will have the freedom of choice, wrapped in an immersive story with memorable characters, where they can experience Far Cry Moments: unpredictable and unforgettable moments in the game – like getting attacked by a bear while quietly fishing or being rescued by Boomer at just the right time. Players can play any way they want, including recruiting Guns for Hire, Fangs for Hire and a Friend for Hire, which allows players to play the entire game in co-op, a franchise first.

Far Cry 5 also includes Far Cry® Arcade, the biggest and most versatile map editor mode for the Far Cry series. In Far Cry Arcade, players can create new scenarios by utilizing assets from other titles in the series, as well as other Ubisoft franchises, including Assassin’s Creed® IV Black Flag®, Assassin’s Creed® Unity or Watch_Dogs®, for solo, co-op or competitive experiences.

Players can also purchase the Gold Edition of Far Cry 5, which includes the base game, season pass and bonus content, for $129.99 or digitally for $119.99. The Far Cry 5 season pass transports players to uncanny adventures across three unique settings with the upcoming DLCs – Hours of Darkness, Dead Living Zombies and Lost on Mars – and more. On top of that, players who purchase the season pass for PS4™ and Xbox One get Far Cry® 3 Classic Edition at no additional cost, while PC players get the full version of Far Cry® 3 at no extra cost on May 29. Far Cry 3 Classic Edition will also be available as a standalone purchase on June 26.

For more information on Far Cry 5, please visit farcry.com and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/farcry.usa and on Twitter at twitter.com/farcrygame or hashtag #farcry5.

For the latest on Far Cry 5 and other Ubisoft games, please visit news.ubisoft.com.

*Associate Ubisoft studios are Toronto, Kiev, Shanghai, Reflections, Bucharest and Pune.

ABOUT UBISOFT

Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2016–17 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,460 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2012–2018 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed, Black Flag, Watch Dogs, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries. Far Cry 3, Far Cry 3 Classic Edition, and Far Cry 5 based on Crytek’s original Far Cry directed by Cevat Yerli.

Futuristic Racer Grip Announced For Consoles

Happy GDC! Caged Element has announced their futuristic racer Grip will be making the jump from Steam (which has been out since the summer) to Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Switch. They've patterned with Wired Productions to work on the port.

Racers! We’ve teamed up with @WiredP to bring GRIP to PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch this year, both digitally and in stores! Thank you for all your support so far, more details will be revealed in the coming weeks and months! #GRIPthegame pic.twitter.com/p9Bdfpplaa

— GRIP Video Game (@gripvideogame) March 20, 2018

Grip's Game Director Chris Mallinson took to the PlayStation Blog to talk about Caged Element, and even threw in a bit about what sounds like free post-launch DLC:

Caged Element was formed and we started work on Grip – a combat racer for the new generation. We’ve had a wealth of talent join us over the years – all of them being fans of our inspiration, and most of them having previous racing game experience. The latter comes in handy for sure, but when the cars in your game can drive on any surface and on either side, the challenge of creating interesting and balanced tracks is amplified. Thankfully, we’re confident that when the game launches, players will appreciate the wealth of track designs we’ve come up with. And there’s more to come after launch – all of them being free.

GRIP is a high octane, hardcore combat racer, packing ferocious speed and armed to the teeth with heavy weapons. www.gripvideogame.com | www.facebook.com/gripvideogame | www.twitter.com/gripvideogame Evolved from the age of street racing, the world of GRIP is brutal and cut-throat to the core.

We don't have a release date yet, but if you have no patience you can check the game out on Steam Early Access.

Interview - Jason Canam From Household Games

Our first audio-interview! We've put the podcast on hold for he time being, and instead we'll be doing interview with local developers/people. Bret and I have a few ideas on hand as well.

First up is Jason Canam from Household Games who just recently released Way of the Passive Fist on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Jason and I chat about his time at Drinkbox Studios, starting Household Games, accessibility in games, trophies/achievements and more!

Check it out and remember to subscribe on iTunes.